Pikes Peak Flyfishers May 2026 Newsletter

April 25, 2026 THE PIKES PEAK FLYFISHERS http://www.pikespeakflyfishers.com

President's Hatch Low Water Conditions & Outlook Low water seasons test more than just our technical skills—they challenge our patience, observation, and adaptability. As we move into late spring, early indications suggest the South Platte River may run below average flows in certain stretches due to a lighter snowpack in parts of the basin. That said, there are growing signals of a cooler, wetter May, which could stabilize conditions and provide some relief. In low water, success often comes down to stealth, precise presentations, and fishing during optimal windows. These are the conditions that sharpen anglers—and reward those willing to slow down and think like the fish. 2026 Club Auction Success We're coming off an outstanding 2026 club auction, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed, donated, volunteered, and participated. Together, we raised $11,500, which directly supports our community service efforts, club picnic, annual banquet, and ongoing operating expenses. This level of support is what allows our club to continue making a meaningful impact in programs like Project Healing Waters, Casting for Recovery, Boy Scouts, Special Needs children, and beyond. Annual Club Picnic – June 6 A reminder that our annual club picnic will be held on Saturday, June 6th, beginning at 9:00 AM at Manitou Lake. Immediate family members are welcome and encouraged to attend. Lunch will be catered by Roy's Crew BBQ at 12:00 noon, so plan to come hungry. Bring your float tubes, rods, and gear—we'll have plenty of time to fish and enjoy the day together. CLICK HERE to contact Dave Hoover to secure your spot. Dave Hoover will have a sign-up sheet at the May 4 monthly meeting. Reservations will be taken through May 23rd to give Roy enough notice on how much food to prepare. Upcoming Club Trips We have a strong lineup of club trips coming up as we lean into stillwater opportunities and early season access. From our overnight outing at DeWeese Reservoir to Spinney, South Slope, and North Catamount, there are options for everyone. Be sure to review the dates, locations, and details in the trip schedule below and make plans to join us on the water. Volunteer Opportunities As we move into a busy stretch of the season, we continue to rely on the strength of our membership to support club initiatives. Below are upcoming volunteer opportunities: May 2 and May 16–17 – Trout Unlimited Willow Cutting and Planting (see flyer for details) May 12 – Adaptive Athletics Field Day for special needs children, 8:30 AM at Homestead Park in Peyton. Contact Kevin Thomason to sign up. Your involvement, whether it's time, expertise, or mentorship—makes a real difference and is what sets this club apart. Closing Thought "Fly fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it." — Harry Middleton Tight lines,   Kevin Thomason President

Programs    May 4 – Ken Iwamasa – Ken is an accomplished college professor, author, guide, instructor, artist, fly designer, and of course, fly fisherman. He will talk about some favorite flies and waters.   June – No meeting (Picnic)   July 6 – Michele White – Michele will talk about her new book, The Bucket List, about fly fishing top private waters in the area. Michele White is a prominent figure in the Colorado fly fishing scene, known for her expertise as a certified professional fly fishing guide, author, and outfitter of Tumbling Trout Fly Shop in Lake George, Colorado. She is also actively involved in conservation as the VP of Financial Development for the Pikes Peak Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Michele has a diverse background - she initially pursued a symphonic career (bassoon) in New York City but ultimately shifted her path to geology. She holds a master's degree in Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits with a minor in Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Michele discovered her passion for fly fishing after moving back to Colorado from New York City through the tutelage of her future husband, Doug White. Together, they've been fly fishing and rowing their dory on the Great Rivers of the West for over 20 years. They are both certified boat handlers. Fly fishing specialties - South Park. Michele specializes in guiding and exploring tributaries of the South Platte River in South Park, Colorado, including Tarryall River and the high alpine headwaters in the Mosquito Range. South Park is a high alpine (9,000 ft elevation) basin between mountain ranges of up to 12,000 ft. Publications Michele White (nee Murray) was a contributing editor/writer for Mountain Gazette literary journal. Her humorous outdoors and traveling essays have been published in Discover the Outdoors, EQUUS, Fly Fishing World, Native People's Magazine, New Tribal Dawn, and The Aquarian (as Michele Murray). Her fly fishing books (Michele White) include:  "Subaru-able Brookie Venues in South Park, Colorado: Easily Drive, Park, and Fly Fish the High Country", (2021) "Joe Schmo Can Catch a Big Fish", (2020) "Between the Rivers", fly fishing stories with co-authors, Al Marlowe and Karen Christopherson, (2019) "Lesser Known Fly Fishing Venues of South Park", (2017) "Eulogies and Dead Horses", (2016) Tenkara - Michele is a certified Tenkara guide, (fly fishing without a reel using soft hackle flies), she finds particularly suitable for senior citizens, or people with mobility issues (she enjoys guiding older anglers). Fly Tying - Michele is an expert fly tyer and has participated in several fly tying clinics as a Featured Tyer, tying her personal patterns, such as the "Cancan Girl". In summary - Michele White combines a technical scientific background and passion for the outdoors to share her knowledge and love of fly fishing, especially in the lesser-known waters of South Park, Colorado.   August 3 – Erin Hale, Cord 3 Outfitters – Idaho and Wyoming fly fishing.   September – No meeting due to Labor Day holiday.   October 5 – (tentative) Cat Toy, Blue Quill Angler – Cat is one of Colorado's most sought-after guides and innovative fly tiers. She will talk about her favorite patterns and waters.   November 2 – Annual Banquet – Greg Felt, Arkanglers – Greg is General Manager and CEO of the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District and will talk about the structure, hydrology, and other aspects of this important fishery.   December 7 -- Open   Charlie Huff Program Director

2026 PPCTU Willow Project  May 2 - Harvest Willows  May 16 & 17 – Plant Willows  Project: PPCTU Willow Project includes 1 day of harvesting willow (May 2) at H.E.A.R.T., Badger Basin SWA and 2 days of planting 2 weeks later (May 16 & 17) on Dream Stream. Interested volunteers can sign up at ppctu.org or contact me. Please specify the date you can attend.  Contact: Pat Stout – (719)244-7605 or jpatrick.stout@ppctu.org  Where To Meet: May 2nd – 9:00 a.m. at H.E.A.R.T. Badger Basin SWA (see map). May 16/17th-9:00 a.m. at the Charlie Meyers SWA parking lot on Thirtynine (39) Mile Road.  Directions from Colorado Springs: May 2nd Take HWY 24 to Hartsel-Turn Right on Mariposa Ave to Last SWA per Map. May 16/17th - Take HWY 24 west to CO Rd 23 (aka San Juan St.). Turn left on CO Rd 23 and travel ~ 2.8 miles to CO Rd 59. Turn left on CO Rd 59 and go to 39 Mile Rd. Turn right and proceed to the Charlie Meyers SWA (Dream Stream) parking lot side of the stream by bridge. We will have a TU Event sign at the entrance OF EACH EVENT.  PPCTU will supply the necessary tools for the weekend effort. Each day we will have the chuckwagon on site to feed the volunteers.  Volunteers Should Bring:  Appropriate Clothing for the weather - Raincoat, Hiking Shoes, or Boots - Work Gloves Sunscreen, sunglasses & Hat - Waders (optional) - Any necessary Medication - Folding Chair for Lunch – Signed Liability Sheet

Rod Building We are taking a couple of weeks off to let everyone finish wrapping their guides and applying the epoxy on the wraps.  We will meet again on May 11 to celebrate your completed rods.   Charlie Huff Dave Hoover

Trips   Club Trips & Adventures As we move into peak fishing season, we've updated our upcoming club trips to take advantage of improving conditions and new opportunities. We're continuing to focus on Stillwater fisheries while keeping an eye on flows and temperatures for future adjustments. May 1–3 – DeWeese Reservoir (Overnight Trip) We're kicking things off with a weekend outing to Lake DeWeese near Westcliffe. Trip Details: Departure: Mid-morning Friday Return: Mid-morning Sunday Camping: Dispersed camping on the west side of the lake (County Road 220) Weather – Long Range Forecast is calling for rain so plan accordingly.  Please bring your camper or tent and be prepared for potential fire restrictions. Fishing Opportunities Include: Lake DeWeese: Trout, tiger muskie, and smallmouth bass Nearby waters: Grape Creek and the Arkansas River Boats, pontoons, and shore fishing are all productive options. If you can't stay overnight, feel free to join for the day. Westcliffe offers nearby food and amenities. For specific directions and timing contact Kevin Thomason.  Contact: Kevin Thomason – kuduhunterkudu@gmail.com Additional updates will be shared as the trip approaches. May 14 – Spinney Reservoir (Stillwater Trip) (Updated date) Join us for a Stillwater outing targeting quality trout at one of Colorado's premier fisheries. Trip Details: Fishing: Shore fishing and hand-launched boats Meeting Location: Parking lot near the second bathroom on the right after entering the park This is a great opportunity to chase larger fish in a proven Stillwater environment. June 4 – South Slope Recreation Area (Day Trip) (New Trip Added) We'll take advantage of early access to this unique fishery as the South Slope opens for the season. Trip Details: For reservations go to https://pikespeakcolorado.aluvii.com/event $15 per car Meet at Safeway on West Colorado at 6:00 AM if want to go as a group Expect cooler temperatures, less pressure, and excellent early summer fishing. June 9th – North Catamount Reservoir (Day Trip) (changed from June 17th) We'll head up the pass for a scenic day of fishing at North Catamount Reservoir. Trip Details: Fishing: Shore fishing Meeting Time & Location: 8:00 AM at the parking lot at the end of Ed Lowe Road This high-elevation lake offers a beautiful setting and consistent early summer action. June/July – TBD – Evening trip to Dream Stream/Tomahawk for mouse and streamers for big brown trout. Depending on flows.  July – TBD – Tarryall Reservoir   Kevin Thomason President

Fly Tying   There is a particularly tough spot on the Arkansas in Salida that I have never been able to reach. The run is on the far bank, and I can't wade close to it. I have to cast across the middle to end of a fast riffle, which results in the current(s) catching my fly line and dragging my nymphing rig or dry fly, ruining the drift. I'm not even able to high stick the drift, as the run is too far out. During a presentation at the Denver Fly Show, I had an AH HA moment to use a streamer, which I have not really used on the river (unless a mini-leach counts). Later, I was talking to Jim Mendenhall about this, and lo and behold, he showed up at the next meeting with a small streamer fly called a Pocket Dweller. The Pocket Dweller is a Fulling Mill pattern tied in three different colors: olive, brown, and ginger, and only on a size 16 Jig Force Short hook. Unfortunately, I was unable to find an official video or recipe for tying the fly. I did find this video that uses different materials for the belly, but has some techniques that work for this fly. Here is the recipe I used: The hook is a size 16 Jig Force Short Black Nickel Barbless Fulling Mill hook. The beads are 3.2mm to 3.8mm slotted in olive, brown, and copper. Thread is 8/0 or 6/0 in either olive or some variation of brown; the final fly will not have any tread showing. I think the belly is Salty Fiber or Salty Flash Fiber from Fulling Mill. I used Hareline Ice Wing 8" Fiber in Pearl UV Hue or UV Pearl Minnow Mix.  The overwing is mallard flank in olive, brown, and ginger. The eyes are chartreuse adhesive eyes in 1/8" or 1/4" size (I used Hareline's 1/8" Yellow Black eyes). Clear UV resin for the head and eyes. To tie this fly: Add the bead to the hook and lock it down with thread wraps. Strip out some of the belly fibers and try to straighten them out. You should have a nice clump, not too thick and not too thin. Tie the fibers in at the midpoint onto the top of the hook, just behind the bead. Now fold the fibers back over and secure with a couple of wraps (don't wrap too far back, as you don't want a big head). Select a couple of mallard flank feathers. You can use one and strip off each side for the sides of the fly or use two whole feathers, one on each side. If you can, rotate your vice so the hook is up. This makes it easier to ensure the mallard feathers are on the correct side of the hook shank, as the fly will ride hook up and you want the feathers on the top. Tie in the feathers one at a time and one on each side of the hook. You want to make sure the feathers curve into the hook and stay on the hook side of the shank (making them look like the back of a bait fish when the hook rides hook side up in the water). Continue to make wraps just behind the hook eye to make a nice flat base for the adhesive eyes. Whip finish. Now add the eyes to each side, just behind the bead. Use whatever technique that works for you. I used a bodkin to pull the eyes off the sheet and placed them on the fly (I did not use super glue or resin to adhere the eyes to the body). Finally, use UV resin to secure the eyes and build up a nice round head with multiple layers, cured between layers. Here is the final fly I tied in brown mallard:

Pocket Dweller

So, I tried this fly on the Arkansas and caught a couple of browns and one 16" rainbow in a three-rock pocket! It is lighter than I needed to reach that spot on the other side of the riffle, but I'm still happy with the results. Happy tying. Greg Walters

Kevin Thomason with a big Boxwood Rainbow

Kevin Thomason with another nice Boxwood Rainbow

Ed Buck and Kevin Thomason with a pair of nice Boxwood Rainbows

Greg Walters with a huge Bighorn Rainbow

Greg Walters with another nice Bighorn Rainbow

Greg Walters with a huge Bighorn Brown

Greg Walters with another nice Bighorn Brown

Kevin Thomason with a big Antero Cutbow on a trip with Landon Mayer

Kevin Thomason with another big Antero Cutbow on his trip with Landon

Kevin Thomason with his first Tiger Trout caught at Rainbow Falls

2026 Board of Directors President  - Kevin Thomason - kuduhunterkudu@gmail.com - 910-617-4714 Vice President - Dave Hoover - trouthunterdave@gmail.com  -719-330-2907 Secretary - Ed Buck - edward.f.buck@gmail.com Treasurer - Dennis Erenberger -  derenberger63@gmail.com Programs - Charlie Huff - chuff59@earthlink.net Membership Director - Open Trip Director -  Kevin Thomason - kuduhunterkudu@gmail.com - 910-617-4714 Web Master - Greg Walters - pwdrhound@pcisys.net Newsletter Editor - Dave Hoover - trouthunterdave@gmail.com Fly Tying - Greg Walters - pwdrhound@pcisys.net Gear - Tom Mitchell - raftmanmitch@yahoo.com Fly Casting - Open Member at Large - Lou Lathon - loulathon@comcast.net  Member at Large - Paul Gorley - pgourley53@yahoo.com  Member at Large - Jim Davis - jpd_davis2007@yahoo.com

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