Pikes Peak Flyfishers April 2026 Newsletter

March 28, 2026 THE PIKES PEAK FLYFISHERS http://www.pikespeakflyfishers.com

President's Hatch Click this link https://pikespeakflyfishers.com/ppf-2026-auction to go to the PPF website to see lists for the live and silent auctions. A Gilded Spring and the Lean Summer Ahead Spring has arrived in the High Country with an unusual, golden intensity. For the Colorado angler, the late March and early April windows are typically a game of dodging slush and waiting for the midday thaw. This year, however, the Blue Winged Olives are popping off with a fervor usually reserved for late April, and the trout—sensing a shift in the season's rhythm—are feeding aggressively in the crystal-clear, stable flows. There is a haunting beauty to these warm, t-shirt weather days on the Colorado River, but as we watch the banks, the underlying truth is hard to ignore: the "winter that wasn't" is leading us toward a very dry horizon. The rapid snowmelt we are seeing now is not the start of a healthy runoff; it is the premature end of a record-low snowpack. While the fishing is technical and rewarding today, we must prepare for a summer where water will be our most precious—and scarce resource.    By the Numbers: The 2026 Snow Drought The data from the SNOTEL network and the USDA tells a sobering story. As of late March, Colorado is facing its worst snowpack in over 40 years, with some basins trending toward the lowest levels ever recorded. River Basin % of Median Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) Peak Status Statewide Average 38% Peaked early (March 8) South Platte 52% Declining since March 17 Colorado Headwaters 43% Peaked March 9 Arkansas River 23% Record Low Upper Rio Grande 24% Critical Low "The conditions we are experiencing are unprecedented. We are roughly 7 to 8 feet of snow short of where we need to be." — Nathan Elder, Denver Water Manager of Water Supply Predictions for the Colorado Summer As we transition from a warm spring into what forecasts suggest will be a hotter and drier than normal summer, water managers and anglers alike are bracing for significant challenges: Record-Low Runoff: State engineers predict this could be the lowest runoff in 50 years, which means the "high water" season in May will be short-lived and underwhelming. Mandatory Restrictions: Denver Water has already declared a Stage 1 Drought, implementing mandatory watering restrictions starting in April. Expect other municipalities to follow suit as reservoir levels—currently around 80%—are expected to drop quickly without significant inflow. Warm Water Hazards: For the fishing community, low flows mean water temperatures will rise faster and stay higher. We anticipate "Hoot Owl" restrictions (fishing closures during the heat of the day) could arrive much earlier this year, possibly by late June.    Early Wildfire Season: With the snowpack peaking and melting nearly a month early, the "green-up" phase will be brief, leading to a potentially long and volatile wildfire season starting in the early summer months. Annual Fundraising Auction: Saturday, April 11th Mark your calendars for our premier event of the year! On Saturday, April 11th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, we will hold our annual fundraising auction. This year's lineup is staggering, featuring over 30 fishing trips spanning six states and international waters in Patagonia. Our silent auction will boast over 60 items, including high-end rods, premium fishing gear, and essential camping equipment. As this is the sole fundraiser for the Pikes Peak Flyfishers, the proceeds are vital; they cover our total operating expenses and fuel our various community service projects throughout the year. To ensure the maximum amount of your donation goes directly to these causes, we kindly recommend paying via cash or check to help the club avoid the processing fees associated with credit cards. However credit cards will be accepted. If you have items to donate for the yard sale or silent auction, please drop them off starting at 12:00 PM (noon) or contact Kevin Thomason for pickup.  Upcoming Club Adventures: Dream Stream & Deweese We have two fantastic outings lined up to take advantage of the spring conditions. On Wednesday, April 15th, join us for a day trip to the legendary Dream Stream to chase spring spawners and enjoy the wide-open South Park skies. Following that, we have an overnight excursion to Deweese Reservoir in Westcliffe from May 1st–3rd. This trip offers the best of both worlds: we have plans for both Stillwater fishing on the reservoir and nearby river trips. See the full itinerary and logistics in the "Trip Details" section below. Volunteer Opportunities: Giving Back to the Water Our community is only as strong as its volunteers, and we have several chances to help out this spring: May 12th: (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM)We need volunteers for the D-49 Adapted Athletics fishing event for special needs children. This is an incredibly rewarding day at Homestead Park. Please contact Kevin Thomason to sign up. April 16th: Trout Unlimited is looking for mentors to assist with fly tying classes at Ute Pass Elementary School. May 14th: TU is also hosting a fly-fishing class in Green Mountain Falls for the Ute Pass Elementary school and needs experienced hands to help. You can sign up directly on the TU Website or contact me for more details. Summer 2026 Outlook "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." — Norman Maclean Looking ahead, the Colorado Summer 2026 season will require an adaptive mindset. Due to the record-low snowpack, predictions show that peak runoff will be short-lived, concluding by mid-May. Anglers could anticipate personal and possibly mandatory limitations,  when water temps are close to 68-70 degrees (F) to be implemented as early as late June on major basins like the Upper Colorado, South Platte, and Arkansas. For the best success, prioritize high-altitude alpine lakes and headwater creeks where temperatures remain stable, and always carry a thermometer to ensure we are protecting the trout we love during this lean water year.   Kevin Thomason President

Programs    April – No meeting (Annual Auction) April 11 - Annual Auction   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) Jume 6 - Annual picnic at Manitou Lake Pavilion   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

Rod Building All five participants have their handles and reels seats assembled.  We move on to some practice wrapping guides at our next class and they will move on to wrapping their guides at home.   Charlie Huff Dave Hoover

Trips   Club Trips & Adventures Spring is here, and it's time to get back on the water. We've got a full lineup of trips to kick off the season—ranging from classic tailwaters to high-country Stillwater. April 16 – Dream Stream (Day Trip) Make plans to join us on Wednesday, April 15th for a day on the legendary Dream Stream. We'll meet at the first main parking lot at 8:00 AM and spend the day targeting trout in one of Colorado's most iconic fisheries. Let's kick off the 2026 fishing season with a great day on the water, good company, and hopefully a few memorable fish. May 1-3 – Deweese Reservoir (Overnight Trip) We're planning a weekend outing to Lake DeWeese near Westcliffe from May 1st through Sunday, May 3rd Departure: Mid-morning Friday  Return: Mid-morning Sunday  Camping: Dispersed camping on the west side of the lake (County Road 220)  Bring your camper or tent and be prepared for possibly a fire ban in the area.  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 great options. If you're unable to camp, feel free to join for the day. Westcliffe offers food and amenities nearby. For more details or to sign up, contact Kevin Thomason at kuduhunterkudu@gmail.com. Updates will be shared as the trip approaches. May 20 – Spinney Reservoir (Stillwater Trip) Join us on Wednesday, May 20th for a Stillwater outing at Spinney Reservoir for Monster Trout.  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 target quality fish in one of Colorado's premier Stillwater fisheries. June 17 – North Catamount Reservoir (Day Trip) We'll head up the pass on Wednesday, June 17th to fish North Catamount Reservoir. Fishing: Shore fishing  Meeting Time & Location: 8:00 AM at the parking lot at the end of Ed Lowe Road This high-elevation fishery offers a scenic setting and excellent early summer conditions. Looking Ahead Currently, we are focusing on Stillwater lakes for our club outings. As the season progresses, we may adjust or add destinations based on river flows and water temperatures. The South Slope Recreation Area opens May 28th, and we plan to schedule monthly trips there to take advantage of cooler, higher-elevation fishing opportunities throughout the summer. We look forward to seeing everyone out on the water—tight lines!   Kevin Thomason President

Fly Tying   While perusing fly tying articles and videos, I came across a video of Tim Flagler and Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outfitters that piqued my interest. The video, Fly Tying a Pheasant Tail Nymph with tightlinevideo posted to the Mad River Outfitters YouTube channel, talked about a new book titled Pheasant Tail Simplicity. The reason I was interested in the book was that Dennis Erenberger had just given me a number of pheasant tails from a recent hunting trip. The book provides only fly patterns made primarily from pheasant tails. So I picked one up from the Peak Fly Shop and started tying.

Pheasant Tail Flymph

The first fly in the book is the Pheasant Tail Flymph: "It is not a nymph.  It is not a fly.  It is a "Flymph"  and the word was coined by Vernon S. (Pete) Hidy to describe that stage of an insect's life when the nymph leaves the rather comfortable surroundings of the stream bed and swims up through the water column to hatch into the dun on the way to adulthood.  Today you might know it better as the emerger stage." https://www.oldhatflytying.com/what-is-a-flymph.html The difference between a pheasant tail flymph and a pheasant tail soft hackle is the hook. A flymph is tied on a 1x heavy hook and the soft hackle is tied on a lighter dry fly hook. Recipe for the Flymph: Hook: 1x heavy wide gap #8 to #20 (Umpqua UC610BL) Thread: 8/0 olive Ribbing: X-small to med. gold copper wire Tail: 4-8 pheasant tail barbs (4 for #14) Body: pheasant tail barbs Thorax: Peacock Ice Dub or peacock hurl Hackle: Gray Hungarian partridge or quail or other soft hackle substitutes Steps to tie the Flymph: Start with the thread just behind the hook eye and tie in the gold wire. Tie in the pheasant fibers for the tail and wrap the thread forward to about 1/3 behind the hook eye (leave plenty of space behind the eye!). Using the same fibers as the tail, wrap them forward and tie off at the 2/3 point. Wrap the wire forward to lock in the pheasant fibers and tie off at the 2/3 point. Add the Peacock Ice Dub (or peacock hurl), stopping just behind the hook eye. Tie in the tip of a partridge or other soft hackle feather and wrap no more than two times and tie it off. Build a small head and whip finish. In the video mentioned above (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMJKYVTCDvs&t=866s), Tim provides some tips and tricks for tying this fly, especially how to choose and tie in the soft hackle feather. Highly recommend watching the video if you choose to tie this fly. Happy tying! Greg Walters

Mike Van Epps with a big Dream Stream Cutbow on a trip with Blue Quill Anglers purchased at the 2025 PPF auction

Steve sleight with a Green River Brown

Kevin Thomason with a Green River Rainbow

Steve Sleight with a Green River Brown

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

Support our Sponsers!! Special Shout Out to our most excellent sponsor   The Peak Fly Shop 5632 Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (719) 260-1415

https://thepeakflyshop.com/

2026 - Rod Building

 Rod Building

February 9th was our first rod building class for the year.  We welcomed five club members to the rod building community.  The first class was a fast paced overview of rod building.  The assigned homework was to start doing research on the materials that they will need to build their rods.  The next classes will focus on tasks need to assemble their rods.

Charlie Huff
Dave Hoover

2026 - March Fly Tying

 

Fly Tying   Greg is under the weather this month, so I will fill in for him.  I am bringing back an article from about 2008 that John Gordon wrote on Ed Elkins' Green Wooly.  This was the go to fly for club trips on lakes. Any fly that Ed likes has got to be good.  This is the way that Ed originally tied the Green Wooly.  Recently I have seen him tie it on a jig hook now that the popularity of jig hooks has sky rocketed. Dave Hoover

Ed Elkins' Green Wooly Hook  Tiemco 2302 (size #12) Bead: Red Glass Bead Thread:  Olive 3/0 or 6/0 Tailing: Copper Krystal Flash and natural color (about medium dun) Turkey Marabou Hackle:  Olive Grizzly saddle hackle Body:  Olive Antron or Darlon #6 Olive 1.  Place red glass bead on the hook.  Start thread and wrap back to just above the hook barb. 2.   Fold copper Krystal flash strand over and over until you have enough for 8 strands. Tie in Krystal flash on top at the bend. 3.  Tie in the first clump of natural color turkey marabou on the side for the tail.  Keep this short in length and heavy about 5/16 inch past the hook bend.  Tie in a second clump of natural color turkey marabou on the other side.  Make sure the Krystal Flash is in the center between the two tail clumps of marabou. 4.  Select an olive grizzly hackle and tie it in tip first.  Be sure to hold the tailing materials when tying in the hackle at the bend. 5.  Tie in and wrap forward the olive Antron body and tie off. 6.  Take 2 or 3 close wraps of the hackle then palmer wrap the hackle forward to the red grass bead head.  Tie off and whip finish behind the bead head. 7.  Clip the copper Krystal Flash tail at a couple of different lengths. TIP from Jim Foster:  If the glass bead is lost (can break at times) the fly is up to 50% less effective.  I use red thread.  This leaves a small but important red attractor at the front.  This fly has worked outstandingly fishing it streamer style.  Trolling this fly behind a boat with a type 6 full sink line works very well also but you must impart acton in the fly.  For boat trolling method, use leader tapered to 3X fluorocarbon tippet (15 to 20 ft. total), and full fly line or more length out of the fly rod. Tip from Dave Hoover:  Several years ago the club had a trip to Sylvan Lake.  I was consistently getting hits on the fly, but no hook ups. Just before the trip I tied several of these flies with a stinger hook.  I used a small red egg hook with the bend of the hook even with the end of the marabou tail.  I used a light fire wire line to attach the stinger and cut off the main hook at the bend.  No more missed strikes and 63 brookies later the trip was over.

Pikes Peak Flyfishers March 2026 Newsletter

February 21, 2026 THE PIKES PEAK FLYFISHERS http://www.pikespeakflyfishers.com President's Hatch   A Changing Season: Watching the Waters As we transition into spring, there is a distinct shift in the air that calls us back to our favorite stretches of river. However, this year feels a bit different. With a lighter snowpack and an unseasonably warm start to the year, we find ourselves looking at the season ahead with both excitement and a touch of caution. The recent snows will help but how much is unknown. While we are eager to get back on the water, the reality of lower flows and rising water temperatures may change the way we fish this summer. We must remain mindful of the potential for "Hoot Owl" restrictions, temporary closures or asking for voluntary measures of not fishing aimed at protecting our trout during periods of heat stress. Now, more than ever, being a Flyfisher means being a steward of the river—staying informed, monitoring temperatures, and prioritizing the health of the fishery we all cherish Dust Off the Waders: Monthly Trips Return The wait is nearly over! We are thrilled to announce that our Monthly Fishing Trips will officially kick off this April. Whether you’re looking to perfect your dry and nymph fly presentation or just want to spend a day on the water with people who won’t judge your backcast, these outings are the heart of our club. You can find the full breakdown of dates, locations, and fly recommendations in the Monthly Trip Section below. Volunteers Needed: Adapted Athletics Field Day We have a special opportunity to give back to our community on Thursday, May 7th. We are looking for volunteers to assist with the Adapted Athletics Field Day for kids with special needs. We’ll be helping out from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. There’s nothing quite like the smile on a kid’s face when they connect with the outdoors, and we need your hands and hearts to make it happen. If you can spare a morning to help these incredible athletes, please sign up at the next meeting or reply to this email. The Big Catch: Fundraising Auction & Yard Sale Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 11th for our annual Fundraising Auction! This is our biggest event of the year, and the stakes are high—we have finalized an incredible lineup of trips spanning six states and Argentina. To make this event a success, we need your help with donations for our Silent Auction and Yard Sale table. If you have gear, art, or outdoor items to contribute, please contact Kevin Thomason to arrange a pickup. Let’s clear out those gear closets for a great cause! Don’t Get Caught Out: License Renewal Consider this your "Fair Warning" splash: Colorado fishing licenses expire on March 31st. Don’t be the person standing on the bank on April 1st with a trophy trout on the line and an expired card in your wallet. Grab your 2026-2027 license now so you’re ready for the first cast of the season. Membership Dues and Waivers It is very important to get your dues paid and most important to sign the waiver before attending the meetings or monthly club trips. Please send the dues to the club address or bring them to the meeting on Monday March 2nd. The dues help us meet out budgets for the community service projects, monthly meetings food, banquet, picnic and operating expenses such as computer program subscriptions, insurance, etc.   Peak Fly Shop Open Fly Tying Nights Put on your calendars for March 11th and 25th for the open fly tying nights at the Peak Fly Shop. All levels are welcome. Come learn or share a new technique when tying flies.  A Final Thought "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. To share that hope with a friend is to double the joy; to share it with a stranger is to grow a community." — Inspired by John Buchan As we head into this vibrant season, let’s make a point to invite someone new to the water. Whether it's a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend who has never held a rod, let’s grow the sport we love by sharing the peace that only a river can provide. March 11, 11 AM Lunch at Mollica's Lastly, don't forget our Lunch at Mollica's on March 11.  This will be our last luncheon for 2026.  Great food and a chance to have discussions about the sport that we all love.  See you there. Tight lines, Kevin Thomason President Programs    March 2  – Auction Trip Reports Pointer Outfitters - Patagonia - Kevin Thomason and Ed Buck Arkanglers Salida- float trip on Arkansas - Kevin Thomason and Greg Walters Upriver Outfitters Buena Vista high alpine lake - Kevin Thomason, Dave Hoover, Jim Davis Arcom Outfitters - San Juan River, NM walk wade - Kevin Thomason and Tom Burdette Naknek River Camps, Alaska – Jerry Radspinner Gunnison River Fly Shop and Ed’s Fly Shop - Gunnison River – Greg Walters and Jim White   April – No meeting (Annual Auction)   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.   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 – Open   December 7 – Open   Charlie Huff Program Director   Rod Building February 9th was our first rod building class for the year.  We welcomed five club members to the rod building community.  The first class was a fast paced overview of rod building.  The assigned homework was to start doing research on the materials that they will need to build their rods.  The next classes will focus on tasks need to assemble their rods. Charlie Huff Dave Hoover Trips    Pikes Peak Flyfishers Spring 2026 Monthly trip Schedule March 11 (11:00 AM): Winter Luncheon at Mollica’s Italian Market. Final winter social and season planning; no formal fishing trip scheduled due to long range weather forecasts showing low temperatures and moisture throughout March.  April 15: Lets join together on Tax Day by having a fishing day on the Dream Stream. We will meet at the main parking lot at 9:00 AM. We will be flexible depending on weather and flow conditions.  Late April/Early May (TBD): Potential Lake Deweese/Grape Creek/Arkansas river Overnight trip targeting trout, pike and muskie via shore, boat, float tube, or wading. Dates being considered are April 24–25 or May 1–2. The final date will be announced in the April newsletter. Upcoming Monthly Destinations: Future outings will include Skagway Reservoir/Beaver Creek, Jefferson Lake, Badger Basin/Tomahawk area,  Dream Stream,  Elevenmile Canyon, Tarryall Reservoir/Creek, the Arkansas River, Collard and Cline Ranches, High Alpine lakes and possibly others.  Please send suggestions of other options to kuduhunterkudu@gmail.com.   I look forward to seeing everyone on the river or reservoir this spring.  Kevin Thomason President Fly Tying   Greg is under the weather this month, so I will fill in for him.  I am bringing back an article from about 2008 that John Gordon wrote on Ed Elkins' Green Wooly.  This was the go to fly for club trips on lakes. Any fly that Ed likes has got to be good.  This is the way that Ed originally tied the Green Wooly.  Recently I have seen him tie it on a jig hook now that the popularity of jig hooks has sky rocketed. Dave Hoover Ed Elkins' Green Wooly Hook  Tiemco 2302 (size #12) Bead: Red Glass Bead Thread:  Olive 3/0 or 6/0 Tailing: Copper Krystal Flash and natural color (about medium dun) Turkey Marabou Hackle:  Olive Grizzly saddle hackle Body:  Olive Antron or Darlon #6 Olive 1.  Place red glass bead on the hook.  Start thread and wrap back to just above the hook barb. 2.   Fold copper Krystal flash strand over and over until you have enough for 8 strands. Tie in Krystal flash on top at the bend. 3.  Tie in the first clump of natural color turkey marabou on the side for the tail.  Keep this short in length and heavy about 5/16 inch past the hook bend.  Tie in a second clump of natural color turkey marabou on the other side.  Make sure the Krystal Flash is in the center between the two tail clumps of marabou. 4.  Select an olive grizzly hackle and tie it in tip first.  Be sure to hold the tailing materials when tying in the hackle at the bend. 5.  Tie in and wrap forward the olive Antron body and tie off. 6.  Take 2 or 3 close wraps of the hackle then palmer wrap the hackle forward to the red grass bead head.  Tie off and whip finish behind the bead head. 7.  Clip the copper Krystal Flash tail at a couple of different lengths. TIP from Jim Foster:  If the glass bead is lost (can break at times) the fly is up to 50% less effective.  I use red thread.  This leaves a small but important red attractor at the front.  This fly has worked outstandingly fishing it streamer style.  Trolling this fly behind a boat with a type 6 full sink line works very well also but you must impart acton in the fly.  For boat trolling method, use leader tapered to 3X fluorocarbon tippet (15 to 20 ft. total), and full fly line or more length out of the fly rod. Tip from Dave Hoover:  Several years ago the club had a trip to Sylvan Lake.  I was consistently getting hits on the fly, but no hook ups. Just before the trip I tied several of these flies with a stinger hook.  I used a small red egg hook with the bend of the hook even with the end of the marabou tail.  I used a light fire wire line to attach the stinger and cut off the main hook at the bend.  No more missed strikes and 63 brookies later the trip was over.   2025 President's Award winner Jim White 2025 Roy E. Gray award winner Dennis Erenberger Club Member Pictures on Trips to Argentina With Pointer Outfitters Kevin Thomason with a beautiful Brook Trout Kevin Thomason with a colorful Brown Trout Ed Buck with a nice Golden Dorado Kevin Thomason with a big Golden Dorado Ed Buck with a big Golden Dorado Kevin Thomason with a big Rainbow Trout Juan, Kevin and Ed's guide, with a fat Brown Trout Kevin Thomason with another big Rainbow Trout Tom Wood and his son Richard with a big Brown Trout Tom Wood with a beautiful Brook Trout Tom Wood with his son Richard with a nice Rainbow Trout 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 Support our Sponsers!! Special Shout Out to our most excellent sponsor   The Peak Fly Shop 5632 Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (719) 260-1415 https://thepeakflyshop.com/ Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2026 Pikes Peak Flyfishers, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Pikes Peak Flyfishers PO Box 26600 Colorado Springs, CO 80936-6600 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.