Continued on our journey towards Steamboat and the Yampa River below Stagecoach Reservoir. I've fished the Yampa through the town of Steamboat and below town on some private ranches with great success, so I was really excited to fish another section of this incredible river. Without a doubt, the river through Stagecoach State Park is one of the prettiest sections of river in the entire state. There is nice trout water holding some very large, very tough fish. I would have to say that this river requires the same techniques that we use on another famous tailwater: the San Juan. 6X tippet with miniscule flies were needed to draw very subtle strikes, with annelids and midge the majority of the fishes source of food.
I really enjoyed to continue to fish the Blue Halo glass rod. After fishing mostly graphite rods for the last couple years, it is such a different feeling to use a slower rod, forcing you to slow down all aspects of your fishing. When you get a fish on the line, it really enhances the connection you feel to the fish, as you can feel every powerful run and head shake with the sensitive tip. I need to figure out what color and I'm going to order, and the rod will be making its way from the Blue Halo guys in Salt Lake City. I'm so pumped up to add this amazing fly rod to my arsenal and continue to fish it across the west.
With every trip, they come to close, and it's time to point the Jeep back home. This was a great little trip with my Dad, fishing some new water and catching some nice fish. This trip also continued an ongoing trend that I hope to put to an end soon; my Dad catching the biggest fish of the trip.
Aw Mark, you're killing me. I've had plans to visit Stagecoach but have never made it. It's gorgeous and the fish sure look healthy. Thanks for the report!
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