Glassman Canyon

Ringing in the New Year in Denver means that The Fly Fishing Show isn't far behind. With The Fly Fishing Show comes many a welcome visitor. Last year, I had the distinct pleasure of sharing the water with the Fishing Poet and Sanders in some, let's say, colder temperatures. This year, Russ Schnitzer and I took Cam Cam the Glass Man (or Cameron Mortenson of The Fiberglass Manifesto) into Cheesman Canyon.

Picking out what proved to be the wrong combination for Cheesman's trouts. Photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO

The Cheese had given up it's fair share of healthy fish earlier this winter and I was fairly confident that we would all have solid chances at it's trouts. I was wrong. The fish were glued to the bottom of deep pools and runs and weren't moving to even the most well-presented fly. Russ managed one spunky rainbow. Cam Cam the Glass Man and I both stung a few of our own. The fishing was shit. But, the day was fantastic. Normally, I don't buy into the idea that it's just good to get out. I could go for a leisurely hike without all the tools of the trade. I fish to catch fish.

Cameron throwing the Epic. Photo Credit: SchnitzerPHOTO

However, this day was different. It was a pleasure to share the water with Cameron. As Cameron and I discussed between drifts, it is comforting to confirm initial online judgements of fellow bloggers. Cameron is solid dude and an excellent ambassador for fiberglass fly rods and the fly fishing community, in general.

Glass Glow. Photo Credit: SchnitzerPHOTO

Cam Cam the Glass Man even got Russ and I to throw his four weight Epic fiberglass rod. I was impressed with the ease of casting and mending. It wasn't fast-action by any means and definitely required a slower stroke. But, it was nonetheless a powerful four weight. It handled the multi-nymph rig with ease and was a pleasure to cast. It was my greatest regret that we weren't able to see the Epic bend on one of Cheesman's finer specimens. Maybe next year.

Throwing Graphite in front of the glass king. Photo Credit: SchnitzerPHOTO

The Fly Collective presents "Long Shot"

Long Shot from The Fly Collective on Vimeo.

Teamwork makes dreamwork. We (SchnitzerPHOTO and YGF), The Fly Collective, are proud to present our most recent piece about carp, Erin Block, and Jay Zimmerman. Enjoy.

Lip AIDS - A DSP Staple

On the lookout for Lip AIDS (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

By no means am I an experienced carper. I caught one on the Missouri. But, I am embracing the pursuit for the golden ghost, unlike some of Chum's commenters. Denver and it's hinterland have some great carp water including the misunderstood and often polluted South Platte through Denver. This month, Russell Schnitzer (of SchnitzerPHOTO) and I have tried our hand at catching the often invisible January Denver-South Platte (DSP) carp. While we haven't connected with a winter carp yet, we have experienced everything else that DSP has to offer, including a valuable life lesson (AKA Pro Tip).

Pre Lip AIDS - the good old days (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

DSP Pro Tip - Don't use textured fly lines while fishing for carp on the DSP. Textured fly lines have a habit of "grabbing" water. When double hauling textured fly line that is coated with the clear waters of the DSP, water shoots off the line and flies onto your lips and provides your lips with a burning sensation I like to call Lip AIDS.

Chemical makeup of DSP - Water, Steel Reserve, and Lip AIDS (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

DSP Pro Tip - Listen to the homeless. As we headed north towards Florida Avenue, a homeless man on the banks enjoying a taste told us "You're walking the wrong way, all the fish are south." We thanked him for his advice and continued north. We were wrong. He was right.

Winter Carping. (photo credit: SchnitzerPHOTO)

Check out SchnitzerPHOTO on facebook and instagram. Believe it or not, he takes amazing photos of things other than me.