Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch

 
 
 

Fish Stories

Here are a few samples of what we here from anglers who fish at Sylvan Dale:

Steve Musick, Denver:  I came up last Thursday for a day of fishing in the Valley.  Inside of two hours I set personal records twice.  First up on Mother Lake a 28-inch Donaldson, easily 7-8 pounds, lunched on a midge on 5X tippet (it was a size 18, bead head olive green midge emerger fished on a tippet greased to within 6 inches of the fly).  Then down on Island Lake I landed a bigger fish on an olive matuka.  Paradise.  I gotta get a bigger net!

Mike and Christine Fong’s Inside Angler, a treasured information source about fishing destinations, contains a nice write-up of Sylvan Dale in the May 1995 issue, including a this description of Mike’s 27 inch, 8 pound rainbow:
I peaked over and saw a large rainbow approaching. I placed the Pheasant Tail five feet ahead of the rainbow and slightly short to my side so the leader would not be seen. After the fly had fallen a foot, the rainbow turned. I could see the white of its inner mouth as it closed on the fly. Gently lifting the rod, the trout turned abruptly and took off. thirty yards of backing disappeared and after a pause, another thirty yards followed. Soon, the rainbow was nearly all the way across the pond. After 15 minutes of steady, relentless pressure, I was able to gain the upper hand. ...It was one of the hardest fighting rainbows I’ve ever caught.

David Stacey, Chicago: Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed my trip with Don Barz lastweek - April 13. Tried to fish in float tubes, but after an hour and a half of kicking wildly to stay in place (or at least it seemed that way) b/c of the wind, we started sight fishing from shore. As the wind died down, the fishing picked up. Caught four fat rainbows - one 24 to 25", two 21", and one 19" (have pictures being developed of the three large ones). Ended up losing two. Almost all were caught on a green wooly bugger (Chuck has the pattern), 5 wt sink tip line, and 6X tippet. Overall great time - just what I was hoping for. Since I don't have Chuck or Don's email address, please pass along my thanks - both were professional and enjoyable to fish with (Chuck had another party on site as well). Looking forward to the next trip!

Gordon Penley, Ft. Collins: On April 2nd I had the pleasure of fishing at Sylvan Dale Ranch and was guided by Chuck Prather of Flyfishing Services. This turned out to be one of the best fishing experiences I’ve ever had – I caught many very large rainbows in Mother Lake including the largest fish I’ve ever caught, a fish Chuck estimated to be in the 8-10 pound class. Chuck was very personable, knowledgeable, and seemed to have exactly the right flies and tactics for the changing conditions of the day. I fished both trophy lakes with success and I really enjoyed the secluded setting and quality of the fisheries. I hope to be speaking to Chuck soon about returning with some of my angling buddies as I know they would enjoy the experience.

Greg Sheets. Loveland. I caught a 20-inch rainbow in the Big Thompson River in May at a location which will remain secret. The rainbow was taken on a #8 bead head Prince nymph, dead drifted along the edge of a diagonal cut in the current. The water was a little high and a just a bit off-color, so I was using a 4x tippet with two size B split shot. I've gone to using the yarn "fluff" strike indicators for all of my nymphing, and I think it makes a big difference with respect to strike detection. It was a surprisingly light strike, and I think the yarn helped me detect it. It made a fast run, and it took almost 4 minutes to land it as I was using my four-weight Sage RPL. I wasn't expect a big one like that fish!"

Joe Wall, leader of the Cold Shot Band, Orlando Florida. My wife and I had a great time at the ranch again this year. We're still talking about the skunk that almost sprayed me and the bear I came face to face with, but mostly, we're still talking about the huge 29 inch brown trout, the 25 3/4 inch brown trout, the 23 inch brown trout and all the other brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout we caught and released on Sylvan Dale waters. ...My wife and I are looking forward to visiting Sylvan Dale again next year. Keep those fish big and happy for me.

Greg Sheets (again): Hello David...thought you'd like to know that the River is fishing well in the lower "Valley" stretch. I've been prospecting and can tell you that those wonderful wild rainbow's and brown's are doing well. We have had mild weather this winter and the lower River remains ice free. I have fished the "Cottonwood Hole" several times and have caught several fish on each excursion. Last week, I caught 15 trout from the same hole, ranging from 10"-18"....all wild fish, and all on nymphs. Still waiting for the fish to start looking up, but I think that with our unusually mild winter the fish will be cooperating earlier than usual this year. The Valley Lakes are frozen, but the occasional wind opens up Mother Lake and the large fish that live there can be taken on small midge patterns. I LOVE this kind of fishing! Big fish on small tippetts and even smaller flys......Hunting fish is a hoot!

 

 

Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association Dude Ranchers' Association