Good morning!  Woke up this morning with a day off.  Think I’ll go to the Conejos River to see if the salmon flies are hatching yet.  This is by far my favorite hatch to fish!  Huge dries and feisty fish.  I’ll keep you updated.

I’ve been working on a few flies lately.  Right now I have an unfinished Ondine that I must complete soon.  Also I have a new flytying video that should be ready next week.  In this one, I am tying a claret jay from start to finish.  The first version of the video will be sped up and will have cool music.  The second release will be normal speed along with narrations.  Should be good!

Cheers,

Spencer

I’ve been slacking a bit on my blog posting lately.  The weather has been fantastic and I have been busy between chasing trout and taking my annual trip to Texas.  The fishing has been fantastic on the Cimarron River with flows ranging from 30 to 40 cfs from the dam.  The Holy Waters has been outstanding and becoming more and more popular.  So popular that it has been very difficult for me to check out.  If you are wanting to see for yourself then I recommend that you book ahead of time.  The Culebra Creek has been great fishing as of late and I expect the flows to be rising more and more as the downstream demand for water increases.  This will make for some great fishing with cranefly larva and blood worms (San Juan Worm).

I have been tying lots of flies for my guiding season, and I am still messing with classic salmon flies from time to time.  As mid spring is here, I find myself on the water more and at the tying vise less.

Van Beacham will be conducting a guide school during the last week of May.  Anyone who is interested in learning how to become a guide should contact him by email.  van@thesolitaryangler.com

We have a new addition to my family!  We just adopted a new yellow lab named Boomer.  He will make a fantastic fishing and boating dog!  He’s a full grown puppy who is very clumsy with his fully developed body and underdeveloped brain.  I’m sure that he’ll come around and become a well adjusted river companion.

See you on the river!

Spencer

Spring Break is here!  Just yesterday I noticed that 4 out of 5 cars in the Taos area have Texas license plates.  It’s a mixture of big Suburbans, Tahoes, Z71 trucks, Silverados, and a couple of SUV’s of the foreign persuasion.  It’s a welcome sight as the temperatures are now near 60 degrees.  This is the time of year when I learn to share our little paradise called Taos.  The Ski Valley is hopping, the parking lot at the Red River fish hatchery is full, and it’s near impossible to get a table at a restaurant without a 45 minute wait.  Time to be surrounded by multitudes of folks in town who are in vacation mode.  The thing is, I am now in work mode.  Mellow fly tying winter is coming to a close, and the calendar is starting to fill.  This is the time of year when I feel very fortunate to have access to many many miles of river that is privately owned, where there are no full parking lots, and no worries of wondering if this particular hole was fished 30 minutes ago.  If you have ever lived in a resort town for long, then you know what I’m talking about.  If you are one of the visitors, I hope your vacation is full of awesome experiences.  Spring fever is upon us all, and summer is right around the corner.  Time for me to get to work.  I wish I could say “See you on the river!”  Truth is, I may not see many on the river.  At least I hope not.  That’s why I work for a guide service called “Solitary Angler”.  If you’d like to join me for an uncrowded experience, you’d better call our shop and book a trip with me.  I’ll take you to a place where there’s more fish than people.

Buenos Rises,

Spencer

On Saturday March 17th St. Patrick’s Day I will be at the Tailwater Gallery and Flyshop in Taos tying a Green Highlander.  At the end of the day, I will give the fly to a lucky winner of our drawing.  Stop by the Tailwater Gallery and Flyshop and put your name in the jar!  I’ll be there from 10-5.  This will give you a chance to watch the fly being tied and to check out my latest flies!

Buenos Rises,

Spencer

Just fished the Culebra Creek today and I’m pleased to say that it is fishing well.  Despite heavy winds, I managed to land several big browns on midge larva patterns and a couple on a blue winged olive dry.  The flows are looking good for this time of year and I expect it to only get better!

Pike fishing on the Rio Grande is picking up in some secret spots in the late mornings and tailing off in the afternoon as the flows raise from snowmelt.

Spring Break is upon us, so if you are coming to the Taos area and you’re not a skier, come fishing with me!  I’ll show you where the good spots are while making sure your fly rod stays bent.

Buenos Rises,

Spencer

It’s now March, so that means only one thing.  Spring pike season is beginning!  The Rio Grande is just teeming with Northerns who are anxiously awaiting a tasty “meal”.  Go ahead, cast a fly into a slow pool and see what happens!  The calendar is starting to fill up for pike trips, so book yours soon!

Cheers,

Spencer

I’m now on my 3rd batch of hooks.  Experimenting with several styles and shapes can be fun!  I’ll probably have some hooks up for sale after I have enough made.  The weather has been great for fishing and/or skiing!  Presidents Day weekend is upon us, so get out there and have some fun!  I have a few new flies that are displayed at the Tailwater Gallery for sale, so if you happen to be coming through Taos, stop by and check them out!

Cheers,

Spencer

I’ll be at the Bob Gerding show in Albuquerque this weekend all day Saturday and Sunday.  I’ll be working on a couple of flies, so if you’re in Alb.  this weekend, stop by my table!  Also, I’m proud to say that I survived the making of my first blind-eye salmon hook.  It’s a 5/0 with a Phillips bend.  I also used Aaron Ostoj’s Black Japan for the finish.  This hook came out so nice that I can’t wait to complete my first real batch of these!

Recently got back from Mexico and chasing bonefish and barracudas.  Sophia and I flew to Cozumel, took a ferry to Playa del Carmen, caught the bus to Tulum, and rode a crowded van for 2 hours down a bad gravel road.  At the very end of this road sits a wonderful small fishing village called Punta Allen.  This place was amazing.  Laid back vibes and Mayan fishing guides.  I took a trip with Pancho Xe from Pesca Maya fishing guide service.   Caught several large bonefish and a few nice barracudas.  Fun day!

I just got back from the Fly Fishing Show in Denver.  This years’ show was fantastic.  I got to spend some time with several world renowned fly tyers.  Enrico Puglisi showed me some great ways to tie patterns for permit and bonefish for my upcoming trip to Mexico.  I got to spend some time with several front range salmon fly tyers as well.  Charles Vestal and Scott Stisser were there tying trout patterns but never skipped a beat when the subject was changed toward classic fly tying.  Friday night was the time for the film festival.  There are a ton of new great films coming out very soon!

Coming home to Taos is always a relief.  As I approached our new house up a one lane dirt road, I no longer felt tired, broke, dirty and hungover.  I love where I live!

Cheers,

Spencer

My first batch of hooks is almost finished!  Also, I am finishing up with an old decorative fly pattern called “Nelly Bly”.  This may be the last fly that I tie for a while.  My wife and I are closing on a new house this week, and then the moving fiasco will ensue.  I imagine that I should be set up to tie again after a couple of weeks.  Merry Christmas everybody!

Spencer