Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

By JON KLEIS

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to catch a fish on a lure that you created? It is easier than you might think. With many things in life you control your level of involvement, and this especially holds true in the sport of flyfishing. There is no more single rewarding effort in fishing than tying a fly and catching a fish with it.

I was a "spin fisherman" growing up. Content to use in-line spinners such as Panther Martins and Mepps all while covering as much water as possible in order to consistently catch fish. Any spin fisherman worth their salt knows that because you're using a shiny lure rather than a bug that exactly imitates the actual insects fish eat you have to change spots constantly. Catch a fish or two and then move.

In my late teens I finally had one of those days in Elevenmile Canyon where I was struggling with my lures and some guy flyfishing had his rod bent to his reel while standing in the same spot all day. Then itoccurred to me that looks like a lot of fun, and I asked myself what are you waiting for? I went to the old Anglers Covey fly shop when they were located in an old two story house on Colorado Avenue and they hooked me up with some sound advice and all the gear I needed and I spent the next three days trout slaying. Two weeks later I bought my first fly tying vice and some materials.

Just like in flyfishing there is this mystique surrounding tying that seems to make it look more difficult than it actually is. I'm being completely honest in telling you that if you come to our free one hour "Explore Fly Tying" class at Anglers Covey on Saturdays starting at 11 a.m. it will only take Steve Gossage or myself that short amount of time to teach you how to tie your first fly.  It is that easy! Don't get me wrong you can make fly tying as difficult as you want and nobody will ever learn and commit to memory everything that there is to learn. Once you have mastered the basics of tying the challenges of learning more advanced techniques becomes insanely fun.

If fly tying is something you've always wanted to try but haven't then take advantage of our free class by going to www.anglerscovey.com and register!  We provide the tools and materials so all you have to do is show up.  Hope to see you guys there!

To schedule me for a guide trip contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thanks and Tight Lines!