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Despite temps and rain, fishing remains best early or late
Mid-August brings some changes to fishing across Colorado. Some are subtle; others unmistakable. They range from a slight cooling of water temperatures in rivers and lakes brought on by welcome rains, to the explosive action of wipers feeding near the surface on several eastern-Colorado reservoirs.
Rain has fallen across much of the state during the past week, keeping most trout streams at a good level for fishing and easing some concerns about excessively warm daytime water temperatures.
On the downside, rains can discolor the water on a given day, creating tough conditions for fishing. The high, roily water usually is of fairly short duration, but heavy rain can disrupt fishing for several days.
Whether on a river or lake, fishermen also should be aware of quickly developing thunderstorms and potentially dangerous lightning.
Fly-fishing class back for a second year
Belleville's two resident fly-fishing experts -- Jim Laing and Brad Eilering -- are ready to dole out more knowledge about their passion to the general public. The pair will teach "Introduction to Casting a Fly Rod" beginning Sept. 16 at Southwestern Illinois College. Offered through SWIC's community education series, the class will benefit casters at all levels with lessons on equipment, casting, presentation and lore. It's the second year Laing and Eilering, who have fly-fished all across the United States since 1991, have taught the class. It was such a hit last year they decided to offer it again, this time with a beginners and advanced class. "I think what makes it successful is us being able to help people find the local waters here and get them started," Laing said.
paintsville lake balancing act
Since it filled in 1983, Paintsville Lake has been known for supporting cool-water fish species -- walleye up to 10 pounds, the occasional 20-inch smallmouth bass, and good numbers of 10- to 14-inch rainbow trout. This is in addition to the largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, and catfish that naturally reproduce in the 1,139-acre reservoir. Cool water builds up over time in the lake because of a slow flow-through rate. It takes an average of 150 days for water to travel the 18 miles from the headwaters to the dam, where the lake depth is more than 90 feet. But in recent years a number of factors, including higher than normal rainfall and discharge rates, and the cool water demands below the dam, led to the loss of cool-water habitat in the lake.
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