"Whisky (colored) river take my mind"

So I'm gonna break the  news to you, I'm going to bring it hard and to the point, Freestone rivers around the state are a bit off color right now! Yea I'm sorry to say it, and most of you will try to convince me to tell you a different answer, but it's the truth.  It happens every year, everywhere around the country, and I will bet you that this will be the case next year also.  Before you get angry, snap your fly rod, walk into your local shop and rant that "I have never seen it like this before, what is going on, why can't you guys fix this murky water!" sit down, relax, take a deep breath and consider some options.

1.  Fish your freestone rivers during the "spring swell"
Yea, that's right, hook up that drift boat that you fought so hard with your spouse to buy and go out and toss big ugly bright bugs and enjoy the day.   We have had many productive days on the river fishing larger patterns sub surface while many are sitting at home dwelling over the soupy water.  We fish 365 days a year, in blistering snowstorms in January for 8 hour spans hoping for just that one fish to get our Trout fix for the day, sucking it up and floating a beautiful stretch of a river in 80 degree weather while landing a few fish with sub surface patterns shouldn't be torture for any of us!
2. Fish your local Tailwaters
If you are a seasoned angler your local Tailwater may be something you let the tourists fight over during memorial day weekend, but if you are a seasoned angler, you also love to catch fish, so this is a necessary destination this time of year. After memorial day, we should experience quite a lull in river traffic until the end of June, so get out and claim that coveted hole right below the dam at a reasonable morning hour without having to head over right after bar close like you did last weekend.
3. Lakes/Ponds
If you like stripping streamers below Statebridge, consider trying it on Antero.  This is a perfect time to get your girlfriend, friend, parent , or co worker out on the water and introduce them to the sport, or go out with the regulars and  land some trophy trout.  It's this time of year when the river fishing cools down the lake fishing heats up.  You have numerous options when it comes to still water from stripping streamers to skating caddis, so have fun with it.  Grab a cooler, every fly rod and box you have along with some sunblock and
enjoy.

 This is the time of the year when you have to look outside your norm when picking your fishing destination for the day or weekend.  You might have an epic 20 fish day on a tailwater stretch or land a 5 pound rainbow in a local lake but the one constant you can always bank on this time of year is great weather and beautiful spring settings.

-Sean Dailey