If Mesa the shop dog could talk....

Dear Mesa:

My dog back home in Texas is a real pain in the butt to fish with.  He is always splashing around in the pool I’m focused on, getting caught in my fly line, and tries to bite the fish I put in the net.  Any suggestions?  -Hank from Midland

Hank:  That’s a tough one.  My dad only lets me goof off downstream when wade fishing, which leaves the fish he is casting to relatively undisturbed.  Maybe you should take him back to the truck when he screws up in the future to teach him a lesson.  If you want to send him out on a guide trip with me sometime, I’ll show him how to behave.  –Mesa

Dear Mesa:

I fish with the guides at Taylor Creek every year, and am wondering if I should check out other places to fish in Colorado.  Any suggestions?  -Janet from New Orleans

Janet:  There are plenty of places to fish here in colorful Colorado, but nowhere else comes close to our prolific insect hatches, variety of rivers, talented guides, huge numbers of wild fish, and amazing weather.  That being said, I hear there are suckers on restaurant patios all over the state that are willing to part with their french fries, so I could take my game just about anywhere.  But I will always stay partial to the truffle fries next door at the Riverside Grill.  Delicious.  -Mesa

Dear Mesa:

I floated the Colorado River with Taylor Creek guide Gifford Maytham last year and he kept mumbling about “skittle eats” versus “insect eats” and kept telling me to keep my indicator in the “niceness,” not the “weirdness.”  Is he crazy?  -Cheryl from Aspen

Cheryl:  Yes, Gifford is crazy.  But an extremely talented fishing guide.  Most guides have a little crazy in them, which is what makes them so talented and fishy.  –Mesa

Dear Mesa: 

Every time I take my wife fishing, we end up getting into an argument.  Any helpful hints?  -Biff from Atlanta

Biff:  Sounds like you need to chill out.  I would have an honest discussion with your better half about what her expectations are and how you can make her (your) time on the water more enjoyable.  The river is far too beautiful a place to be stressed out and upset.  Or maybe you should both have a beer on your way to your favorite waters.  I’m just saying…  -Mesa

Dear Mesa:

What is the best breed of dog for being a faithful fishing companion?  -Tara from Missouri

Tara:  There are two ways to go on this one.  I would suggest getting a dog that either A) loves the water, or B) despises the water.  I have a dachshund friend who loves to go fishing, and her owner enjoys how “low profile” she is.  The fish never see her because she is only 8 inches tall and she has no interest in splashing around in the water.  My older Labrador brother is an awesome fishing dog too, he doesn’t have to be carried across the river and he watches his masters’ dry fly better than most humans.  Tough call, Tara.  –Mesa

Dear Mesa:

What is the best time of year to come fish with Taylor Creek?  -Bruce from San Diego

Bruce:  That’s a tough one.  Giant midges on the Colorado in late February into March, Blue Wings on the Fryingpan in April, Caddis and Stoneflies in June,  Twilight Drakes on the Roaring Fork in July, Pale Morning Duns everywhere in August, Green Drakes on the Fryingpan until Halloween, fall streamer fishing out of the drift boat, awesome midge hatches all winter long….  My advice is to book your trip no matter what time of year you can join us.  Bring me treats!  –Mesa

Dear Mesa:

What is the best part about being the Taylor Creek official greeter dog?  -Dick from Vegas

Dick:  It’s all about treats and belly scratches.  I’ll admit, during the summer I usually retire to sleeping under the rental waders after the morning rush, but I love meeting the people that fish with us from all over the world.  Nothing beats floating with my dad on the Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers, or wading around the Flats on the upper Fryingpan!  Oh, and of course, Riverside Grill french fries.  –Mesa

Dear Mesa:

Is there really a difference between fishing with monofilament versus fluorocarbon tippets?  -Judy from Kansas City

Judy:  Absolutely.  I hear the shop crew having this conversation on a daily basis, so I consider myself a bit of an expert.  Monofilament is less expensive and is totally fine for casting dries at non-pressured fish, but our PhD trout here in the Valley require more stealth on the part of the angler.  Flourocarbon tippet presents the fly nearly invisibly, whether you are nymphing or throwing dries.  It also reflects much less in sunlight, is more abrasion resistant, and is more supple and sensitive.  Like me.  –Mesa

Dear Mesa:

I notice more women enjoying the sport of fly fishing every time I go out, are you excited about this?  -Hugh from Dayton

Hugh:  This is an awesome thing.  Most women are natural-born casters, entomologists and listeners.  They also tend to remember to bring me snacks when popping into the shop for a few flies or advice.  We love seeing this uptick in female fly fishers, although we have plenty of female customers and clients who have fished with us for decades.  Many people find our sport intimidating at first, and we at Taylor Creek love dispelling this myth and helping anyone who walks through our doors.  –Mesa

Dear Mesa:

If you could actually cast a fly rod, what sweet new stick would you pick up this year?  -Kurt from Maine

Kurt:  Hmmm….  First up would be a G Loomis NRX LP in four or five weight.  That rod tracks very well, is light in the hand, and super accurate.  The Orvis Helios 2 and Sage Method are favorite rods in dad’s quiver, and I think he should pick up a Sage Circa for dries on the Fryingpan.   –Mesa

Dear Mesa: 

I hear that Taylor Creek Fly Shop hosts annual bonefishing trips to Christmas Island.  What’s the deal?  -Georgia from Georgia

Georgia:  If you have never casted flies in saltwater, you should really check this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity off your bucket list.  A trout swims around 15-20 mph when fleeing, but a bonefish will top out around 55 mph.  Wading in knee-deep sandy flats is very therapeutic and learning to see the fish and cast accurately will make you a better all-around fisherwoman.  Christmas Island has miles and miles of flats to explore, the food is amazing, the guides are true talents, and you get to spend some quality time with Talyor Creek hosts.  You also have shots at catching trevally, barracuda, jacks of all kinds, even exotics like trigger fish.  Just go!  -Mesa

Article by Scott Spooner

Photos by Louis Cahill, Angus Drummond and Mesa's dad, Will Sands
Reprinted from The Fly on the Wall 2014