In the opening line of “The Waste Land,” T.S. Eliot declares that “April is the cruelest month.”
Obviously, he spent a lot more time with a pen in his hand than a fishing rod.
Because April traditionally marks the start of fishing season, and officially does in many states, the month is celebrated by anglers across North America. In California, where trout season starts on the third Saturday in April, many refer to Opening Day as “Fishmus.”
With exceptions for some species and bodies of water, Colorado’s fishing season runs year-round. But for locals who fish, this weekend has a holiday feel with the Fly Fishing Film Tour back in town.
Hosted by Duranglers, the eight-film program featuring world-class scenery, cinematography and fishing will show at the Durango Arts Center at 4 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. Saturday.
The films are just the centerpiece of activities, however, as the DoubleTree will host an evening presentation on fishing Steamboat’s Yampa River on Friday, and Saturday is filled with gear presentations at Duranglers in the morning, and with demos and clinics on the Animas at Santa Rita Park in the afternoon (visit duranglers.com for details).
On the low-tech (and likely less pricey) end of the fishing spectrum, April brings good reasons to visit Pastorius Reservoir.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) recently stocked the local lake with 800 of a new strain of rainbow trout, and the agency is asking for help with an online survey about the fish. The new arrivals are easily identified by clipped adipose fins, and the survey can be completed on a smart phone (signs are posted at Pastorius with the link).
To sweeten the deal, CPW also stocked 100 broodstock rainbows ranging from 16 to over 20 inches long, making Pastorius a great place to kick off the season – or your child’s first fishing trip – with a lunker on the line.
April will prove cruel if you are caught without a valid license in your wallet or shirt pocket. Your annual Colorado fishing license expires on Friday; be sure to renew before April dawns on Saturday.
