Open water has spread across most popular fishing lakes in North Park around the town of Walden. As of Friday, all three Delaney Butte Lakes were free of ice, along with Cowdrey Lake and Seymour Reservoir. Ice had receded from approximately 30 percent of Lake John.
Arkansas caddis sporadic
The Arkansas River Valley generally escaped the spate of cold, wet weather hanging over Colorado’s Front Range, leaving the hatch of caddis flies unimpeded, yet somewhat erratic.
“We haven’t seen the blizzard hatch this year,” said Rod Patch, owner of the Arkansas River Fly Shop in Salida. “There’s just enough bugs for the fish to get on them.”
As of Friday, insects were showing from Cotopaxi upstream to Salida, with the peak of activity between Coaldale and Howard. Patch also reported fewer anglers than expected.
Canyon closure
Recreation access to the South Platte River in Waterton Canyon, as well as the Waterton parking lot, will be closed May 3 and 4 to facilitate annual road maintenance work.
Money for wildlife
State fish and wildlife agencies will share more than $530 million during 2005 in federal excise taxes collected from purchases of outdoor gear.
The Federal Assistance in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration programs will apportion nearly $295 million for sport fish conservation and enhancement.
The rest, about $235 million is apportioned for wildlife, of which $46 million will be spent for hunter education and shooting ranges.
Allocation through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is based on a formula that considers the land and water area of each state, plus the number of hunting licenses sold.
