FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

You never know what the morning will bring.  Tuesday.  And then all gone.

It sure is interesting building here in Colorado.  It is not like there is a Lowes or Home Depot around the corner and it sure has slowed things some.  As a perfect example I will be headed on a 45 mile one way trip to pick up paint.  But there is an upside, after painting the new garage I decided to have them paint the rest of the house while they are at it, which should happen this weekend.  Then we pour the garage Monday if we can get concrete, they said maybe, and then the building is almost done.  And later in the week they come and re-rock the driveway to make it perfect and just maybe it will be done.

It has been a real learning experience and I have enjoyed helping on most of it.  While initially it was just a garage I decided to go all the way on the project and it looks great.  At least I will not have to paint in the future and the house looks brand new.

But like many of you I have had to vicariously fish through my buddy Clyde as I have been too tired to go most evenings.  This building is tough work.  But here are a few to wet your whistle and mine.  And it sure did not help when a lake the Boss and I visited just last week put out a new state record 62lb lake trout.  Obviously that is on the schedule.

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My buddy Clyde has been beating them up pretty good in Northern Iowa.  He has been trolling small plastics on 4lb line.  As you can see both good fish and fish fry material have been coming over the side.  He even whined about losing a big muskie on 4lb, like that would have a good outcome!

A real tussle on 4lb. line.

This is what he is catching every trip out right now.  Can you say fish fry.

And nothing like a big northern smallmouth.

Next up he will be headed to Canada for his annual trip.  He and his wife (She is a big fisherwoman.) have had a tough go of it lately with both of them having serious medical issues.  But things are really going well and they are both are upbeat.  Please think a positive thought for them, good folks.  And good luck in Canada Pork Rind!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I just finished roughing in the electric, hopefully it is good.  After the rough-in inspection, a final one once the electric is connected.  As soon as I finish writing this it is back outside, shovel and wheelbarrow in hand as there is plenty of dirt to move.  It is probably good enough right now but as it has taken a month out of my fishing I am determined to get it right and when the end of the week comes it will look great.  It has been an adventure but one I sure do not want to repeat.

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As I type this there is a show on the history of Zane Grey and his fishing adventures.  He was the greatest pioneer fisherman to ever hold a rod.  They have been able to digitalized his old films and they are stunning.  Huge marlin, sharks, tarpon, tuna to giant trout, he pursued them all.  And to top it off he was the first man to break 1000lb marlin on rod and reel.  He explored the world, and his set of fishing books are an amazing read.  All of us who love the sport owe him a debt of gratitude, he opened up the world.  So, if you really care about the history of the sport look them up.  Derrydale Press published a leather bound set of 10 which I have read and re-read, but they are available by other publishers on Amazon.  A real fireside read.

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Sorry about the dearth of posts but that is about to change.  One more week of being responsible then back to the fishing, plus the high mountains roads will start to open and it will be back to hiking and chasing animals..  Then in a couple of weeks the Boss will be back for another week.  Toward the first of June we will head back and I will spend a month in Texas.  Watching the weather I sure hope the bay does not get inundated with freshwater, never a good thing as far as the fishing goes but an important part of bay health.  But as in all fishing far and wide, the weather rules and we take what we can get.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

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Good Morning!  Out our front door.

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Colorado Lesson 

With the boys here they plugged the compressor in the metal shed which also kept it out of the rain and snow, we just had 3″ a couple of nights ago.  So I pulled the trash can out and left it behind the house.  In the back of my mind I am thinking go put it away, the bears are out.  But hey it only had to make it 2 days until Monday morning.  And you know the rest.

He or she crawled over a 4 foot wire fence which the prior owners had to keep the dogs in.  It then had a big old time.  The bear did not like green beans, asparagus, basically any vegetable but loved any fruit and old chicken.  So lesson learned, like I did not know better.

The Boss on her first trip way up the mountain behind the house.  Note that is town straight ahead down the mountain,

Later that morning we headed up the mountain to see what we could find.  Of course scattered bones, showed her both the lion kill sites, and of course the bear left some “evidence.”  The day was stunning, and stuff is about to really start blooming.

Spring is really on the way to 8.600 feet, and with the weather slated to be in the high 60’s – 70’s it is about to get pretty.

We finished off the day checking out the water in a couple of places and I intend to go catch supper tomorrow.  The weather is nothing but stunning and will stay that way all week so we will be out taking advantage of it.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

The garage has taken up lots of time the last couple of weeks but it is coming to a big conclusion this weekend.  Basically, setting windows and doors, wiring and then paint.  It has not been easy by any means, and sure is not cheap but welcome to the nearest Lowe’s or Home Depot 100 miles from here.  Just a small trade off to live here.  With the Boss headed back home shortly we were up and gone before daylight.

Headed up to the big mountains above 10,000 feet.  North of Del Norte.

We headed to the top of the world in the La Garita mountains.  On the way we literally saw hundreds of mule deer.  From a couple to herds of 20+ they were on the move.  We ended up going up to Groundhog campground, or at least we tried to make it all the way.  It is about 20 miles one way with no outlet, so you turn around and drive back down.  We hoped to see some elk and as we crossed through some cool old forest we spooked three who crossed right in front of us.  But since they were hauling booty no pictures but it made our morning, besides just being alive and out there.

We easily saw over a 100 mule deer this morning.  Great drive.

A lot of the high mountain roads are still closed and it was a fluke this one was open.  As we got close to the top a forest service guy came up behind so we talked to him.  I learned a couple of days ago one of the reasons they open some of the great roads late is they want them fairly dry so folks don’t wreck, and they do not rut the roads up.  Of all things that was what he was doing there, he said he was going to close the road right above where we were chatting so we headed back down.

Turns out he lives in South Fork and is an elk hunter.  He told me the elk winter in the area, which was easy to see with huge meadows at the base of the big hills, giving them easy access to the low country but just a short hop back up the mountain.  And we learned that folks do a lot of shed hunting in the area, again easy to understand why.  We also had a big grouse flush right in front of us, which is the first we have seen on this side of the pass.  Not growing up with these kinds of critters in Iowa we are always amazed at the wildlife in the west.

As far as the eye can see is the lands that belong to you and me.  They must be protected from any scumbag politician that wants to sell even one foot.

On the way back to town we saw some antelope but just a hair too far out, so those pictures were just too fuzzy.  But we keep taking them and occasionally one comes out great.  But as my buddy Ro told me about this camera before we bought it, real still due to the 600mm lens.  We have always loved the search and there is enough in this area to last us a lifetime.  A 4wheel drive and common sense opens up one of the great areas in the west.  As more roads open this spring the locals are telling us of the great drives, one I learned about today is a day trip, can’t wait.

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Now that is a Walleye!

This one came fishing off the bank on a local lake in Iowa where my buddy Clyde lives.  Next up he is fishing a walleye tournament then off to Canada.  So we should be getting some great photos in the coming weeks.  Clyde is really a multi-species angler, no one trick pony on his part.  The boy can catch them.

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Also got this interesting comment.

Your fisherman knowhows section has become my favorite read. It’s amazing to learn tips and tricks from experienced anglers. Thanks for sharing your expertise with.

I rarely look at the source of many of the comments I get but this one turned out to be not the usual nonsense spam.  Thanks for the comment, it just might be time to add a few more before I get too old to remember.

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The Boss heads home Sunday and the garage should be completely finished middle of next week as I want a little more work done on the driveway etc.  Then finally things will be back to normal around here and the fishing will begin.  It has been interesting building in this environment, we have had everything from high winds, snow, and frozen ground.  But it looks great.  So the adventure continues.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Off Topic

And one last comment on crime.  Over the last month with the boys here every night when done they have left their stuff, table saws, ladders, tools, the works.  Most of it is outside on the site and guess what?  Not a thing has gone missing.  Noone has come on my property and robbed me of the stuff in my garage while I was home like they did in Victoria.  I wake up every day not worrying and having to look outside and see if I have been robbed.  Ask yourself if you live in Victoria, if they left anything out not would it get stolen, but simply how quick would you be robbed?

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

What a day!

As we have been busy doing “stuff’ the last few days we got up and headed out at daylight.  We have driven a lot over the years visiting the area in search of wildlife.  When it comes down to it the day was simply a home run.  We went up and over the divide to Lake City, then up to Gunnison, then the round trip back east along one of the great drives in this country.  We crossed the divide again, finishing in Del Norte, then home.

It started with sheep close to the house and went from there.  Tons of elk, mule deer, antelope and we finally saw a moose.  Stuff was up and moving on a beautiful day, plus our timing could not have been better.  So instead of running my mouth here you go.  Many of these shots are really long distances and often not the focus I hope for, but that is not the point, it is in the doing.  And of course, getting them to do what I want, in the right light is impossible.  But the hunt continues, the perfect shot is out there.

I literally said I don’t think antelope like it this high, the first of many we saw on the day.

I could not possibly over estimate the number of deer today.

It was the best day for elk, we saw them all over.  Getting out early is the key, along with the right place at the right time.

These guys nesting at the lake.  Love ospreys.

Crossing the divide.

Our first moose here.  He was way down in a valley as far as the lens would reach.  Amazing how big they really are.

No way to get closer to these but this is how it went today.  That is some elk!

Sorry for more sheep pictures but I can’t help it.  To live where I can see them regularly is a dream come true.  Can’t wait until they open the high roads.

They were crawling all over but the rams are hard to find.

“We see you.”

Nothing says Colorado than wooden fence, an old shack and elk. 

Always looking for big white butts.  Hard to guess how many we saw but it was an all around wildlife day.  One of the big reasons we came here.

Love these little guys.

Only got to the river a couple of times but I can sure catch the browns.  Wanted to eat a couple but the problem, they must be under 12″ and I sure have had a hard time catching that.  But the lakes are opening and supper is no big deal.

And a side benefit but one of the reasons we made the loop was to check out the fishing access.  There is some really great water and I am looking forward to fall.  There are some cool places in both Lake City and Gunnison to stay and a plan is starting to germinate.  But the fishing is taking a little back seat for now, there is plenty of time for that.  We are still stunned we live here.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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A couple of days prior on our trip to Durango, then a back country drive between here and Del Norte.  We are exploring it all, and there is plenty of it.

Looking down from Wolf Creek Pass.

We first saw her on the edge of Wolf Creek Pass.

After she crossed the road she headed up the hill.  I will never get tired of seeing sheep.  

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After hanging with the guys as they worked we decided to take a trip over to Del Norte, which is close.  Taking the back way we were surprised to see so many Antelope as they are not exactly common, but they were right where you would expect to find them, wide open plain.  They were definitely spookier than their cousins who live in the fields along the highway.

This second bunch we saw today.  

It was a great drive when we came on the sign for the arch so we turned off and headed back in the hills and were surprised at how cool it was.  Hate to say it Utah but Arches park may have lots but few even come close to how cool this one is.

The Boss in front of the La Garita Natural Arch.

A sacred site to the Apache and Ute tribes.  In a really wild part of the area North of Del Norte.

The Arch, really an awesome sight.

A great spot by the Boss.  These were way out and a longer lens would sure have helped but at least we are able to get some pics as they raced across the plains.

To many cool rock formations to count.  It is a beautiful area and we will be returning there soon.  Some great hikes.

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Suffice to say we have been out and about and with the Boss staying another week that won’t stop.  Tomorrow we head up the hill behind the house.  It is no small trek but worth the climb.  Then a road that has been closed that heads up into the mountains to an old mining town.  Monday back to the garage and hopefully getting close to done by the end of the week.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc

The Boss joined me yesterday and this morning we headed out for both a drive and a hike.  The weather is cool but sunny and got into the high 50’s today.  The higher up in the mountains the more snow there is, consequently the runoff is in full swing.  I did not fish any the last few days as I hung out and watched my garage make a few steps forward then picked the Boss up at the airport.  Building in Colorado can be challenging when  trying to get it done in early spring.  And though it is 32 degrees at this moment it is snowing pretty good.  With temps to reach the high 50’s it should be no big deal unless it really dumps on us, but it is not really sticking yet.

But our day yesterday was perfect, and a few animals cooperated for the Boss.  While I am becoming a South Fork “resident” somewhat acclimated she is still just taking it all in.  As she is here for 2 weeks there will be more adventures.  It takes a little time to acclimate to 8600 feet so out hikes will get more aggressive as we go.  So “man” up old lady, we have some miles to cover.

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Until yesterday the marmots were not really out but spring has sprung in spite of the show showers we are having.  Today we found a pod of marmots running wild and having a big time.  And the rest of our hike and drive was just as productive.  We both have a love of wild animals so here is are a few.

It was wacky Marmot day!  They are actually the Yellow-bellied Marmot who are found in the west.

They hibernate most of the winter and are active in the summer.  There was a bunch of them today on a couple of rock piles, which the Yellow-bellied prefer for their hibernation.

Today was the first time we saw both Bighorns and Mule deer in the same field that had emerging green grass.

Some of the younger sheep had their fill and were taking a short nap.

The big Rams have deserted the real low country.  We tried several high mountain roads for our hike but they are not open yet, but most should be open by the 1st.

We found another bunch but later but no big rams.  While we have gotten a few really good pictures the chase for the perfect picture of the big ram continues.

These are the Mule deer the sheep were hanging out with.  It was in one of the greener patches of grass around.

So a great first day for the Boss with more to come.  And while the elk were way the hell off it checked all the boxes.  It is one of the prime reasons we came here and it rarely fails to make our day.

The dead giveaway when looking for elk – Big White Butts!  That is about as far out as our 600 lens will reach.

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I had hoped to make Arkansas this spring, but the building project became the priority.  I got these from my buddy Clyde and my old friend Randy.  Clyde said the fishing was a little tough but anytime you can catch huge crappie it is a great day.

My old buddy Randy.  Those are real Bull Shoals crappies.

Clyde with a couple more examples.  Hey man, remember that time we ate 19 in one sitting?  Those were the days.

Back when I was guiding my customers caught lots of them this size.  Being deep and clear highland lakes Bull Shoals and Norfork produced some real monsters and we often caught them from brush as deep as 30 feet.  Nothing like feeling the thump of a big one.

This is what makes big Bull Shoals what it is.  How about crappie, walleye, and Kentucky’s for the evening fish fry?

And while there were a few walleyes in my time we never really considered them a species to target, but it sure is not that way now.  Both lakes have a healthy population of them and nothing like catching a mixed bag like the one above.  And notice on the stringer they only kept the Kentucky.  There are lots of them so keeping them to eat is a good thing.

Our old adherence to catch and release was really needed in the early 70’s but now a healthy balance is only achieved with some put and take.  We have come a long way from the old 10 bass no length limit.  Whether it is sea trout, bass, or any other fish, once the states set their limits it is just fine to eat a few.  But it is still nonsense to pack the freezer, it is best to catch them and eat them, a 6 month stay in the freezer sure does not improve the taste.  So congrats to the boys, looks like it was a good trip, sorry I missed it.

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The plan for the rest of the day is up in the air.  The snow has slacked off some in South Fork but it is starting to accumulate at the pass a few miles above us.  It just goes with my new life plan, do not sweat the small stuff, be content to sit by the fire and read a book, or head out to hike, it does not matter either way.  My only hope for today is the boys get some hammering done.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc

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Five Bears Outfitters

“Who knew that first buck that you helped me harvest would eventually lead to this! I never would have imagined doing this 37 years ago.”

Many years ago, in fact well over 35, I met a family in Arkansas that were big fishermen and hunters.  In fact I fished against his grandfather many times.  David at the time was a high schooler that I helped bag his first deer.  (Had forgotten that.) Since then we have gone our separate ways but kept in touch via Facebook.  We both ended up in the west, small world and you just never know.  I have really enjoyed his photos and adventures over the years from Montana, they have wandered the mountains in search of game, fish, and just flat loving the outdoors.   My favorite was the photo of the giant grizzly footprint, it was one big bear!  There are still great wild places, and he and his son are running an outfitter service to exactly such a place.  And as you can see below they can get it done.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc

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I had a free day and it turned out great.  Caught fish, had a cool hike, watched sheep and elk and just generally enjoyed all the mountains have to offer.  No real reason for big commentary, the pictures speak for themselves.

My hike today.  And since it is close to another band of sheep stopped in on them today.

All I can say about this is I love Bighorn sheep.

Momma is giving me the hairy eyeball.

Been a while since I have seen elk.  No matter how far away as you can see I am busted.

Even the ducks were looking cool.

This what a grown man did all day, and how could it be any better!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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(Here is the fishing stuff I wrote yesterday.)  It has been a little busy with construction but the weather is holding until tomorrow evening so hopefully some concrete will get poured.  Not sure if we can beat the current weather but once poured the hammering can begin.  But it has not stopped me from fishing a little.

The good ones are on the chew.

Yesterday I tried a small creek I have wanted to fish for a while.  It is definitely fly rod water so I decided to give it a go.  Much of it is in a big canyon but there is a closed campground that has good access so that is where I fished.  Unfortunately it was high and moving, which is out of my skill set at the current time.

The water fell some and it will be time to do some fly fishing soon.

It has small brook trout but being so small I was unsure with the ice just going out whether they were that far up or still wintering down river waiting for the water.  But after an hour without a bite time to head to the Rio Grande and smack on the browns.

That is a solid Rio Grande brown trout.

I have not fly fished it yet because it has been to much fun catching them on small minnow baits.  I pinch the barbs down making them easy to get off and try not to take them out of the water.  The fish are quite a bit bigger than I have caught on the river in the past, though most of my experience is in late fall.

They are in their usual haunts and making the right cast gets bit.  And using a light action rod with 4lb fluro I can toss it most of the way across the river.  It seems they either hit right when it is reeled past the big rock, small shoot, or whatever else looks good.  One trick that has produced is not reeling it to fast so that it sweeps down river and then letting it wiggle with the current.  Some slam it, others just get on, but either way the fishing is good.

This is just an example of what I am catching right now..

They will still eat the jig but it has been fun to figure out how to catch them consistently on the minnow bait.  The best color has been a shallow running Rapala in brown trout and about half of them smoke it.  But as fun as that has been I am waiting for the road to open which tracks the fishing area and allows for easy in and out to multiple wades.

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The next few days will be garage, and if the weather holds a little framing on the structure will start.  A project I will be glad to have off my plate.  Cuts into the fun stuff.  But no complaints on my part, it is all good.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

A Young Guy but he is getting there

The weather the last 2 days as sure been interesting.  Yesterday it was cloudy and cool so I hung out and when it came time for my walk I headed out, and got caught in a blizzard of sorts.  As soon as I got to the house it cleared off, but ended up dumping an inch or two.  That melted by noon so time to head to Pool Table road and head high up and do some shed hunting and animal watching.  Turning off the highway there was a little bunch of sheep on a sunny hillside feeding on their way back up. The hike plan up ended up not working as I had to head back to do a couple of things with the builder.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

After heading back to the house and taking care of that it was back to Pool Table and of all things it was closed a mile up so I could not get to the area I wanted.  Got to watch the sheep a little more, then decided to head up to Beaver Lake and above to take a little hike and see the creek.  But surprise the road past the lake is not open yet.  I assume that is coming soon as it is not due to snow or ice.

Coming back down the mountain.

Got lucky today.

But I did manage to go on a couple of shorter hikes, one on a ridge, the other on the creek.  Neither one had much sign, it will take a season or two to find good she hunting territory.  As much as it does not seem so it is still early spring.  The lake was frozen but the opening cracks are beginning.  And there is still snow the higher up you go but most of it down here has melted.

Enjoying the sunny side of things.

The mule deer are everywhere and have really bunched up.

The creek coming out of Beaver Lake.

This creek has small brook trout in it.  It is a little faster than I have fished before but it does not require real wading or long distance casting.  So while I am functionally clueless as to the what and how like all fishing it is just a matter of going.  Tomorrow the boys may be coming to finish forming up and maybe some concrete will get poured here in the next few days.  The Rio Grande is a tiny bit clearer but running hard.  I intend to fish both of them this week in between the garage.  And I pick up the Boss on Saturday so there will be some traveling somewhere during the 2 weeks she is here.  So keep on stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

The morning brown trout stop at the river.

Once we got into some serious digging yesterday we found there is still frost down a couple of feet.  There is no way concrete can be poured like that so it is now sit back and watch and if we are lucky we can be back to work Monday give or take a day.  Since there would be no work I decided to hit the river and see what changes have come from the rising water.  Then a hike.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

Stopped at 3 or 4 this morning, just wanted to see the river conditions.

It was real apparent that the water was up and had a touch more color, as in brown.  It is a learning process, a task I love.  Guess I will have to learn to follow the river flow numbers.  It will take a full year of seasons to get a real idea on the changes but fish are fish and the crankbait worked.  Unfortunately, since I lost the 2 small jigs they loved I have just not found another color yet.  But the tying table is finally here and I have plenty of the jig heads, at least enough to last until I hit a tackle store.  But you go with what you know so out came a crankbait.

It was not easy by any stretch but I managed 3 fairly quickly, then stopped at 3 as it is a little tougher on them with the trebles.  A couple came by letting the minnow bait flow across river and then vibrate on a tight line, the others, I lost one, came right by the bank.  Tough but all those days on the White actually taught me a thing or two.  So now I will sit down and tie the jigs then pinch the barbs down on at least the crankbaits I will use in the river.  Easier to get off and a lot easier on the fish.  So with the rest of the day time for a hike.

A small fork shed behind the house.

Kyle is one of the guys who has worked on the garage and being a lifetime resident and hard-core hunter and fisherman and he gave me some good advice.  Shed hunting opens April 1st and folks are hard at it.  Since there is a access to the forest behind the house he said better get after it as it has probably already been hunted.  And from my results he was right.  The only shed I found was this little guy, but it won’t be the last.  It goes back to covering lots of territory and learning every time.

After I wrote this and before I dropped in to Happy Hour to trade a gun I made another hike.  It only took me a minute to realize that is why I saw another car parked there, a day late and dollar short.  But it was one beautiful day so no harm no foul.

One thing that puzzled me the other day was I found a couple of mule deer legs and looked around and all I found was an area close that had nothing but lots of hair.  Kyle told me. before he knew what I saw that it is clearly a cat kill as they tend to pull the hair off the hide.  Today when I was farther up the mountain found another kill.  Same thing, a few bones around including back bone, but off to the side near a rocky outcropping there was another area with nothing but hair.  Crazy and it is just the beginning of the learning process.  So much to learn about the outdoors here that drives me to continue to explore the endless public lands here.  And today I saw another Abert’s squirrel, which is really one cool looking squirrel.  I spent a little time waiting on him to show again but he gave me the slip.  Typical animal not knowing the picture rules but just thankful to see him.

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With things still not completely thawed I am blessed to have another day to explore.  Think I will head to the Pool Table area where I have seen lots of sheep and one hell of a mule deer fight.  But after this weekend it will be all out on the garage, one job I can not wait to get off my plate.  Lets just say building here is not like Texas.

Foundation and footers dug but still frost so no concrete yet.

Plus there are jigs and flies to tie and trout to be caught.   And the lakes will be clearing and there are tons of them to explore.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

This is why I remember to look up while fishing.

A good brown trout for the river.  And the only one on a crankbait today, if I was keeping them ok, but catch and release to many hooks.

After speaking with the builder it is about to get serious around here tomorrow, but not today.  With that in mind I headed to the river for a little bit, then hit 2 lakes to see if there was any thawing yet, and then hiked up the mountain behind the house.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

The river was definitely on the rise due to the hot weather and was running high and off color.  I just read an article on how if there has been lots of wind, and there has been, it deposits dirt on top of the snow and then when it melts it can really color up the water.  But I had a plan and 2 areas I wanted to fish just to see how it affected the bite, which it did somewhat but they still bit in both places and the last place was just like taking candy from a baby.  While I threw the cranbait just a little and it accounted for the fish above, the jig was still the ticket.

Just a few of them from this morning.

The black with a brown streak was the ticket like yesterday.  The only difference was the fish were positioned closer to the bank but still in the calmer water off the side of the current break.  What made it really interesting is I tried 3 other colors, a Rooster Tail and a small spoon and they were not having it.

When I fished the other 3 colors I varied sizes without success.  But put the light black with a splash of color and they ate.  With the river running a lot quicker it took a little work to get it down to the bottom and then bouncing along, but when done right just before it got straight below me they would bite.  Though I would hardly call it a “bite”, it was just softe when picking it up to hop it.   After catching plenty I headed up to look at a couple of lakes, which were still frozen over but the ice was changing and with it in the 70’s the next few days it won’t be long.

Some days you are the hawk, and other days you are the mouse.

Saw him fly down and catch something then up in the tree he went.

Plenty of wildlife today which was highlighted by watching the hawk smoke a mouse, or at least some small creature.  While I was not lucky enought to get him flying with it in the claws it was cool to see and made the day.  And of course plenty of deer and I could not resist at least taking one picture.

And the girls are always out and about.

Then headed back  to the house for some lunch and then the plan, hike up the mountain behind the house, which was no small feat.

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The end of my day, on top of the mountain behind the house.

It was a rough go, and walking sticks were needed.  Not interested in falling and breaking my leg so I took it slow.  The trails are everywhere and found a couple of legs off a muley that met their fate behind the house.  Hard to tell what did the killing but hair was everywhere.  I searched the area really closely looking for more but the rest was gone.  So who knows, bear or lion?  The hike up follows the natural trail used by the deer and turkeys every morning or evening.

The view from the hill behind the house.  A long way up but worth the walk.

The weather was fantastic and once on top just had a seat and contemplated how things have worked out.  It still seems surreal that we have a house here, that I can catch nice trout minutes from the house, and the wildlife viewing is off the chain.  It really is a testament to having a dream and then making it happen.  And as I finish this all I have to do it look out the window and there is a mountain.  Can’t wait till the Boss gets back and can spend a couple of weeks tromping around with me.  And if all is right with the world “her” garage will be on its way.  Life is good.

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All is right in the turkey world here in Colorado.  This morning a big tom with a group of hens passed through the back yard.  He was herding them and strutting his stuff.  And last evening a group of 8 or 10 deer worked their way back up the hill behind the house headed to their bedding area.  There was no surcharge on the house for the wildlife but it would have been worth every penny.  We knew it had wildlife just not the extent, we are truly on a major trail right by the house.  Can’t wait to see the bear and a local house just had 2 lions pass through the yard.  This is the woods, and we are loving every second of it.

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Tomorrow it is back to work as the footer will get poured and the Amish dudes will bring stuff.  They are the ones doing the garage prep from windows to door, with trusses etc.  So that will be another milestone.  So God willing and the creek dont rise the real construction begins.  So if you don’t hear from me for a while it is because we are working hard.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Sad State of Affairs

Over the years are travels were not always to cool places like Peru, Turkey and who knows where else.  But we also had a love of visiting big cities from New York City to Ashville NC.  We would wander all over the cities including at night with rarely a care in the world.  Try that now and expect a homeless felon to beat your brains in with a brick for no reason or to get carjacked.  (See Washington DC that wanted to lower the level of crimes like carjacking.  WTF!  Get a gun stuck in your face and then come tell me they do not need to be caged.) 

Those days are long gone for 2 reasons, our love of the outdoors and sad to say it is just too dangerous to do the big city now.  This nonsense of continually releasing repeat offenders on no bail, and the refusal to deal with the homeless and mentally ill has made many cities just too dangerous to visit.  I have no idea what needs to be done but at this point it is literally driving people and businesses out of the cities.  Brazen shoplifting, random brutal attacks and then released on no bond, often before officers are even back on the street.  This little rant was prompted after Whole Foods in San Fransico closed after only a year due to the danger to employees and customers and the rampant shop lifting.  So, what do we want?  Not sure but whatever it is this is not working.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

The Rio Grande had a little ice here and there and the water is low.  Just have to see how the fly fishing is as soon as I get this garage thing done.

Just a short drive from the house.

As soon as I got here I emptied the truck, bought my license and went fishing.  It was not going to be some big trip or fly rod day, just go to my honey hole and whack some browns and they were happy to oblige.  I did not even take my day pack with camera and glasses but that won’t happen again, I just wanted to catch a couple.  After about 8 or so in a little over an hour time to head back to the house and get organized.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I took off yesterday and drove 12 then it was an easy 6 after that.  A stop at the grocery store and off to the house.  The guys have definitely done some work on the garage, if it stays like this it will be concrete pouring time.  It was in the low 30’s coming down the valley at daylight, according to the truck it was 64 when I quit fishing at 4:00.  Just one beautiful day.

I tried to not take them out of the water or touch them. 

And I wondered how the deer and turkeys would react to spring but there were plenty around.  The turkeys are more like chickens than turkeys.  But they have been fed all winter so what do you expect?  It is illegal in Colorado and I would never do it but it sure does make for some pretty yard ornaments.  As soon as I get a little aclimated will head up the hill and do some shed hunting.  That would be where 6  headed as I ate my dinner. Can’t wait for the Boss to get here and do some serious hunting on our hikes.

It was a tough bite but as usual, just figure it out.

When I got my license, I asked what they were using, and it boiled down to larger and dark or black flies but they were only catching a few and it was a little tough.  But the color and size sure turned out to be true.  I am fishing 4lb fluro on a 7′ light action rod, it has to have some backbone but a forgivable tip.  First though I caught 2 on crankbait/minnow and a 1 on a Rooster Tail.  I don’t throw the minnow bait in there too often but when I do they slam it.  Last and best tied on a black head light 1/16 jig tied with black marabou and few strands of brown rubber and that turned out to be the trick.

Casting across the river in a deep hole with rocks had to let the jig sink and then barely hop it and let it slide down the bottom as the current swept it.  It was no big hit, as you lifted and dropped it they were just there, it was set the hook or they were gone.  But like all brown trout they are carnivores, and when they are having it they are one of the great fish.  Looks like they were bigger on average than last year but I am sure that will change, plus it is one of the really deep wintering holes on the river.  So, I am really looking forward to some fly fishing with the river down.  With the weather so nice there were several folks fishing as spring has sprung here in the South Fork area.

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My buddy Tommy sent me some pics on Facebook of the big ones he smoked on Coleto this weekend but I am to tired tonight to get them up but will in the next day or two.  All I have to say is that boy can catch em” and his strings this weekend prove it.  Stay tuned for pics and how, he was kind enought to share.

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So time to settle in and be a little serious about things.  There is plenty of work to do outside.  Not sure my taste is quite in inline with the former owners which means some of the stuff has got to go.  But the garage will be front and center.  The rebar and stuff for forming are here and the concrete that needed removing is gone and looks like it should thaw past the 2 foot mark and we should be good to go.  The rest of the garage itself is ordered and ready and it will be off my plate soon.  But not a day will go by that I don’t take some kind of advantage of living in this great place.  Tomorrow will be heading up to a couple of different lakes at different altitudes and see just what and where is opening.

I might be quiet at times in the next month or so but don’t think I am gone or not appreciative of the last 13 years.  It is thanks to you all that this thing has continued.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines