FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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If you are going to walk a 5K might was well walk it in pure beauty.

We headed to Buena Vista a couple of hours from here so the Boss could do anther 5k.  A cool little town we had a good time, and it was worth the visit.  But other than her 5k our weekend was made with the number of animals we saw coming and going.  We took the long way home, crossed the Divide twice, visited a lake I will be fishing, and just enjoyed not having a schedule.  We saw plenty of stuff, deer, elk, antelope, sheep, and even a moose.  Going for a ride is always an adventure.

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It is not so hard to get used to no traffic or Majeks blowing by me.

Got out for a little today and as usual catching is not the issue.  It was a little windy for casting so kept with the trolling.  I have a lot to learn but that is part of it, glad I am not a one trick pony.  There is a great big fishing world out there and learning new stuff keeps it fresh.

An easy 20 today though had to fight with the wind some.

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Let The Rip Off Begin

I have continued to talk about this off and on for several years.  So here is  what the Republicans are wanting in the new funding bill.  Read closely and then I have seveal comments but maybe I am wasting my breath.

It mandates the sale of dozens of parcels totaling more than 11,000 acres of federal land across the two western states.

Beyond land sales, the legislation would significantly reduce royalty rates paid by companies extracting resources from public lands. Oil and gas royalty rates would drop from 16.7% on public lands and 18.75% offshore to a uniform 12.5%, while coal royalties would decrease from 12.5% to 7%. The bill also calls for four oil and gas lease sales in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge over the next decade. It seeks to boost the coal industry by making available for leasing 6,250 square miles of public lands—an area larger than Connecticut.

1.  This land belongs to us – it is Public Lands, not Republican Land.  There is not one Democrat in favor of selling our lands to Corporations.
2. The justification is they will use the money to help pay for the tax breaks coming for corporations and the rich, it is not coming to the Public who own the land.
3. It is a drop in the bucket compared to our national debt and what little in the grander scheme of things is raised will be spent and gone in the blink of an eye.  Money comes and goes the land is forever.
4. So now, it is to be used to pay for tax breaks but includes a further tax/royalty decrease for the corporations.  Why would they lower the fees when the whole purpose is to raise money.  Think about it, what sense does that make other than a gift to their rich corporate and personal donors.
5. So when it is all said and done the reasons for the sale is bullshit.   It is nothing more than a land grab.

And one additional comment.  When the Canadian Prime Minister met with Trump in the oval office I watched the news conference.  Here is Trump’s exact words:

“We don’t need Canada or their resources.  In fact we have all the oil and gas and resources we need; in fact we have more than we need.”

Man I do not get it.

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See Above – Trump Executive Order 14270

These are just a few 0f the regulations they are doing away with.  So, you trust mining, logging, and oil and gas to clean up their mess or protect the lands the Republican’s are going to sell them.  (If you trust oil and gas and others then why are Texas landowners who reaped the $$$ now trying to get state taxpayers to clean up thousands of abandoned and dirty wells?  Why should taxpayers shoulder that burden?  Do you remember getting your cut?)

Air, Water, and Public Health

• Clean Air Act

• Clean Water Act

• Safe Drinking Water Act

• Toxic Substances Control Act

• Superfund cleanup authority

• Mercury and Air Toxics Standards

Land and Resource Protection

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

• Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

• Wilderness Act

• Antiquities Act

• Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

• Federal Land Policy and Management Act

This is just a partial list of the regs they want to expire in 2026 unless the departments that control them reup them.  Sure, those would be the departments they have cut.  And here is a couple more.

・Endangered Species Act—gone.

・Migratory Bird Treaty Act—gone.

・Anadromous Fish Conservation Act—under threat.

・Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act—gone.

You can not tell me cutting all these regs across the board is a good idea.  Do your research, it is critical to understand what they are going to let corporations get away with.  Stay informed this is important.

Behind Trump’s Order 14270: A sweeping directive that dismantles a century of protections | Opinion

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Plenty to digest here but it is so important that we keep up with things.  There were plenty of things that needed changing and cutting.  But this wholesale approach is just not working.  An organized plan with a purpose is fine, but letting Elon Musk do it was nonsense.  (But I guess we are ok with the fact he got multiple investigations halted in the process.)  A full review of each department with a mandate for savings was in order.  Firing forest rangers and cutting food and health care for children is just a drop in the bucket.  Time for term limits and cuts in our elected officials salary and retirement at the same rate as the rest of the cuts.  We are being screwed by both parties.

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Off to see the grandkids for a few days.  Finally have my moms estate settled, kind of a struggle with 5 kids in 4 different states.  But as long as your affairs are in order things go fairly smooth.  Plus, no assholes in our family, everyone was fair.  So the Boss and I will review our whole thing, and you should too.  Other than that, all good out here in the mountains, hope you and yours are ok.  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

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So You Want to Live in the Mountains

Happy May 6th.

Coming down with more to come.  We could get another foot or so over the next few days.  So time for a fire, some coffee and a good book.  Love retirement!

After getting maybe 6″ 2 days later now it is basically all gone.  I will not get a chance to fish until next Tuesday.  We have shopping and dentist tomorrow then gone for the weekend so the Boss can do another 5k.  Amazing how busy a retired person can be.’

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I did manage to slip out the other day to catch some supper.  The water color at Beaver is a just a little off and the temp is 43 degrees.  The night before was cool and the wind was out of the north.  While the fish did not bite, ended up boating 12 or so before calling it a day.  Forgot the camera so all I can say is they looked as good at the lake as they did at the fish fry.

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Time Marches On

Easy Step.

At some point you have to make a few concessions to getting older and in my case it is getting out of the boat after loading.  I have the unloading down pat but once it is on the trailer the old jump over the deep V nose thing to hook up is done.  While I can still do it, this is a whole lot easier.  Doing the research, it was easy to see that this was worth the money.  This thing is a beast, so many others were not nearly as sturdy and since this is made in America it is a win-win.

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And this question from a reader.

Hey boss I enjoy your posts. Did you ever figure lake texana out? I would like some advice me and my daughter love to bass fish if you have any pointers on possible locations and bait id appreciate it. Thanks –

Sad to say my 3 trips there were totally unproductive, unless you count catfish.  Once it was a total strike out, anther a big channel cat on swim jig, and the last time I was there it was one small one on crankbait.  I would hate to steer you wrong.  The one thing I never did was figure out how to hit the jungle, which from what is said is the place to be.  So good luck, you don’t know until you go.  And thanks for reading.

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Insurance

Our single biggest expense in our retirement is insurance, (Cars, boat, home, health.) more than the rest of our monthly bills combined.  Insurance companies are predators who have been allowed to run wild for decades.  So when the Boss started her SSI it was time to buy her supplement policy to go along with SSI and the Part B.  I have a great policy that is not available now but has served me well.  We contacted the company, and they gave her a great rate because I already have health insurance with them.  Then the next month those scum sucking bottom feeders jacked my rate amazingly enough, just about the discount they just gave us.  Something needs to be done but with our government bought and paid for expect the rip-off to continue.

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I Told You So

 House Republicans have added a provision to their sweeping tax cut package that would authorize the sale of thousands of acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah, prompting outrage from Democrats and environmental groups who called the plan a betrayal that could lead to increased drilling, mining and logging in the West.

I told you it was coming.  They are trying their best to steal our land.  I am so tired of maga defending this, it is an attempt at theft and if I was younger and not so sick of this fucking nonsense I would do more research.  Suffice to say follow the money.  So, keep supporting them, I am sure they will let you join in on the rape of our public lands.  Sure they will.  The old adage – give them an inch and they will take a mile.  Glad I am old but am sad for those kids coming up.  Soon it will be like Texas, only the rich landowners will have land and the rest of you are locked out.

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TEXAS BAR

Today I took the plunge and resigned from the Texas BAR.  Since I have been inactive and now in Colorado time to call it a day.  I am proud of finishing law school and being a 2-state attorney but time has come to call it quits.  While it required little to stay inactive actually – Who gives a F!  I am done and time to admit it.

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That is it for today.  Things are busy around here and I hope to be back fishing next week.And I have a story about Cavender Toyoto of San Antonio to tell, it is coming but if you live in San Antonia and get your vehicle serviced there, they are the most incomptent worst service in our 37 year Toyota history.  Man they suck and when you read what they did you will not be impressed.  Other than that keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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A Morning Drive

We saw two massive herds of elk this morning.  Both herds were way out there, and I was surprised this came out this good.

It has been a while since we had a morning game drive due to my eye thing but out the door we went.  One thing about this area you never know what you will see.  We headed north to the area we have seen moose in the past but not a one in sight.  On the way is the area we have been seeing tons of sheep, today it was just one on the way back.  But near the elk wintering grounds where they have mostly been absent this winter there were 2 herds.  One had an easy 50 plus, and this bunch had maybe 40.

As we learn more and more and spend the time, we get luckier and luckier.  But just like fishing you don’t know unless you go.  Today both herds were way the heck out there, but big white butts are easy to spot the more you look.  The pic above was taken with the 600 lens and for the distance is great.  It is not easy holding that steady at that distance, a good mile, but the picture is never the reason.  We love glassing and watching them and were surprised not a fawn in the bunch.  But from what I read they head up to the forest to have their young.  So the next few weeks will tell if they disappear.  On the way home we saw a coyote and one Bighorn ewe.  Every day is a good day chasing animals.

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A Short Fishing Trip

Man I hate these crowded ramps – NOT!

The day was looking like it would be fairly calm with clouds.  The forecast was for rain in the afternoon so great fishing weather.  And it was for a minute.  The plan was to continue to chase the salmon, and I stayed after it for 2 hours. Not sure why I am not successful because the other lake I fished for them, I was successful, but I will keep after it until I figure them out on Beaver.  The other thing I wanted to try was fishing the 3.25 Nuked Glow” Knockin Tail.

Here is the first and the last.  There is not a fish on the planet that will not eat the Knockin Tail.

Why was this the last?  As soon as I started throwing it had a couple of bites and caught this one, it started snowing!  I mean big ass chunks that covered the boat in nothing flat.  It had really clouded up and the wind started so I headed to the ramp.  And then another thing conspired against me.  The only other folks out there were 2 guys on a small float pontoon with a trolling motor.  The had just put in and were at the ramp when I got back there.  Suffice to say it was interesting watching them put that big pontoon thing on top of a rack on the truck.  It ended up taking them quite a while but no big deal, I have no place to be.  By time they got done and I loaded it not only stopped snowing, but the sun came out.  It is the Rockies, and you just never know for sure but fishing above 9,000 feet is a thing all unto itself.  Stuff happens but I will be back at it Friday, there is still some Knockin Tail work to do.

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They Can Never Be Trusted.

This question from a long-time reader –

What do you think about the government (Trump) decreasing the size of federal lands for mining and oil exploration?

To put it bluntly it is a sham and an obvious land grab for oil interests and for the rich.  It is a “creep” to the time it is put up for sale and only really rich or corporations will have the wherewithal to buy it.  Additionally, it is a way to skirt any environmental regulations so they can rape and pillage our public lands and leave them in shambles, unless they can steal it from you and I.  So how can I be so blunt, let’s look at just one small current piece of history.

Texas oh Texas.  All you have to do is look closely at what is happening there.  There are literally thousands of wells that are leaking and polluting the ground water much less the land.  The resouce is exploited and left in a mess.  Now private landowners who took the money want the state to come in and fix it.  Bullshit, you welcomed them, fattened your bank account, now the drillers and “fly by nighters” are gone and you want the taxpayers to clean up your mess?  A perfect example is half of TPWD commissioners are in gas and oil or related businesses.  You are kidding yourself if you think Texas can be trusted to vote against their own interests and that of their rich politician friends

So, the punch line, it is the worst environmental threat in decades.  Now that I live in a place with tons of public lands of all sorts it disgusts me that opening it up to drilling and logging is even in the discussion.  I have said many times in the past I have no problem with mining, drilling, or logging.  All I would ask if I were king:  Everyone who operates on newly opened public lands has to put up a significant bond and the land must be left in great condition to allow for reforestation or whatever after the resource is used.  And last that the liability would last for maybe 20 years, you do not get off the hook once you are done.  I have said it before and will say it again:  Money is fleeting but the land last forever.  It is our land.  Think I am wrong?  OK then just look up the number of Super Fund sites in the US and what it has cost to remediate them.  They cannot be trusted.

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Tough World Out There

The Boss was on her big walk while I wrote this and when she got back she gestured for me to come outside so I grabbed the camera.

Poor thing.

The trail is right beside the house, and she saw this doe struggling up the hill.  Her leg was obviously broken and while I have no clue how it happened it is easy to guess.  There are even more prairie dogs than last year and looking at her leg it is broken about where it would be if she stepped in a hole while running.  She kept heading up the mountain where she will not last long.  Plenty of coyotes, bears and even lions above the house so nature will take its course.

Just a small sample of the mule deer in the neighborhood.

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Hope things in your world are as good as ours.  We are enjoying every day of retirement.  Things are good here and we making more travel and exploration plans, and the fishing will continue.  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

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A Hike

The weather is gorgeous around here.  The road to Big Meadow is still “closed” at least according to the National Forest wesbsite.  When we got to the road the gate was open and folks were driving to the lake.  We decided to make the hike up first.  It is about 2 miles to the ramp.  We hiked a 1.5 miles up and 1.5 back.  Once we got back to the truck we drove up to get a good look at the lake which still has some ice on it but will be open soon.

The run off is in full swing.  But we need more, hope we get it.

Big Meadow Lake.  About 15% still ice covered.

Bascially Big Meado is a put and take lake and well stocked.  The bank fishing opportunities are great, and it is about a 3 mile hike around the lake in some great country.  I have fished it several times in the boat and to say it is full of trout would be an understatement.  We continue to enjoy all the woods here have to offer, and our summer season is off to a great start.

Looking back on the way up.

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Little Rascals

Our neighborhood as a huge population of prairie dogs which are cool little characters.  They are busy little guys and there are literally dozens and dozens of holes.  The stay alert and scamper across the road.  A few don’t make it but there is plenty to repopulate.  But the colony is in a big undeveloped field and it won’t be long before it is developed.

Always watching 6″ from their hole.

Run for it!  Perfect turn at the snap of the pic.

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Shedeur Sanders

Both of us are big football fans.  The Boss likes college better and I don’t care, if it is big time I am watching.  Watching football when I was growing up was a constant in our house and much of the extended family.  We have watched the draft religiously.  It is cool to see them get the call and the family reactions.  For most of those kids football is their life and in some cases have kept them on the straight and narrow.  And in the draft character can be a real issue.  And that brings me to Sanders.

The 4th round is about to start and he is still on the board.  While character has been an issue when you look at his numbers, he is far from great or deserving of a high first round pick. He apparently had some interview issues and of course humility is not one of his better traits.  Of course, Daddy is part of the issue no matter what the teams say.  One of the teams that needs a quarterback is the Browns.  If memory serves me Daddy made a comment or two on them prior.  So, with 5 choices in the first 3 rounds they did not take him.

So how about a little history.  First, the biggest bust and narcissist of the last 20 years, Johnny Football.  I am glad we saw him at A&M, what a talent.  When he slipped on draft day the Browns called him and I will never forget him telling the Browns that he would “wreck” the league.  The only wreck was him, a huge waste of a early pick and bag on money.  It would be hard to beat that waste of money, but the Browns did it again when they traded for Watson from the Texans.

They gave up a ton of picks and over $200 million guaranteed money to a dude who settled over 20 cases involving sex for millions and has been an absolute bust, along with often being hurt.  When the Browns picked a qb at the end of the 3rd round it told Sanders all he needed to know. Who knows why he has slipped so far but it appears to be a combination of things.  It cost him over $37 million from a first round pick to sitting on the couch wondering what happened.  One thing Sanders needs to learn – there is no I in team.  When he threw his offensive line under the bus after a loss, or leaving the field before the game is over it all adds up.  Just have to wait and see if a dose of humble pie makes a difference.

Just got picked in the 5th round.  This is his chance to prove the naysayers wrong but t he draft has spoken.  Come in to camp, learn, keep your mouth shut, Dad needs to stay out of it, prove you are a pro and know your role.  There were serious reasons the teams picked 140 folks before you.  But at least the Browns who have had 40 quarterbacks in the last 25 years are willing to take a chance.

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Wind

Being at the base of the high mountains leading into the San Luis valley it is windy in the spring.  25mph is common in the valley which is known for the wind.  One thing that it also affects is the lakes.  Most here are reservoirs and are bowl shaped, so the wind can be a factor.  There is no nooks or coves in most of them so when it blows it can get rough fast.  While it will slow down soon it was windy yesterday.

I am still struggling to catch the Kokanee in Beaver.  It is a new endeavor for me, so the learning curve is high.  The plan was to stick with it yesterday morning, and for 3 hours I kept after it.  Filter feeders, the motivation for them to bite is simply a reaction. If I were guessing and I am one bite was a Kokanee, the other few fishing deep were random trout.  Switching to trout the hour before quitting was as productive as always.  (No pics today forgot the camera.)  That will be the ongoing plan on Beaver, keep searching and learning and then at quitting time catch a wad.  It is part of my ongoing development as a fisherman.  I am committed to not being a one trick/one fish pony.  If it was easy it would not be any fun.  And the plan is a great way to spend the day.

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We have big wind the next 3 days then it starts to decline.  On the plate next week is a trip to Pagosa to fish Echo Lake.  It has everything from trout to bass to catfish.  In fact the state record largemouth at over 11 was caught there.  Another lake on the plate is north of here and by next week the ice should be off.  Plenty of time to fish and places to go.  So keep stopping and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

One of the things we love about Colorado, is what at times is some really interesting weather.  We had what is probably the last snowstorm of the spring and it was a doozy.  It snowed around 24 hours and before it was all done we got around 10″ plus.  It quit on Saturday night and then that cool Colorado thing happened, it all melted on Sunday and it was 60 degrees.  So we just hung out Saturday and enjoyed the snow, and then I went and got the boat.

The weather is fabulous and consequently I got the boat out today.  The lakes are open, and the season is on.  First up will be Beaver Lake which is closest to the house.  I enjoy fishing it and it is never a question of catching; it is more what and how many will be caught.  It has the Kokanee salmon which are a little tough to catch there but this being my first full year that should change.  And there are plenty of other lakes to come so I am excited to get at it.

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Beaver Lake

It is so nice to not have to fight the crowd or deal with crowded ramps.

I headed out about 9:00 to the lake.  As usual the drive can be fun and besides seeing around 30 mule deer and then when pulling into the parking area there were 2 elk above the lake on a grassy hillside.  With the weather in full spring mode everything is feeding in the fields.  The deer just eyeball you but the minute I turned the truck into the lot the elk headed back in the timber.  But a good way to start the morning.

There was not a soul in sight, in fact other than a couple of guys later in a jon boat and then some bank fishermen I had the whole lake to myself.  The plan today was to just troll and check out the water level and how it related to the points.  The first hour or so it was just one bite, then it started picking up.  Starting with a bronze small minnow bait on one rod and a white/pink spoon on the other it seemed to be a tie as far as how many ate.

A nice limit of pink meat rainbows.

I trolled both on a flat line about 60′ back and most of them slammed it.  The best area was on the sunny side of the lake as it was only 40 degrees when starting and the water temp remained a cool 40.  Most of the fish were close to the bank, and a couple of the can’t miss banks from last year were it.  The wind was swirling some, but it warmed up nicely as the morning went on.

The other thing I wanted to do was troll the deep water and see if any Kokanee showed up on the locater, but the deep water was fairly devoid of fish.  My guess is some of the fish showing up in the 30 foot range were them, so that gives me a starting point for tomorrow.  They are caught using a completely different technique so next up will be a morning concentrating on them.  There is lots to learn but I will keep after it.

It was an easy 20 for the morning and no complaints.  In fact I never tied on a different bait all morning.  It would be hard to overstate how nice it is to not have to fight the knuckleheads at the ramp and on the water.  As many of these lakes are no wake people act like fishermen, none of that 70mph wide open nonsense.  And speaking of that I cannot fail to comment on the MLF deadly wreck below, it has been coming,

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We headed out to Creede about 21 miles away for a cold one.  Of course nothing was open, that will change starting the 1st.  It is the Colorado Rockies.  This is what they call the mud season, and most businesses are taking a break before the tourists come.  On the way there and back we saw maybe 40+ Bighorns.  One thing you learn here is if you like animals and photos never leave the house without the camera, you never know.

These guys have a ways to go but nothing like Bighorn rams no matter what size.  They were giving us the side eye.

That have really gone to year/ram/ewe bunches.  These boys were right in Creede.

The sheep and deer have really ganged up by class, age, size, whatever they are hanging with their buddies.  Herds of deer are common, and interesting enough the turkeys have hit the road.  Where they go who knows but it will be fall before they return.  And the prairie dogs are out in force, so the season has changed.  Will definitely head up north of Creede to fish a lake I have not fished yet, which happens to be where we see the moose.  Man it is fun to live here.

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MLF Boat Wreck

It was sad new that 3 people were killed and another couple hurt when apparently a tournament boat going around a point slammed into a striper guide boat.  From what I read the bass boat went over the top of the center console killing the guide and a couple of customers.  There have been a couple of different reports but it just might have been foggy.  The tournament angler survived, usually the way.  One of the commenters said it might be time to look at the speed issue.  You f’n think!

My memory might be a little fuzzy but here is some background.  Back in the 70’s as boats and motors progressed at a rapid rate BASS made a major change.  The rule then was the HP maximum was 115 on tournament boats.  It took a couple of years but they finally lifted the limit and the race was on.  I was there when a 70hp was something then along came the Black Max.  I had one on my Champion 16’8′ and trust me, running it wide open was flat stupid, just one dumb move from disaster.  We did not even have dual steering at that time.  The Boss hated that boat.

So things kept getting faster and faster.  Hull design improved and motors just kept getting larger.  Today the coast is even seeing big flats boats with dual motors.  The insanity continues.  And with it more accidents and definitely more bad behavior as the number of times tournament guys or guides are involved.  But even worse is the guy with more money than brains.  So it is time to talk about speed.  There is no reason for boats on freshwater or shallow coastal waters to run 70mp.  It was just a few months ago in a tournament I watched on TV where a bass boat hit a sunken dock and it ripped the motor off the transom.  There is no sense in that, time for a speed limit or some sensible length to HP rating.  I don’t know the answer but the lawyers are coming.  They better hope they did not send them out with fog.  That’s gonna leave a real mark.  My condolence to all involved.

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Thats it for today.  Spring is relly in bloom and besides the fishing there is still some travel in the plans.  And the Boss is going to do another a 5k in a couple of weeks.  In fact she walked a wildlife area today and found an elk mandible and a leg.  The woods here are full of the evidence of natural selection at work.  Around here if “you” don’t eat it someone else will.   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

As we continue to deal with my eye disease the real issue in my case is driving.  So we chose a place not a real long way from here, about 10 hours, to see how long I could actually drive and since I had never seen Rushmore we headed that way.  There were a few things we wanted to accomplish besides the driving, see Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse, and find and photograph some Mountain Goats.  Except for the driving it was a success.  More on that later.

Deadwood South Dakota was a good location for both the goats and the monuments.   This is their off season, and the motel prices were crazy good.  We stayed at the Landmark which is an old classic remodeled and not only great for walking around but a free 4 pack of brew and a small bottle of complimentary wine.  Plenty of downtown stuff along with some adult entertainment.  One thing I will say about Deadwood is do not bring the kids if you plan on staying downtown, with casinos lining the streets many places do not allow children.  Not saying there is nothing for them in the area just be advised downtown is oriented to “big kids”.  The best thing about our visit it was truly off season and there were very few folks around.

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Mt. Rushmore

The Boss visited the area when she was a kid and told me I needed to see Mt Rushmore just once so one day we went both there and the Crazy Horse parks.  Mt Rushmore was impressive.  I will say it is a one and done, takes longer to get there than the few minutes to view, but it is something.

Mt. Rushmore. 

After that we headed to Crazy Horse which is just 20 miles or so away.  Not only is it massive as they continue work, the tour inside the visitor center is top notch.  The history of how it came to be is amazing and the native American history and artifacts were very cool.  It was so worth the drive and the one thing that was so interesting is when they started the feds came in twice and offered up to $10 million to participate.  Rightly so they declined and kept control and fund raising because of the naked truth even today, they did not trust the government.  Work continues today and when finished will be a must see for all.

Crazy Horse.  His nose is 47′ feet high.

Hard to describe how big it is.  On the right is the work on the finger that will be on top of the horse.

What the final will look like, decades from now.

There has been some talk about putting Trump on Rushmore, which is stupid and not only would it dishonor what has been done but cost a ton.  And to illustrate some of the folks who support it please click on the link below.  And man, what a comment on the uneducated.

God Help Us

(1) Video | Facebook

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It was an easy short-day trip from Deadwood but I had alternative motives to visit by way of Rapid City – Bass Pro and Dakota Anglers.   Bass Pro was simply for a pair of fit over sunglasses and Dakota Anglers just to visit.  They are a fly shop which had everything you could possibly need.  They even had a replacement net for my long handle boat net.  Good folks, it was worth the stop so if you fly fish and ever visit be sure to stop in and see them.

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Mountain Goats

In our ongoing animal chase one that has been on my list for a while was the Mountain Goat.  Though we saw a couple in Yellowstone a mile away with a high dollar spotting scope I wanted to get close enough to really see and photo them.  The area has some, part of an original 6 that managed to escape years ago.  So our research said Spearfish Canyon right outside of Deadwood and we got lucky.

Good luck, we found a couple.

We put in the time and effort on our searches and this was an example of good planning making or good performance.  As we eased along the Boss said look up there, and way up on some rocks there was what looked like a big ass rabbit.  Look closely at the picture below it is his foot sticking out and it just looks like a rabbit.

The Boss made this great spot, they were way up on the mountain.  Looks a little uncomfortable but obviously not.

He lifted his head up and from that point he let us watch for a long time.  Through the binocs it was so clear and again the long lens at least let us reach out and get some pictures.  After a bit he got up and did a little grazing before disappaearing.  What a cool animal and he still had his winter coat.

He got up and stopped for a snack.

Always wanted to see one up close.  And while this was not close in the Binos it was amazing.  One big bodied animal.

The Boss then spotted as set of horns peeking out from the same rock pile and there was another one.  While he watched us he never did get up.  But this encounter made my whole trip.  And as I will get to, it was a animal watching kind of trip.

Its buddy never did come out from behind the rock.  Watching us watching him.

When we headed back to town as we dropped down the hill right on the edge of town there was a few sheep on the highway.  It was a fitting end to the day, and the amount of wildlife in the area, and on the trip, was great.

We did see several sheep on the trip. 

From the time we hit the road in Colorado until we got home we saw the following – Mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, bighorns, mountain goats, coyote, antelope, and the Boss even saw a black bear outside of Salida.  It would be hard to estimate the total but it was in the hundreds.  Stuff was on the move and our timing was immaculate.  We love our animals.

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And a final word on my ocular Myasthenia Gravis.  It has turned out to be a tough thing to deal with.  The best I have been able to drive in 3 hours, but when it is bad I cannot drive.  The medicine has some nasty side effects and learning to deal with that has been a hassle.  so this trip was a test trip.  We will continue to travel no matter what but have to learn to space out the distances.  But when you do not have to be anywhere no problem. Unfortunately, the days of knocking off 12+ hours without a sweat is over.  But hey, at my age it could be worse and we will deal.

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The weather was stunning, and we enjoyed the drive and saw some new territory. But the forecast for this area was and is big snow the next couple of days so we pushed it all the way home.  It is pretty certain we may get a foot or more but by Monday it will be back in the 50’s plus so time to finally get the boat.  And we will be heading to Oklahoma to see the grandkids in a couple of weeks.  From that point on we are looking at other places out west we have not visited.  Retirement is great.  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

If you have not checked them out lately please do so.  Michael has added several new and innovative products to the lineup.   Can’t wait to start wearing the fish out here on the new stuff.

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Echo Lake

This was my go-to lake when we would visit Pagosa Springs.  Since we were over there the other day I decided to stop in and check it out, as you can see it is cleared and beautiful with the mountains in the background.  It has the works in it, bass. crappie, trout, catfish and was always good for a limit of trout when we wanted the fish fry.

Normally I would have already been back with the boat but we are headed out of town for a few days to visit Deadwood South Dakota.  But as you can see the weather is fine so as soon as I get back here next week the boat will be out of storage for good.  And speaking of storage while our lot is narrow, I am currently planning for a carport where the boat will live in all summer and the truck in the winter.  We shall see if that gets done this year.

As far as the trip I have never seen Mt. Rushmore so that is on the list.  Though for me there is a pretty good population of Mountain Goats in the area which is one cool animal.  We have only seen a couple in Yellowstone so hope to get some good photos.  Some hiking and photography are definitely on the list.  And being the slow time there like it is here the motels are cheaper than all get out.  There is actually one more reason for the trip, my eyes.

It has been a struggle trying to regulate the meds with the eye issues.  Unfortunately, once I get outside the vision becomes a hassle, basically while driving in bright sun.  We think we have the medicine in some sort of order, trust me the side effects suck, so this trip will be a test run on how far I can take it or how we will space the meds to accommodate travel.  Ocular  Myasthenia Gravis is one weird disease but at my age it sure could be worse.

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Fish Fry

With the Boss whining about some fresh fish I headed to the river to see if it was possible to catch a couple of unders.  The legal limit on Brown trout is under 12′, which right now is a hassle.

He was long and skinny.

With the limited snow pack and rain the river is still low.  Today it was starting to rise some and had more color.  They would not cooperate on the fly rod so as usual outcomes either the Rapala or the jig.  The fishing was a little slower but after catching a few it was time to see if things had opened up any on my favorite local lake.

He jumped out of the net and was headed back in the river.

Don’t get me wrong I am not complaining about 14 – 18″ browns on lures.  They are aggressive and put up a good fight in the current.  And a few are kind enough to add a couple of jumps before netting.  But as far as fish fry’s the lake is the place.

On the way to Beaver I checked out my favorite small stream and there is a depressing amount of water in it.  There is still some snow way up and hopefully it will start running off and filling it to a fishable level.  But one thing about this area there are plenty of places to fish.

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Let The Games Begin

We checked out Beaver Lake last week and the stream leading in was open but the lake was still frozen.  But with it being so warm it had to have at least some open water and the creek end did.  While not a big bunch there was open water around the edges.  I walked in and the area was plenty open for some fish and it turned out to be great.

A Limit – Supper.

When I walked in I only took a spinning rod and fishing bag along deciding to leave the flyrod in the truck, which turned out to be to bad.  Since the Rapala was still tied on from the river it was first up but did not generate a bite.  With ice floating around some in the wind the water was ice cold, not sure that made a difference but with no results time for the olive jig.

Let the feast begin.

Trout seem to really like olive in jigs or flies so I tie my own in 1/16 or 1/8th.  I dug out a 1/8th and started tossing it.  With them not wanting to chase the Rapala I let the jig sink to the bottom, which was about 6′ in the middle of the creek and started hopping it.  From that point the bite was on.  While a subtle bite it was just soft when you picked it up and they were on.  Since I was to lazy to walk back to the truck I missed out on what might have been a good Wooly Bugger bite on the fly rod.  As a side note one of the things I want to learn is fishing the fly on the lake which should be productive given the amount of trout in some of them.  And I am due for a big one this year, just have to fish the right waters.

It turned out to be a mixture of Rainbows and Browns.  After maybe 10 or so one broke me off, it is 4lb test and it happens just often enough to remind you retying is necessary after a few.  But that gave me a chance before I quit to give the salmon egg a toss, no surprise they eat those year-round.  About the only time I throw them is when there is a quick need for a fish fry.

But the punch line is once we return it will be on.  Our temps are expected to hit mid 70’s today and remain in that range give or take a few.  The lake should be open by then and the rest of them are on their way.  Can’t wait to get after it.  Soon it will be up to Blue Mesa for some Lake Trout fishing as soon as the ramps open.  They should love the 5″ Knockin Tail, as will the pike on Navajo and it will be fun.  We still cannot believe we live here and appreciate it every single day.

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I want to thank you who still read this blog.  It has gone through some changes over the years and where we are headed is still up in the air.  Renaming it has entered the discussion.  Just a thought but since our lives have changed it might be a good time for a change and a renewed determination.  But who knows, no matter what I will continue to blather on, so keep stopping and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Looks like we have had the last real snow of the season.  While we may get a flurry here or there it is warming rapidly and the 5″ we got 2 days ago is going away fast.  Will be heading out in the morning to not only chase some furry stuff but to check the lakes and the ice.  I am chomping at the bit to get back on the water.  After catching a few salmon last year that will be my focus for a while.  Then maybe a lake trout trip north, or Navajo to the south there are so many places yet to explore.

And speaking of snow we have learned one important thing – so what.  It is totally different when you have to shovel and plow to go on with your life.  In our case we look out the window and say ok, snow day.  Read a book, make some baits, take a nap, and then it is gone.  It is interesting weather here, when we woke up to the 5″ the roads cleared in a couple of hour all by themselves.  So spring is finally coming and with it plenty of new adventures.

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That is a big boy!

The turkeys are going nuts behind the house every morning.  They are gobbling up a storm and in full strut as they herd the hens.  It is such a good way to start the morning.

Strutting right out the kitchen window.

The girls were not impressed.

A busy morning.

Unfortunately, I do not qualify for a instate hunting and fishing license until next year.  And of all things we live in one of the most popular hunting areas in the state and it is all draw, even turkeys. So next year here I come.  We never forget how lucky we are to live here.  The outdoors, the folks, the wildlife, it is a far cry from Texass.

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We had a morning drive to a different area the other day and the mule deer were impressive.  We saw 4 herds as they are ganged up big time.  Should have taken a picture of the first bunch just to show you what 50 deer at one place look like.

A very few bucks have their horns, he only has 1.

The deer have not completely left the neighborhood but they are moving in mass to the real woods.  Our bucks left first and there are just a few, as in 25 or more, left but there is still no shortage of them out our kitchen window.  And the prairie dogs are finally out.  They are one funny little creature.  Probably a good thing they are not normally table fare.

The Mule deer have herded up.  

But there are a couple still around the house.

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We have really enjoyed the NCAA basketball this year. And what is there to say about Houston and the incredible win last night.  What a game.  As usual the losers are acting just like losers complaining about the officials.  There is not much I agree with Dana White about except his opinion on leaving it to the judges – “Take care of your own business and you will have no complaint.”  Today we are looking forward to the women, it should be a a barn burner.  While we root for one or the other we just hope for a great game.

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Next up will be either Deadwood or Oklahoma to watch our grandchild pitch for her softball team.  (And a pox on the religious nuts in Iowa who decided that she does not deserve the very same protections all white religious hypocrites enjoy in Iowa.  She is a little kid for God’s sake.  Oops, my bad, God apparently has nothing to do with Christianity and children in Iowa.  Sick.  Stay silent and you are complicit.  Jesus would be proud.)  Other than those coming attractions we are loving retirement and play it by ear everyday.  The fishing is about to begin 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

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The Future of our Public Lands

I have been warning this day was coming and it is here.  The bottom line is they want to rape and pillage and, in the end, take our public lands and give them to the rich and connected.  I do not have anything against oil or mining.  As long as it is highly monitored and once done the land is returned as good as it was then no problem with me.  But open it up and then shut down regulatory agencies that keep them in check is asking for disaster.  Maybe you can trust the mining and oil business, but I don’t.  Past history is a great indicator of future behavior.

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The Struggle is Real

So the struggle to catch the Boss a fish fry continues.

The plan for the morning was to hit the small creek with the flyrod.  While the water is still low it looked great.  As I worked my way up stream it was funny, no bites and I did not see a fish.  After about an hour I found out why, I was following 3 guys.  No wonder it was slow.  To save the morning it was back to the Rio to hopefully catch a keeper or two.  And the struggle continues, see above.  After catching 4 or 5 it was back to the house to watch the NCAA’s.  Hard to complain when catching browns this size so next time will fly fish the river, while I may not fill the Boss’s order the size above are fun on the buggy whip

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Blast from the Past

5o+ Years Ago

My brother sent me this picture of the convenance, tackle, and bait store I owned in Mtn Home Arkansas.  I bought the business for $4k and ran it for 2 years before I sold it.  That store was my real introduction to the Twin Lakes area.  For the next 25 years I fished and guided on Norfork, Bull Shoals, the White and North Fork rivers.

It was during what can only be called the bass fishing explosion.  With Ranger, Champion, and Bass Cat I was fortunate to make great friends and the boating world expanded as fast as it could.  My tournament partner Larry was the production manager at Ranger.  John Storey the great boat builder was a friend of mine and our bass club was the power club in Arkansas.   The race was on.  Our bass club had Rayo Breckenridge who was the second Bassmaster Classic Champion.  I was lucky enough to fish the state championship one year but also had the misfortune to lead the club for 11 months only to lose the last tournament.  Too bad, it was a Champion boat to the winner.

And I was so lucky some folks took me under their wing, Dick was the best spinnerbait fisherman on the planet. Tad hired me to make lures and one of our spinnerbaits won a $50k Bassmaster tournament.  Our buddy Lenny ended up the Black Max for Mercury Marine’s new 150hp.  And the ten years after selling the store I lived at a boat dock and guided.  It was the time of the big stripers, 10 – 20lbers coming over the side at night and downrigging in the daytime.  Crappie fishing was off the chain.  And floating the White River was something.

The tackle world expanded at a breakneck speed.  Faster reels and I remember getting the first graphite blanks, we were the shit.  Then Lews came out with the original speed spool, and we quit having to replace gears to get our reels up to speed.  And of course, boats from 40hp cigars to the 16.8 Champ with a Black Max, which ran 72 mph and scared the crap out of the Boss.

While it was the time of my life since then it has not been too shabby.  Puerto Rico, Belize. Costa Rica, the Grat Barrier Reef, the Everglades, Falcon, the Snake, Lake of the Woods, and on and on.  It has all been the time of my life and it really started in that little store in Mtn Home.  I would not have had it any other way.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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The Boss and I are big basketball fans and have been binging the NCAA men and women’s tournament.  And being Razorbacks through and through the loss the other night was painful.  But I give them credit, with a 0 – 5 conference start and everyone writing them off they made it to the Sweet 16.  Like all diehard fans I cannot wait until next year.  And speaking of diehard fans the Boss will be headed to Indiana in August to see Caitlin Clark and the Fever play.  The week or so she is gone I am having a Canada kind of feeling

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After a lovely March it is about to get a little cooler with a random flurry or two but spring is here.  Robins, Stellar Jays and a host of others are migrating through.  The bucks have shed their horns and the turkeys are being turkeys.  Over the next week or so it is time for a couple of game drives as things are changing fast.  And the river will need a little attention.  I hope wherever you are you are getting out of the water.  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

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The fishing begins – Brown Trout

The view is always great whether they bite or not.

I admit waiting a little longer than usual before fishing this spring.  But the weather has been fantastic, so we have been doing other stuff.  But the fishing is about to begin in earnest.   Though the weather is about to cool off for a while the river and small streams are open, so it is on as I monitor the lakes and get ready to get the boat out.  But the real reason I went today was the Boss wanted a fish fry.  So off I went just a couple miles from the house on the Rio Grande and it was past good, but a total fail for her.

The legal limit is 12″ and these had no problem making that.

I have been fishing that hole in the river since we first visited.  A perfect combination of big rocks in the deep part, and good riffles at the head and the base of the hole.  With the ice just out they have not been fished in a while and boy was that evident.

They were smoking the #5 floating Rapala in what?  The brown trout color of course.  And they kept coming up to 18″ beating the 12′ limit.

That particular place is a big wintering place and a sure thing this time of year and they kept biting right along.  After a while I changed to a 1/8th hand tied jig head to give them a little something different and they were happy to oblige. Fished the Rapala with short jerks then reel, repeating it maybe 3 times before it got back.  The jig I let fall on a slack line then hopping it and letting it fall with the current.  All that fishing on the White River is not going to waste.

Ok fine, that is enough pictures with way more than another dozen to come, all 12″ plus.

Now the problem.  Good for me, bad for the Boss.  The limit is 2 and they must be under 12″.  It is rare trout fishing almost anywhere anytime you catch all nice ones and not a single small fish.  Today they were all 13 – 18″ and hungry.  Not sure if they were that aggressive so the little guys could not get to it.  So no fish fry for her.  A great couple of hours for me.

Tomorrow it will be off to a small creek near the house that has brook trout.  It is probably my favorite place to fish with a fly rod.  I get by with a 7′ 3 weight and though the trout are small it is big fun.  And it is often a dry fly bite, which makes it what it is.  With the spring run off just starting the creek is shallow, so there will be pretty defined places they will hold, the low water concentrates them so just have to see how it goes.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Last Sunday – Beautiful day in the neighborhood.

We actually live here!

A soul sucking 9,500 feet of straight up hike.  The air was a might thin today.  Just a question of how bad you want it.

Are you looking at me?

Told you don’t look at me.

They sure are beautiful creatures.

The elk are down in one of their winter ranges, but it won’t be long.  Baby time is coming.

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The ice is just getting soft on the lakes, but the 60 degrees plus weather has the thaw on the way.  I am really interested in seeing how the kokanee salmon react and if they are easier to catch compared to summer when they are really deep.  The few I caught last year were flat delicious.  Whether Alaska, Oregon, or Colorado, salmon right out of cold water to the plate is some good stuff.

We need more snow consequently it looks like our water may be low again this year.  Tough on the guides who rely on drift fishing but makes wading a lot easier for me.  Having not been here through multiple seasons not sure how high the river will get but last year the guiding season was a lot shorter than they need.  But like every year for a fisherman, the conditions do what they do no matter what we want.  It just makes each year interesting.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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