FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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It was a beautiful full moon that woke me up this morning.  The sky clear as a bell, crisp and cold, a real mountain morning.  So after a little breakfast and coffee on the deck it was time to make one last wade on the creek.  It only took a second to see, the water has really dropped.  But time in an awesome place makes up for that.

No fish?  Who cares when it looks like this.

While it had really fallen it gave me a clear look at where I was catching the fish.  As I worked my way down river I jumped a grouse, or he jumped me, and when he blasted off the bank right next to me it was something.  Talk about getting the ^%$# scared out of you.  I love it.

Working any chute or deeper spots where they were did not produce a bite, not even a pass.  The water was so clear.  Finally way down creek from the house I caught one last rainbow in a deep pool.  (2 foot maybe.)

This little guy was the last bite I would have this trip.

This trip has gone a long way to rejuvenating my fishing spirit.  Simple, no boat, no traffic, just walk out the front door and hop in.  Only the sound of the river, birds, and even a wad of coyotes this morning.  It so takes me back to wading the streams in southern Iowa growing up.  Those creeks now are just a shadow of their former selves.  I so appreciate what Colorado has done to preserve these beautiful streams and rivers.  The only downside – Looks like it is going to cost me.  Just what I need, more fishing stuff.  But as we are already planning another trip time to bite the bullet and join the modern world.   I can only guess how many I would have caught with the buggy whip.

One of the “problems” of visiting Colorado, to much great stuff to do.  I am happy with the fishing the last couple of days, next we are headed to an area known for lots of elk and deer in the summer.  As we 4wheel the mountains you can never tell what you will see next.  Man are we having a great time.

**********************A new bait coming soon!

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Chago – I thought you bought somewhere cool?

Yesterday we visited our buddy Chago’s place high in the mountains, basically at the end of the line, outside of Pagosa Springs.  He could not have bought in a better location, all I can say is wow and more wow!  I am sure the view was a 1/2 of the cost of the house.  And it is worth every stinking penny.  As the kids say – This is sick!  See below.

This is the views from his front yard!

All I could think of was a hot cup of coffee on the porch as the sun comes up!

Chago says that this is a mystical place and I could not have said it any better.  The drive itself from town is nothing short of spectacular.  I can not say it any more, what a freakin’ place!  Everywhere you look is flat stunning.  They have already seen a bear, and there are deer, elk, and even a lion or two.  And on the far bluff the state wants to know if anyone sees the Bighorn Sheep.  (Chago – better get the best spotting scope you can buy, set it up on the porch, and go to looking.  What a view!)

And on the way there are several vistas overlooking the big valley that just boggle the mind.

What a view.  One of several on the way to his place.

And you can never tell what might be right around the corner, along with this girl we saw a flock of turkeys on our drive.

Pretty girl.

As you work your way up the mountain the road becomes a forest service road, which is not plowed in the winter.  As his place is in what is called a 3 season area once the big snow falls the road is closed miles from his place.  Think that is a hassle?  No, just the opposite.  The house has everything for winter living, they just have to access it by snowmobile, horse, or hike.  Can you say snow cat?  They are surrounded by forest for 4 wheeling, hiking, snowmobiling, hunting, and anything else you would ever want to do in the mountains.  I can only image what it will be like this winter.  So quiet with only the sound of the wind as you gaze out on that view…..and if that does not recharge you what would?   Chago, even your glowing words did not do it justice, but how could it?  And my words could not do it justice either.  It has to be seen.  It truly is magical and your family will get a lifetime of enjoyment.

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And speaking of self sufficient.  There is a wooden bridge crossing the river to the small community where we are staying.  Once you turn off the county road the community is responsible for the roads. The day before we got here a heavy truck broke through some of it and now the boys are out there fixing it.  Neighbor helping neighbor, I love it.  And in the winter they do not get plowed and everyone down here pitches in to keep it open.  Just another example of the folks who live here.  A hardy bunch who are always willing to lend a helping hand.  Just another thing to love about this area.  So when we head out on our afternoon drive in a couple of minutes we will take the low water crossing, nothing like getting to use the 4wheel drive.

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It is hard when writing about the mountains to articulate without being cliché.  Words like amazing, awesome, stunning, just can not convey the feel being there.  So on our last afternoon we took a ride along the Continental Divide through the national forest.  Running along a ridge through dense forest with open meadows high in the mountains the ride is known for seeing animals.  But there was 2 problems this trip seeing wildlife.  First it was the couple of days during the full moon and you know they were out running all night.  Second, and probably the reason we saw only a mulie on that drive, bow season.  It did not sink in until we hit a stretch where there were 5 or 6 camps full of bow hunters.  So I am sure things were all stirred up.  But we will take that drive again, hopefully with a little snow before they close the road.

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As you can probably tell by now we had a great time.  How good?  Maybe back in October.  We want to stay in the Creede area next trip.  A cool old mining area, it has a big river with multiple access areas that we checked out on our first day.  So the fly rod is in my future, one of those hobbies like turkey hunting I have always avoided as I have enough hobbies to go around.  But nothing like a new adventure.

Since we wanted to stretch our time as much as possible we made the 17 hour drive home in one day.  We have done that kind of thing many times together, but maybe not quite that long again.  So we came to this decision, all the way on the way out, then a stay one night on the way home.  A little concession to age.

Now back to real life.  The LTS is at the marine service for the annual checkup so will be interested if that is done.  Just checked the weather for the next 10 days, same old, same old.  Today will be getting stuff back in order and hopefully on the water in the morning.  So keep stopping and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines