FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Last Saturday

It is finally cooling off some so it was really crisp when heading out before daylight.  This is my last full day in South Fork before I head over to Pagosa in the morning for another week with the Boss arriving Tuesday.  The plan was to hit the good spot with lures before the crowd gets up, and then head to one more lake in the area before calling it a day in South Fork.

Let me tell you it was freakin’ cold on the hands when I started fishing.  The second cast by far the biggest brown of the trip just nailed the minnow bait.  After a titanic struggle with a couple of jumps she was in the net.  Unfortunately the little camera’s battery was dead so no pictures but it was a good one.  For the next half hour they kept biting so I finally went back to the truck to get the other camera.  (And to warm up my hands even with 2 pairs of gloves.)  The next good one the good camera says no card, which was still in the computer at the cabin.  But got the card out of the dead camera and managed a few for pictures.

They were eating it up until the sun came up.

The fish were at the head of the pool in the shallower water and would just stop it.  A couple hit right at my feet in a couple of inches of water.  The browns have been so aggressive early.  A little before quitting I finally got the bite I was looking for.  The bait just stopped, and when I set the hook she headed right up the channel and then pulled off.  It was a big one.

A few more of the 10 or so!

So after a really successful 2 hours the sun was out and the bite was done.  The plan was to head back to the cabin, stop at the store and get a couple of bigger spoons to fish deep at one of the highland lakes when the plan changed.  On the way back a cool car passed me headed to Creede, then a couple of more, and then a caravan of Corvettes.  I stopped at the cabin and looked it up and low and behold a cool car show.  The plan just changed.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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With the show starting just a little later I decided to head back up north of Creede and do some glassing for sheep.  I did not manage to see any this morning but there is something so calming about only the sound of the forest as you slowly glass the hills.

No sheep this morning but what a great morning to be alive.

This is the area I found accidentally when looking for a lake.  No wonder there are sheep here.  After an hour without success time to head to Creeded and see what the deal was .

The view in downtown Creede.  There is gold in them there hills.

This is the view from where I parked.  There were tons of cars and people.  From hot rods to all original.  Corvettes, Ferraris, trucks, there was a little of everything.  Great stuff but this truck says it all about Colorado.

A man after my own heart!

And of all the hot rods this one caught my eye.  So well done, just the right stance, and while the light does not do the paint job justice it was immaculate.  The interior was understated and  perfect, such a well done resto mod.  Nothing says the good old muscle car days of my youth than one bad ass Chevelle.

My favorite.  I want one!

The rest of the afternoon will be devoted to 2 things, the Hogs and getting things a little organized for the morning.  As  it it not that far to Pagosa will get the map out and find a few distractions on the way to the motel.  There is a highland lake that is supposed to be a trophy lake so that is a definite stop.  But there is no real plan, no deadlines, just exploring and enjoying all the creator has blessed us with.  Those 2 things are good for the soul.

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The Boss is Here 

Basically I am going to do a major photo dump.  All I can say is having a great time and have barely picked up a rod in days.  To get to the point we went up to Silverton Ouray and let me tell you all good if you like high mountains, serious scenery, and a few critters to boat.  And outside of Silverton………

No wonder they were just hanging!

This was a real freakin’ moose!

He was hanging with his ladies!

As we came through the valley from Ouray to Silverton I told her, we will see a moose, the country was perfect.  And out of the corner of my eye I saw the flash of antler and we were able to walk back and get to watch them for a great while, which ended up causing a few other folks to stop.  What a great animal.  We have seen a few moose on our past trips but this guy was a really good one.  I would guess in my limited moose experience this is a big bull for the lower 48.

The Aspens were in full color change high up!

There are no words to describe the drive from Durango to Ouray, glad the Boss wanted to make it.  Fun drive and colors were in full bloom.

The hills of my dreams.  I can not get enough!

Up up and away!

If you ever get a chance to make the drive I highly recommend it.  And from the looks of things the trail driving is spectacular so that area will be making the list at some point.  The area is stunning.

Loving her new Yak.

And of course the Boss was itching to put the yak in.  That will be on tomorrow’s agenda, and I will catch some fresh rainbows for supper.  Just living the good life.

This was a pair working the lake.  Cool face on the one on the left and he was scratching when the Boss took this pic.

The best horns this trip.

His girlfriends.  Not sure what was up on pic #2.

Best I could do on the turkeys.  Really is a lot of them around here.

We have also seen a couple of fox and a couple of coyote.  As we have heard on this approximately 150 mile stretch the elk just have not come down, and our travels confirm it.  It is still warm and we are less than a week post muzzle loader and still some bowhunters but it has thinned out a good bit.

That will do it for now.  To tired to write any more.  (Not editing anything. So if it has some big errors we both will live.) Plus you get the point.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines