FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

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You can put what I really know about turkeys in a thimble.  Love them gobbling and strutting, they are good to eat and that is the size of my knowledge.  But that is fast changing as spring is coming.

As it warms the boys are getting all bowed up.

Since I got back out here a couple of weeks ago the weather has moderated and the turkeys are getting wound up.  Looking back on it the toms did not have the color around face and neck, and there was no strutting.  Well here you go, they are working themselves into a lather.

They may be getting all worked up but the girls are not having it yet.

The have stated to chase the girls around but they are not having it.  But the toms are getting there quick.  I am so looking forward to when the gobbling begins, it has potential to be something.  As soon as a little more snow melts the Boss and I will hike up the mountain behind the house and check out where they are roosting.  And if we are lucky add a shed or two, which with the number of bucks around the shed hunting should be good.

Tail up battle.

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Had not seen this guy cruising my back yard.

Every morning and evening the deer filter out of the woods and come right down behind the house.  I am starting to recognize some but there is always new bucks showing up.  There was 3 others with this guy and while not a monster is a nice one.  That is why there are 2 cameras and binos ready to go just in case, which seems to be everyday now.

As soon as I am done posting this it is time to put the garbage can back in the metal shed.  The first grizzly of the spring was spotted in Yellowstone this week and with this weather the black bears here will not be far behind.  Since this place has regular bear visits every year our turn is coming.  In fact the resort where I stayed in the past when fishing is right down the hill and they had constant bear visits so it won’t be long.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I have to admit that this building project has me stressed out.  It was a stroke of luck that a recommendation from the real estate agent of someone that might be available worked out.  It would seem finding a builder would be easy, not so.  The majority in the area are 2 or 3 years out and are not taking any more work.  Basically, my guy does not do electric or plumbing so I decided to be the homeowner/contractor.  While it will save a buck or two, and Pete is a great help as he works in this neighborhood, it will be a relief when we are approved.

I filled out the paperwork in triplicate, did the drawings and submitted them yesterday.  As far as initial approval maybe next week, then inspection of the basic site then and let concrete pouring begin.  Of course, everybody has to have their fingers in the pie so there will be multiple inspections during the process.  And funny how the drafting class I took in high school has turned out to be useful.  Hope the plans are good enough.

That would be right out the living room window.

Of course, during this process, the old attorney in me came out.  So I read everything multiple times, found errors in the filing and the process and just generally obsessed with the whole thing.  (Reminded me what I hated about lawyering.)  My guy says don’t over think it so I kinda split the baby so we shall see.  A perfect example in the process is the pre-inspection by water and sewer with a written ok from them.   The Dude comes by hops out of the truck asks if the clean outs/sewer/water lines are covered with snow? I say yep, on the other side of the lot and requires neither for garage he says ok, bye.  I say what about the written approval, he gives a laugh and says you are good to go.  Love a small town, call and they come, and so far everyone at the local offices are like “nice.”  A definite improvement in that department.

To clear the site for inspection, and to remove snow to let the ground start to thaw, we took down a fence in the way and laid out the dimensions.   The former owners had it fenced for their dogs.  It was not 2 hours later and out of the corner of my eye I see a deer, on the patio.  Now that the fence is down it took exactly one day for the deer and turkeys to come even closer.  This project promises to go like clockwork, turn out to be a living hell, or somewhere in between.  Stay tuned for that.

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So yesterday after putting the baby (The application to the city.) to bed, time to hit happy hour and think about anything but that.  Long story short it has allowed me to meet lots of great locals.  Like the folks in the local offices they have been nice and welcoming.  When I go to leave there is a guy on the porch talking about the Colorado 600 which he is a part of.   He is telling a guy about saving the trails and keeping public land access open for all users.  Of course that is like throwing a steak to a dog and I am all in. I tell him I blog about it regularly on my fishing site.

He asks if I like St Croix rods, I tell him the favorite I own is one I only use here for super light line trout fishing.  His response, the founder is my best friend and their whole family have houses right down the road.  At this point I realize his hat and shirt are St Croix.  My life has been all about the fishing and this is a perfect example.  A gay friend laughingly called it gadar, in my case it is fishdar.  Then he tells me he will be here in 2 weeks and will introduce me.  Can’t wait to meet another legend.  Man I love my happy place.

The Colorado 600 is a nonprofit that advocates for motorcycles and 4-wheel riders being treated fairly as far as public land access goes.  Limited to 75 riders they head out everyday riding all kinds of trails, some with chain saws to keep the trails open and clean.  They get room and board and the majority of the money goes to the nonprofit.  One of my pet peeves as far as access goes is every user deserves their fair share.  These are OUR public lands, not the politicians, the bike riders, the hunters, tree huggers or fishing nuts.  It belongs to all of us.  As the outdoors shrinks preserving it and access for all is critical.  Here if you want to learn more.

Colorado 600 Trails Awareness Symposium

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Last my congratulations to Michael and his family on their successful Houston Fishing Show.  The first time I tossed the prototype Knockin Tail there was never a doubt it was a winner and would be a player in the plastics market.  The growth of the company has been fun to watch and it was a pleasure to be a small part of it.  Michael reports a record day at the show, and that other exhibitors reported a successful show.  Fishing is either #1 or #2 on the list of the most popular outdoor activities and it continues to grow and the results of this years show confirm that.  Sorry I missed it and all the folks who I would have seen.

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Time to get off my butt and do a few responsible things.  Then head back on the Beaver Creek road to see if there is a place or two on the creek to dunk a flie.  And looks like Saturday I will be ice fishing with Joe if it works out.  Plus, with spring break there are more folks in town and the next 2 weeks will be ski madness on the hill.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines