FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors
Inc.
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Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
The Boss saw a photo on Facebook from the Refuge of some sandhill cranes. Every year the city has a festival celebrating the arrival of the sandhills and it was last weekend. I headed over there Monday morning, but they were few and far between, and what I did see where way too far to get a photo. But boy was there some geese!
Every once in a while I take a good one.
One of the bigger ponds was absolutely jammed with geese. Coming and going and making a world of racket. Unfortunately the leeve/path to get closer was closed so these were all I could get from the road.
There were thousands of geese on the marsh.
They mate for life.
Not sure if they are on top of a beaver hut or what but they have obviously staked out their nesting spot. And when you see them on the ground their wings are deceptive. Once open and landing you realize just how big their spread is.
They were packed on this pond.
This picture is off just a small part of the pond. Not sure how many were there but it was a ton.
Keeping watch.
Coming in for a landing.
While the sandhills were a bust it was worth the drive. There were a few ducks around and I did see about 20 sandhills but there was just no way to get to them. Next time I am back over there will make another swing through the refuge, never know what you might see.
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.
For all your wading needs.
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Grand National Meat – Del Norte Co.
For the last few years we have been coming out here and stop at the elk meat store between Del Norte and South Fork is always part of the plan. They have all kinds of elk, venision, bison, axis, goat and who knows what else. While not exactly cheap it is worth every penny and is delicious. Beats crappy Wal Mart meat by a mile. When I stopped in this week in preparation for the Boss I got a treat I was not expecting.
As I paid I mentioned that I cannot wait for shed hunting season in 6 weeks. She said come on and let me show you some sheds. That would be 2 big buildings with piles of them including moose, elk, whitetail and mule deer along with a few others. It was impressive. On the way to the second building we went through the dog treat room, which is one of their bigger businesses. There was a guy who spends all day with a saw carving antlers into perfect size dog treats. I mean bin after bin, hour after hour, day after day. Really interesting and no wonder shed hunting is such a big deal in Colorado though they get stuff from all over. Their sign said paying $16 a pound for prime elk sheds. Loved seeing their operation and thanks for the tour.
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Looked out the window yesterday and there bedded down behind the truck was 2 does.
They did not appreciate me opening the door.
Since we took down the fence we have had a lot more traffic in the yard. Funny watching the turkeys who take ther shortcut to the backyard and then spend 10 minutes trying to figure out how to get past the fence. Turkeys are not known for their brain power. But based on the number of tracks following a snow we have lots of visitors day and night.
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Once it warmed the big boys disappeared, but the girls are just hanging out. You never know what you will see on a walk.
Well my first go round with the building permit was successful and I picked mine up at the city hall. While the ground is not near thawed enough to pour concrete it will not be long. But there is a certain amount of tear down necessary before framing can start so that will start Monday and after that we shall see how long it ends up taking. I told Pete that the Boss will be here this week and as far as that goes she has the final say. This is one of those projects that could go great or…………. And I would like to compliment the folks I have dealt with at the city. Really a friendly bunch of folks, a complete 180 degrees from dealing with Victoria. A totally different mindset and greatly appreciated.
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Though I did not plan on spending this much time in the house the last 2 days it always happens when the NCAA basketball tournament is on, I end up watching. Drama, last minute heroics, the agony of defeat it has it all. And like yesterday the upsets continue.
The Hogs had a messy but effective win over Illinois. One of their problems the last month was finishing but they held on to win. Next up Kansas tomorrow and that will be no small feat. But like all fans hope springs eternal, could be a miracle. Now A&M was another story.
Should have known when Sir Charles said he expected them to win easily. (So did I.) I was not that sure but figured they had a real chance. They were bitching about their seeding but you take what you get, plus you have to win no matter where you are seeded. So they went right out and literally stunk up the joint. I am watching my 5th game right now and have not seen anyone they would have beaten playing like they did. So on to next year for the Aggies. Plus, they messed up the committee’s hope they would win and play Texas. Who after watching Texas it is hard to not be impressed. (Some Aggies haters, shall we call it like it is, Longhorns would say they lost just so they would not have to play them. But with them joining the SEC and realignment expect them to be rivals in the new configuration. Should make for some classics.)
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A front blew through here the last 24 hours and the Boss said it hit south Texas just a little after that. It is not going to get above freezing today, but this week is going to really warm. With that we should get more melting on the rivers and creeks. And though we got a couple of inches last night and it is not above freezing, it has all almost melted already. Snow comes with being right below the most snow in Colorado. Spring is on the way and with it the fishing. Plus I will be back in Texas in a little over a week and will hit the lake and bay hard before heading back this way. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
