FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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How can you have a successful failure?  First take a look at the view below, that is where I tried something new to me.  So would you call this view a success?  I call it paradise.

My fishing spot at 10,000 plus this morning.

The first stop was Beaver Lake for a few quick lure casts.  I managed a couple of stockers but with it getting later in the morning wanted to head way up to fish a little tiny stream.  On a prior trip to a lake even higher up I saw this valley with a small stream running through it and always wanted to give it a go.

Best looking parking lot in a while.

When I got there not a soul in sight when a couple of guys pulled up, and kindly asked which way I was going as they did not want to crowd me.  Very nice of them.  Informed them that I was not a danger to the fish and go ahead and just start a little above me which they did.

So lets get to the failure.  Other than catching really small chubs on my grandparent’s farm when I was little, I have never attempted such a small creek.  This creek was crystal clear, and obviously the fish were in the undercut banks as other than a few shoots there was nothing deeper than inches.

As to my flyfishing ability I am a rank amateur.  I can catch a few on the river and lakes, but this is a whole other animal.  Locally there have been fish caught on a dry fly in multiple places so I tied on a really small one on a 2lb fluro leader.  The bugs are out here, the mosquitoes were out in force along with other flying critters.  But my best efforts did not produce a bite.  I was beginning to wonder if it was not me, but that was answered by the 4 or 5 other guys fishing the valley.  So it was me, which is not surprising as this was my first go at a high tiny mountain stream.  But no hurry that will come.

I have been so fortunate in my life to have caught marlin to bass, reds to tarpon and plenty in between.  At this point in my life it really has become NOT all about the catching.  In our travels several guides reminded us to always stop and look around and not forget where you are.  Remember it is in the doing.  Well, I am living it, trust me, where I fished this morning was as cool as it gets.  Just being there was a pleasure and a privilege.  While a fish would have been nice it would have made no difference in my experience.

Before heading back to the house took a drive even higher, almost to the tree line.  Saw a couple of muleys, one hauling ass elk butt, and scenery that just wouldn’t quit.  After turning around and heading back down I started to meet trucks and 4wheelers heading into the mountains.  Whether it is the coast, a lake, or the Rockies, when it is “on” go early, quit early, and then let them have it.  And always have the camera handy you never know.

She thought I was interesting.  So pretty.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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After seeing the picture of our house in the last post got this comment from Jim.

That is a nice looking house my friend. I assume that is yours👏

You bet.  It is the house of our dreams in the perfect place for us.  The fact that it butts up to the National Forest in the back yard, with a huge game trail, makes it even better.  There are so many muleys around, and in the winter it is crazy with turkeys, that we keep a pair of binocular on the windowsill as you never know what or when you might see something.  And I am proud of how the garage addition came out.  I wanted folks that see the house to think it was built by the same folks at the same time as the house and we did that.  It was a lot of work but literally put it to rest today.  (I was surprised how much I enjoyed the work, a little out of my experienc.)  Getting time for some fun.

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And speaking of the house the Boss wanted a nice mule deer skull for the house and we picked one up from a antler buyer.  He had just bought it in NM.  So she bought it and we took it to the Amish dude who does that kind of work and he cleaned it up.

A nice high symmetrical 8.

He will look cool on the wall.  (I have been instructed to not do anything involving decoration inside or out.  Probably for the best.) We also have a couple of whitetails and even a Cous deer.  Looks like those will all be fence decorations.

And for those of you on the front range Mose Mast did the work and we are really pleased, especially if you saw the condition before we took it there.  South of Alamosa, he has a shop so if you are needing some work like this hollar at him.  Nice guy.

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That will do it for today.  Tomorrow afternoon doing a little concrete work with Pete who was our guy on the garage.  Not looking  for a real job but a little work never hurt anybody, and nothing like a little fishing money.  So will hit the river at daylight to get the fishing fix in, looks like a good day.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines