FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

After spending Sunday morning working on the “finished” garage I decided to head way up above South Forks, in fact 20 miles, for a high mountain hike.  It was 86 when leaving the house but 70 degrees when I got to the old forest service road that I have seen in my travels.

It is closed to motor vehicles but open for foot and horses.  Now this road is way up in the middle of nowhere.  Being out of cell phone service preparation is the key to not screwing up.  Bear spray, pistol, walking stick, compass, fire starter, small first aid kit, water, emergency blanket, and letting the Boss know where I was hiking in case the bear gets me, or I don’t contact her when back in cell service.

Crazy beautiful.

The house is at 8,500 feet and there is a certain amount of acclimating to the altitude.  When you have lived at 600 feet it takes just a little getting used to.  But when you head up well over 10,000 you can feel the difference.  So I took it slow and hiked a mile or so out and then back.  Suffice to say I could feel it, all a part of learning to live here and enjoy all that it offers.

This tree is just cool.

Different.

Millions of trees have been killed in Colorado by the Emerald Ash Borer and I am guessing that it was the culprit in the demise of this tree.  It easily caught my eye, one of those stumps that if you look at it just right you can see all kinds of images.  Reminds me of the trees in Lord of the Rings.

A closed forest service road.  Great way to hike.

The real pleasure of a hike this high, dead silence other than the rustling of the leaves and the occasional bird.  The only wildlife besides the ever present ground squirrels, a mule deer did cross the trail way in front of me.  But there was plenty of sign of both elk and mule deer, and some bear scat on the trail.  And I am still looking forward to finding my first elk shed but it was not to be today.

A small high mountain lake.

If my exploration of these types of places continues like it looks like it is time for one of those emergency beacon GPS that allows you to keep in touch via email, and if needed to send an emergency signal to a center that monitors the satellite that it operates off.  Anything could happen no matter how careful you are and with cell service 15 miles down the mountain it will be good investment.  While I am getting “old” I do not plan to slow down, and definitely love hiking in the real outdoors.  And a hike to high mountain lake with trout is coming soon.

It really was a high mountain hike.

So no matter where you are get out there and do something.  Life is short and the world awaits.  It does not have to be a big mountain, or some exotic location, but get off the couch and do something outside of your comfort zone.  If this old man can do it so can you.  Make your own adventure, you will be better for it.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I got this kind comment from Rick, a long-time reader.

Still read and appreciate every post you publish. You are the perfect example of “if you can dream it, you can do it”. I’m so tired of people that are always complaining about everything under the sun when all they need to do is get off their ass and make something happen. You sir are a do’er and I’m so happy you have found your paradise!

First off thanks for sticking with me.  And you are so right about folks complaining and then not doing.  I have always said it is in the doing and the Boss and I have confirmed that over and over.  She says we all have a habit of staying in our warm and fuzzy spot, easier that way.  And if you are comfortable doing that good for you.  Adventure awaits those who overcome their fears and take the plunge.  Does it always work out, of course not.  But we only get one run at this and we choose to live it.  That nonsense he who dies with the most toys wins.  A better saying:  He who dies with the least regrets wins.  As usual your comments are appreciated.

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My buddy Rusty, an accomplished fly fisherman and tier,sent along this comment on my first venture into high mountain small stream fishing.

Get you a 6’-1wt “buggy whip” for those small creeks. There are some gorgeous small trout in there.

It does not matter where or what you fish for, we all need more stuff.  In this case it is right on point, the whole venture is a major downsize operation.  I thought my 3-wt was small but if I am going to spend the rest of my life on this path guess I will buy “one more rod.”  (Sure, just one more rod.)  As usual appreciate your comments and advice.  Nothing better than help from someone who has “been there done that.”

And a side note on “one more rod.”  As I start to downsize and transfer the stuff I intend to keep a huge pile of fishing stuff is now taking shape in my tackle room.  Amazing how much stuff I have accumulated over the years and the time has come to be realistic on what I will save and what will be sold.  In the future I will only buy “one more rod.”

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You Must Be Kidding Me 

I know you may not care about my past postings on Chronic Wasting disease, but if you care about the whitetail population in Texas, or you are a big hunter please read the following posted on the TPWD website.

News Release: July 19, 2023: Chronic Wasting Disease is a Real Threat to Texas Deer – TPWD

Amazing how in this post they put the onus on landowners and hunters for the problem that may have originated in captive populations.  If this is such a serious problem, then why not one word on most cases which have come from captive deer breeding facilities.  While that may be true due to more testing, so what, it is here.  The breeders sell high dollar deer to rich landowners and high dollar high fence operations, which in the long run are not relevant to most Texas hunters.   I just do not understand whoever wrote this; completely ignoring the breeders where the problem has been repeatedly detected.   I find this to be completely self-serving and a complete failure to address the elephant in the room.  They seem to say we can solve the problem, which is nonsense.  They just had a release not a week ago on cases found in captive breeding populations, but hey, they want us to do this and that when a big part of the problem is staring them in the face.  Hypocritical.   Like I continually say, follow the money.

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Today it is a quick stop at the lumber company, as I make our home a better place it is always something.  But then off to one of the local lakes to catch some stockers for supper.  Then if things work out it will be some serious fly fishing tomorrow.  Some many things to do and so little time, but it sure is fun doing it.  So keeps stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Rant -The World Has Gone Nuts

Florida’s 2023 Social Studies curriculum will include lessons on how “slaves developed skills” that could be used for “personal benefit,” according to a copy of the state’s academic standards.