FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

*************

After getting a few things done this morning time to head to Big Meadow and catch some supper.  One of the things I so love about here is that option, just head up to one of the many lakes and put a few in the pan.  And who does not want to enjoy this view while fishing?

Big Meadow, my favorite grocery store.

The wind was blowing pretty good today, and we actually got a sprinkle or two.  Went to my go-to spot for supper which is about 15 minutes from the house.  Between it and Beaver there are plenty of stockers to catch and it is easy from the bank.  Whether lures or if you want to get right to the harvest, salmon eggs.  So, I grabbed my supper and headed back to the house.

2 stockers for the pan.  Before and……..

…,,,,After.

I must admit it sure is nice not messing with the boat.  But don’t get me wrong I am still looking for the perfect boat for these lakes.  You can tell looking at the picture above it is very representative of the size of many of the lakes.  It does not require a big boat nor a big engine, but it needs to be big enough to fish a few of the other lakes that are somewhat bigger than the close ones.  So that search continues, and I am sure I will know it when I see it.  But no hurry, still looking forward to spending a little more time with the fly rod in my hands.

But work on the house continues as I strive to make it perfect.  The gutter guys are coming in a couple of days, and just sold a fence around the house, he will be here Thursday to take it down.  It just does not fit the “decor” and there is no dog in our future.  So the projects continue, but it is not like I don’t have the time, and with the woods and water right around the corner I will be sure to get some in every day.

*************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*************

The small stream exploration continues.  There is plenty of them around so I picked the one closest to the house for another go.  Beaver Creek is just right, no waders needed but it is cold.  And don’t forget your bear spray.

A really open area compared to the rest of it.

It is close casting with stuff everywhere so pinpoint casting is required.  Starting with a dry fly, not sure what it is called, 3 small ones, what most in the small high streams are, took a pass at it but did not even come close to hooking up.  I finally lost it in a tree behind me so next it was a hopper that my buddy Rusty tied.  Finally had a nice one blow up on it, but again no hook up.  I had one more halfhearted bite and called it as it clouded up and finally started raining.

Looking back on it I learned 2 things.  First it must have been an issue of the size of the flies.  These small creek brook trout are little, so little they will get.  On the way to the house stopped at Tricia’s fly shop and bought a few to copy at the tying table.  The Boss got me the works last Christmas and part of this adventure is matching the hatch whether a small high stream or the Rio.  But on the flip side I had no trouble reading the water, my bites all came exactly where I thought they would.  If I have learned nothing else most fish inhabit easily identifiable places, and these trout are no different.  So, it was more my execution than anything else and that is easily cured with experience.

While at the shop a couple of guides came in and reported what is basically slow fishing.  They were very honest with a couple of guys looking for a trip.  Monday 4 boats caught 8 fish, but the one group caught 15 today, so whether here or Texas, fishing is still fishing.  The water was high later this year with runoff and now it is warming fast.  They are basically only fishing morning trips until a little rain helps cool it some, which we are getting today.  One thing is for sure the bugs are out in the afternoon, when it warms there are hatches of little, tiny things.  A lot to learn but that is part of it.  Stay tuned I might actually catch one tomorrow.

****************

This from Ryan.

I’ve enjoyed reading your honest and informative fishing reports for years for both Coleto and the coast. Your adventures in the mountains are also a great read, especially as my wife steers us toward San Antonio after a week of vacation around Colorado Springs and south Denver. We’ll miss the cool mornings when we get home tonight.

In a few weeks I’ll be taking my 80 year old dad to a club tournament on Coleto, I’m wondering if you could share a couple mid august pointers that could start us in the right direction.

Keep up the great posts – I’ll keep reading them.

First off, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy the cool mornings, or the evening sitting on the porch with a book and a cold one.  So nice to have the house open 24/7.  But on the blog front the thing I appreciate most is you calling my reports honest and informative.  If nothing else I strive to make them as accurate as possible, a fishing report is what it is.  At times I am one of the greatest fishermen to ever hold a rod, others I couldn’t catch a starving fish in a bucket with live minnows.  All of us who are “hard core” know that we all have our days.  In the telling I always hope someone gets one thing out of all this blather, sharing knowledge is what makes it fun for me.   Why secrecy and lies have been a part of fishing for all time is beyond me.

Now to August on Coleto, we can both do the exact same thing, look it up which is what I just did.  Go to the search box at the top of the blog on the right and read each August Coleto report going back for years.  It was very informative, and I realize how much I have forgotten, and a pattern does begin to emerge.   So do a little reading it might surprise you as it did me.  Can you say buzzbait early?

So here is my first take, buzzbait until the sun if full up or an hour or so with no bites.  It seems in August when you catch a couple you have a shot at a good one.  While I have not fished it in a while, I have no clue as to what the water level is considering cover and the current water temp.  Concentrate on anywhere there is cover, especially on points and do not give up on the retrieve until it is halfway back to the boat.   One thing that was apparent from the reading was if you get the big bite re-fish it with plastics, that seemed to be successful.  If there is cover of any sort give the buzzbait an early go, it has caught me plenty of big fish on the lake, even in the throes of summer.

And most of my fishing at that time of year is way up the Coleto arm and pitch either a stick worm or pit boss style plastic.  Any color is fine as long as it is watermelon red.  And concentrate on hard wood like stumps or logs on deeper banks.  And I always peg the slip sinker on the plastic to keep the hangs to a minimum.  Another simple method up lake is using a bluegill swim jig on a slow steady retrieve.   And by “up lake” I mean above the bridge and keep on going until the lake takes the big left and you are “up lake.”  Shallow fishing is my thing and it has served me well on Coleto.  So good luck and let us know how you do, hope he catches a big one.  And thanks for reading.

**************

A few years ago, we were watching a bison kill in Yellowstone when out of the woods came a grizzly.  When he got on top of the kill, I realized just how big that bear was.  And if I leaned one thing it was stay as far away as you can to observe wildlife, it is a privilege that is in danger of being restricted in our parks due to the increased visitation by knuckleheads.  Long camera lens and good binocs can get you as close as you need to when bears, wolves, or bison, much less rutting elk are in view.  My biggest suggestion is there are a couple of companies that rent spotting scopes, a investment worth every cent.

If you happen to be in a park or anywhere else and someone is harassing, or way to close to wildlife, be sure if you film them turn around and film their license plate.  It is getting worse and worse and if it does not slow down, it could affect the way the parks operate.  When they are breaking the law or park rules it is time to hold them to account.  I could give a rat’s ass if they get eaten or trampled, in fact it would be cool to see.  I care about the wildlife and have no sympathy for ignorant “tourons”.  If you are stupid enough to get close to a dangerous animal, you deserve exactly what you get, either legally or with a well-deserved thrashing.

*************

And speaking of bears they are sure out and about the area.  Lots of folks are posting game and Ring cam footage of bears as they meander around town.  Of course, they are looking for food.  In one of the latest the bear came on the front porch in an attempt to get at the hummingbird feeder.  We can all live with them with just a little common sense; it is not their fault as they are just looking for an easy meal.  This is their yard; we are just privileged to be living in it.

*************

Tomorrow there is several folks coming to do several things so I will be stuck at the house most of the day.  But if things go well, it will be the end of the major projects.  While I have several other ideas the Boss has informed me no major changes until she gets here next week. somebody needs to supervise me.  She will be staying a little over a week before she flies back.  Then in just a little over a month we will be celebrating my belated birthday present, a trip to Teton and Yellowstone.  Following that in October it will be back to Texas to take advantage of the fall fishing at least until the end of the year.  It will be interesting on the blog the next few months so keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

***************

Don’t read this if it will get your delicate panties in a wad.

And one last thing.  I forgot to mention I drank a Bud Light.  And guess what?  I did not “turn” gay or want to change my gender.  Come on folks lighten up, it is just freakin’ beer. And if you are all about the sexuality of other folks that is kinda scary.

*************