FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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Now that is a spike!  And it is all good when the light is right.

Fishing was on tap, but I made an executive decision to make my favorite loop drive for 2 reasons.  First, we have some potentially serious rain coming today and animals historically tend to be on the move.  The second storm, archery for elk and mule deer opens on the 2cnd and the area I was driving will be full of hunters soon.  Part of that is over the counter tags so lots of out of state hunters come.

In fact, besides the regular folks camping the hunters are already here with more coming.  There were lots of camps with trailers and noone there, just staking out their turf.  As I headed back down the moutntains met 4 or 5 campers headed up.  So glad I made the drive this morning.  Stuff will be quite a bit harder to see with all the hunters out and about.

It was one stunning morning in the Rockies.  Being in the clouds is still a wonder to a kid who grew up in a corn field.

The drive is rough at times and before it is over you hit the tree line.  It takes about 4 hours but since most of it is under 20mph watching the woods it is part of it.  Funny. heading up until I get to about 9,500 I don’t see all the many deer but from then on you have a good chance of seeing plenty, and today was one of those days.

Saw at least 4 mommas with babies, one had twins.

They were really on the move today and I saw as many fawns as I have all year.  But it won’t be long until they are on their own when the rut gets in full swing.  And funny how momma will give me a little time for photos, the fawns are still just a little suspicious.

There she is in close up.  The spots are going away and they are growing up.

She gave me the old foot stomp warning, her baby had already hit the road.

Amazing how many families I saw today.  But that won’t last long.

I had hoped to see some elk as last trip I saw a cow.  But they are still way up there, and deep in the woods.  There is still a world of areas I have not drove yet and as my experience grows I should see more during the summer.  But with the rut right around the corner not to mention the first snows they will be a little more accessible.  And with some of our local areas being designated as trophy areas with limited draws there is still a chance to see a few before heading back to Texas.

It seems the 10,000 foot range is about right for the grouse.

Bet they are good to eat but how you would hunt them in these mountains I will never know.

The coming rain had them on the move.

Could not get him in good light.  Might have been an immature bald but hard to tell.

One thing that has surprised me is how few raptors I see.  And those that I do, usually bald eagles and ospreys, are generally around water.  This guy took off out of the grass and dropped whatever he had.  The picture could have been better but it just added to a busy morning for wildlife.

This guy had huge front beams, but stuff happens.  Took this as he was on a dead run.

So as you can see it was a doe kind of morning.  I saw maybe 4 bucks and the last one I saw was the one above.  The reason I am showing you this is another example of how photographing wild animals is not easy.

I saw this buck from a half mile away.  Bedded down on a hillside on the edge of the woods he stuck out like a sore thumb.  A real beautiful buck.  The light was perfect and it was going to be the shot of the day.  Picked up the camera and nothing, the battery was dead.  I brought a spare battery just in case (If you have it “just in case” no excuse not to change it before leaving the house.)  and by time I got it in he was on a dead run.  This guy was a real hoss but sometimes it just does not work out.  But like everything I saw today it is a privilege and a pleasure to have them share their home with me.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I am a mess sometimes with techn0logy.  Pete the builder stopped by and called me 4 times from the road in front of the house.  Not a one rang on my phone right next to me.  Guess maybe that is why I have got no calls this week.  In fact, I was blaming the gas company for not showing up last week, but they told the Boss they did call, so maybe they did.  Pete said put it on airplane mode for 5 minutes then take it off.  Then he called and it went through so who knows.  But at least I am back in action.  Apparently, both me and my phone are dinosaurs.

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Tomorrow will be up early and headed to a lake I have only fished once.  The goal will be a fish fry but the one time I fished it the only one I caught was not a recent stocker.  And it will be early as it is getting close to the last of the summer weekend folks as kids are back in school and the hunters are just arriving.  Then it will be heading to Durango to pick up insulation for the garage.  I am kind of “project” weary and that is actually the last one to finish off getting the house like I want it.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines