FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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Our view out of the window on our visit to Cripple Creek.

We took a drive up toe Cripple Creek and spent the night.  It has changed so much since our visit there over 10 years ago.  We stayed at the new casino and had a great time walking the old town.  The highlight of the drive was seeing several lakes on my list, some with trophy trout and pike.  In fact when we signed in the guy at the desk showed us a picture of a cutbow that went an easy 10lbs caught from the bank at an area lake.  It was good to talk to a fisherman and it just fueled my desire to lay the smack down on the fish in this high mountain lakes.

It has been a fun week with the Boss here and today we are starting to prepare to head back to Texas.  The weather has been stunning and as you can see from the mule deer below they have not dropped and are beginning to leave the neighborhood.  But on our walks there are still plenty around and I never get tired of seeing them.

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This morning while we were eating breakfast and watching the news the sounds of gobblers war ringing in the mountains.  It might seem a little early but they have started to turn colors for the spring and these pictures are 30 feet behind the house.

That is one awesome gobbler!

Fighting and preening they were in full strut this morning.

*************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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We had a little snow last night, and the wind was topping out at somewhere between 50 – 70mph.  So we waited to take our walk until noon and then headed to the store to pick up a few things.  Then we made both a great choice and a bad choice.  We forgot the “bag” which carries all our survival gear and camera and binocs.  All I have to say is dang it.

Elk headed over the ridge.

We did not intend to head up to the good area, it was just a drive to check out the river, which is still frozen solid.  But we just kept on going and then it happened, the reason we love it here.  To make a long story short, over 50 bighorns, dozens of elk, and coyotes.

What made the lack of a camera and binocs such a screw up, I never leave home without them, was we came across 4 coyotes hunting as a pack in a big field.  It was so awesome to get to watch them hunt, finished as one took the big jump and took a nose dive in the snow for his dinner.

It is impossible to tell how many sheep were there but if you look in the background they were all over the ridge.

We did not see any big rams, but without the binocs we could not see higher up but there were sheep literally for a mile or so from the road to way up the mountain.  I have seen lots over the last year but words do not do the numbers we saw today.  Unfortunately it was IPhones for the pics, but one advantage, we spent time watching without our face in a viewfinder.  Everyday it is my privilege and honor to get to witness what is stunning wildlife.  It is our own Yellowstone.

So awesome, not sure what he caught but then he heads for a drink.  And the black spot above him, one was bedded down taking a snooze.  The other 2 were way out in the field.

There were 4 hunting a big pasture.  I know this is blurry but when you take it with an IPhone from over 100 yards it is tough.  But the point is getting to watch a hunt is a joy and this guy cooperated.  So what a drive.  While it is hard to do it justice it was one great outdoor experience.

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It is mixed emotions as we prepare to head back Thursday.  But for me the anticipation of finishing the rigging on the Lund and fishing for the next 2 months in Texas has me giddy as it will be the last spring.  Then finishing the time there with the Chandelier trip will be a perfect finish.  The plan is to be back here in the middle of May and the new fishing adventure will begin.  The goal, learn to put Kokane salmon in the boat.  As they are basically a land locked Sockeye it will be great to have a steady stream of fresh salmon.  So the adventure continues.  The next time you hear from me will be back on Coleto.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines