FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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Our last day before returning to Texas we took one last run at the wildlife.  After our impromptu trip where we did not have the camera and binocs and saw tons of great stuff the next day we made sure we were ready to go and it was a jackpot.

Baby, and below, momma.  After seeing tons of sheep we kept going further up the mountains to an area that has classic moose habitat and there they were.  Low areas with bushes seem to be their favorite place.  You can cruise lots of places before seeing one as they are not exactly tons of them in Colorado, but today we got a close up treat.

Momma was not all that happy to see us and she and the calf headed back in the timber.

Then we see calf number 2, and mom was just a little further on.

Unlike the first 2 these were not the least bit concerned we were there and we got to watch them feed.

We consider seeing a moose close to seeing a bear or a lion.  We have been fortunate to see both on our drives and cannot wait to see what the future holds.  One thing we are searching for is a lynx, another holy grail animal for us.

Then as we worked back we found 3 groups of elk on the ridge.

We had been watching a large herd of elk the last couple of weeks who were on their low land wintering grounds.  As the weather has moderated (Minus the 5 or 6 inches of snow yesterday.) the elk have deserted the lowland and seem to have broken up into their normal groups and headed up.  The time to really see them is on their migration either down in the fall or back up in the spring so nothing beats time looking.  It is just like fishing, you never know unless you go.

A fox one of several we say today.  This one was a couple of hundreds yard out and this is as good as we can get with our camera.

One thing that surprised us is the number of coyotes in Colorado.  We have seen a ton once the snow comes by cruising in areas with big fields and using the binocs.  They love those areas as it has all kinds of little edible creatures.  While they are often to far away for a picture we love watching them through the binocs.  If there is one piece of advice I can give anyone who wants to see wildlife do not scrimp on the binocs.  Good optics make all the difference and the Vortex High Definition get the job done.  We are lucky in the area having a plethora of cool wildlife and our retirement will be spent viewing them.

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

For all your wading needs.

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As you know I love it when folks comment, especially from new folks so here is a couple that have a Colorado or western flair to them.

Love fly-fishing, but let’s remember to practice catch and release and always take care of our streams! It’s our responsibility to keep these places healthy.”

Absolutely!  We need to treat our streams just like we do our boat.  Whether the boat or our equipment, boots and waders:  Clean, drain, and dry.  While the spread of exotics is probably unstoppable in the really long run we can all do our part to preserve and protect for the folks that are coming after us.  And as far as catch and release there are plenty of places the state of Colorado stocks plenty of trout so if I want to eat some I just head to the lake and catch me a limit for the pan.  I so appreciate you both commenting.  Thanks.

“Just had the most epic morning on the river! Landed a gorgeous brown trout. The hatch was insane, and my snubnose was the ticket. Feeling grateful!”

From my fist brown trout 50 years ago to my last on the Rio close to the house I have never gotten tired of catching them.  I so look forward to my next adventure.  And when you say hatch I was on the water when it happened for me the first time I was hooked.  So thanks for the comment and cannot wait for ice out at home.

And to any of you who read this out west, keep in touch, the western adventure begins in earnest.  I can not wait.

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Live Scope

This week the Bassmaster’s are in the Santee Cooper lakes and it is intersting how not a single person in the top 10 last week using the Live Scope are in the top 10 this week where you are required to actually figure it out.  The thing about a Live Scope is you can become proficient in the technology without really learning to “fish.”  It seems to be a short cut in a big way and as the season plays out we shall see who comes to the front.  A video game can be played by a 6 y/o, at least that is the way I see it.  So you can catch them when you see them, big deal, how about when you can’t?

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The Lund

It has been a pleasure to rig the new boat.  While some was of it was a pain in the ass I have this one exactly the way I want it.  The only thing left is the new bigger radial tires that will be shipped to the house sometime this week.  All I have to say is no wonder rigging is so expansive.  But I am proud the way it came out.

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Tomorrow morning it will be off to the lake the first trip of many over the next 2 months until heading back to Colorado for the summer fishing.  There are so many lakes with tons of options for multiple fish and I am so excited to start the new boating/fishing adventure.  I can feel a big one coming on in the morning.  Until then I intend to flog these Texas fish until then.  So keep stopping in and the reports will becoming regularly.  And to all of you that still read this stuff, thanks.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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