FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors
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A Hike
The weather is gorgeous around here. The road to Big Meadow is still “closed” at least according to the National Forest wesbsite. When we got to the road the gate was open and folks were driving to the lake. We decided to make the hike up first. It is about 2 miles to the ramp. We hiked a 1.5 miles up and 1.5 back. Once we got back to the truck we drove up to get a good look at the lake which still has some ice on it but will be open soon.
The run off is in full swing. But we need more, hope we get it.
Big Meadow Lake. About 15% still ice covered.
Bascially Big Meado is a put and take lake and well stocked. The bank fishing opportunities are great, and it is about a 3 mile hike around the lake in some great country. I have fished it several times in the boat and to say it is full of trout would be an understatement. We continue to enjoy all the woods here have to offer, and our summer season is off to a great start.
Looking back on the way up.
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Little Rascals
Our neighborhood as a huge population of prairie dogs which are cool little characters. They are busy little guys and there are literally dozens and dozens of holes. The stay alert and scamper across the road. A few don’t make it but there is plenty to repopulate. But the colony is in a big undeveloped field and it won’t be long before it is developed.
Always watching 6″ from their hole.
Run for it! Perfect turn at the snap of the pic.
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Shedeur Sanders
Both of us are big football fans. The Boss likes college better and I don’t care, if it is big time I am watching. Watching football when I was growing up was a constant in our house and much of the extended family. We have watched the draft religiously. It is cool to see them get the call and the family reactions. For most of those kids football is their life and in some cases have kept them on the straight and narrow. And in the draft character can be a real issue. And that brings me to Sanders.
The 4th round is about to start and he is still on the board. While character has been an issue when you look at his numbers, he is far from great or deserving of a high first round pick. He apparently had some interview issues and of course humility is not one of his better traits. Of course, Daddy is part of the issue no matter what the teams say. One of the teams that needs a quarterback is the Browns. If memory serves me Daddy made a comment or two on them prior. So, with 5 choices in the first 3 rounds they did not take him.
So how about a little history. First, the biggest bust and narcissist of the last 20 years, Johnny Football. I am glad we saw him at A&M, what a talent. When he slipped on draft day the Browns called him and I will never forget him telling the Browns that he would “wreck” the league. The only wreck was him, a huge waste of a early pick and bag on money. It would be hard to beat that waste of money, but the Browns did it again when they traded for Watson from the Texans.
They gave up a ton of picks and over $200 million guaranteed money to a dude who settled over 20 cases involving sex for millions and has been an absolute bust, along with often being hurt. When the Browns picked a qb at the end of the 3rd round it told Sanders all he needed to know. Who knows why he has slipped so far but it appears to be a combination of things. It cost him over $37 million from a first round pick to sitting on the couch wondering what happened. One thing Sanders needs to learn – there is no I in team. When he threw his offensive line under the bus after a loss, or leaving the field before the game is over it all adds up. Just have to wait and see if a dose of humble pie makes a difference.
Just got picked in the 5th round. This is his chance to prove the naysayers wrong but t he draft has spoken. Come in to camp, learn, keep your mouth shut, Dad needs to stay out of it, prove you are a pro and know your role. There were serious reasons the teams picked 140 folks before you. But at least the Browns who have had 40 quarterbacks in the last 25 years are willing to take a chance.
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Wind
Being at the base of the high mountains leading into the San Luis valley it is windy in the spring. 25mph is common in the valley which is known for the wind. One thing that it also affects is the lakes. Most here are reservoirs and are bowl shaped, so the wind can be a factor. There is no nooks or coves in most of them so when it blows it can get rough fast. While it will slow down soon it was windy yesterday.
I am still struggling to catch the Kokanee in Beaver. It is a new endeavor for me, so the learning curve is high. The plan was to stick with it yesterday morning, and for 3 hours I kept after it. Filter feeders, the motivation for them to bite is simply a reaction. If I were guessing and I am one bite was a Kokanee, the other few fishing deep were random trout. Switching to trout the hour before quitting was as productive as always. (No pics today forgot the camera.) That will be the ongoing plan on Beaver, keep searching and learning and then at quitting time catch a wad. It is part of my ongoing development as a fisherman. I am committed to not being a one trick/one fish pony. If it was easy it would not be any fun. And the plan is a great way to spend the day.
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We have big wind the next 3 days then it starts to decline. On the plate next week is a trip to Pagosa to fish Echo Lake. It has everything from trout to bass to catfish. In fact the state record largemouth at over 11 was caught there. Another lake on the plate is north of here and by next week the ice should be off. Plenty of time to fish and places to go. So keep stopping and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
