FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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We got a solid report on an area where the Bighorn ewes were bringing the new lambs down to graze in the morning so we were off at sunrise to see if we could spot them.   Unfortunately, we did not see them going or coming but one of the things we so love about the mountains is you never know.  As we were passing through a big valley where we have encountered a coyote or two the Boss slammed on the brakes and made a quick u turn.

Coyote puppies hanging out at the den.

She saw what she thought was a few fox playing on the railroad tracks but it turned out to be coyote pups.  She hopped out to take a few pictures and they took off, but only went a little way to what turned out to be the den.  These pics were taken with the 600 lens and then blown up some more, considering the distance am happy with the result.

The Boss got out of the truck when she saw them playing on the tracks and started taking pictures and it was back to the safety of the den.

Just hanging waiting for mom to bring back breakfast.

Clearly coyote pups, as long as they were around the mouth of the den they felt safe and settled down while we watched them.  What had been a slow morning turned around immediately.  We see plenty of coyotes here, way more than I would have thought, but this was the first pups at a den.  Now that it is marked in our memory it will be annual spring thing.  When I think about it we have seen bear, elk, deer, turkey, coyotes in the last week or so, and this is really off season for wildlife.

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Friends

He is definitely the Boss.  Guess this is what you would call a long beard.

The tons of turkey who inhabit the neighborhood are usually gone most of the summer.  A few stick around and these 2 guys are regulars.  The long beard leads them around as they pass in the back yard most days.

And this is his buddy who follows him everywhere.

Looks like someone is putting out some feed a few doors down and they hit the same area that the bear was in a couple of weeks ago.  Of course it is against the law to feed wild animals in Colorado and it is not a good thing for the animals in the long run.  But hey, we get to reap the rewards all year so no complaint from me.

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Tenkara

I really am getting hooked on fishing the Tenkara rod in really small and at times incredibly shallow waters.  The direct connection between the rod and the fly makes for an interesting dynamic.  It is really something to feel them bite, a change from normal fly fishing.

The learning curve continues.

With about 15′ of line out, 11 is the line from the rod to the tippet, a 4 – 5  foot tippet and no reel it is direct to the fish.  Casting once you get the hang of it, especially in my case, is much more accurate, which you need in small waters.  The location of the fish is very specific and usually really small.

These little guys are a blast to catch.

Once the fly lands the advantage of the Tenkara comes into play.  You lift the long rod so that the fly line is out of the water so there is no drag and no need to mend.  The tippet is near invisible, ask me how invisible when I am trying to tie on a new fly, and you basically follow the fly down stream.  It really is an efficient way to fish a target and occasionally you even feel them hit.  Keep in mind I am using a nymph style bait I tie myself, and fly is the appropriate word, they are 1/10 the size of an actual fly.

There are as many color variations as there is fish.

It really is time for this kind of fishing.  But the runoff is beginning to slow and you can see the water dropping every day.  What that means for the future is it will be back to the river as the flow diminishes and the wading is not so hard.  And of course the lake is calling and I will be spending time at the lake chasing the Kokanee as soon as I get over this Tenkara obsession.  I have never had so much fun catching small fish!

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A little out of focus but the antlers are on the way.

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And this question from Rusty a long-time reader.

Did you get up to Poge Lake yet? It’s where I got my first Kokanee salmon on a fly. I was
fishing for and catching trout and then there it was!!
Beautiful and way up there but worth the journey

Funny you should mention Poge, it happens to be on our way to the high roads we hike.  So now that you mention it, I should definitely stop and give it a go.  The problem right now is I am so into fishing with the Tenkara.  As the water starts to fall, and the runoff is dwindling, fishing small streams is almost perfect. As can be the problem here, too much stuff to do all at once.  I will get there soon but with the grandkids coming this week it will be boat fishing for trout in the lake.   Good to hear from you.

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It is full on summer here in South Fork.  Rafts everywhere as folks are fishing the Rio and floating.  The ATV’s are all over, the trails and lakes are being used with campers all over the woods.  It is tourist time, and we are happy local businesses are getting it while they can.  Plus in a few short weeks it will be back to a quiet little mountain town.  But this week coming up is going to be as busy as it gets.

With that said the grandkids will be here this Friday and they are going to get the full monte of living in the Rockies.  Fishing, hiking, rail biking out with a return raft trip back, and a horseback ride to the Continental Divide.  Things are shaping up for a fun week.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines