FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors
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It is easy to forget how lucky I am to have so much fishing close to the house. This week I hit 3 that are all different in not only character but in what you catch and how you catch it. This is a good representation of what fishing the mountains is all about.
This – Away from it all.
There is a really small stream above 10,000 feet that I have fished in the past so with folks here for the holiday I figured I could get away from them and it was a good choice. There is something about being way up in the mountains with only the sound of the wind and wild things. Other than the occasional truck headed over the mountain it was just me and the fly rod.
Super shallow and clear as a bell. But there are fish there, and critters.
The area I fished today was a valley with the creek running through it. As you can see it is really shallow, and it takes a little work to get at all it has to offer as brush lines most of it. Not sure who was most surprised when I jumped a mule deer who let me get within 10 feet before she bolted. And with all the cover I wear my bear spray, especially now as they are roaming in search of food and who knows when you might run across one with cubs. No cell service and little chance someone would just randomly find you it is important to keep the Boss informed where I am heading. But all of that works together to make it what it is, amazing and breathtaking.
This is a good one for a small stream.
Casting accuracy is the name of the game, the bite window where they hold is tiny and poor casting = poor results. But I am getting a little better, but I did learn a lesson or two today. I took the Tenkara but I think the 7′ 3 weight fly rod would have been a little better choice simply for casting in really close quarters. When you are fishing in the woods it isn’t exactly easy. But when you catch one this size out of a small spot it is a thing of beauty. Adding to it is the reward you get from tying the fly that closed the deal.
A common size in small creeks.
Most of the trout in this size stream resemble the one above. With more experience the occasional good one will show up. Caught 5 and lost 2 lifting them up with the Tenkara, barbless hooks do that but are so much better for the fish. The learning curve continues but the bigger thing – where it is taking place. Air and water as clean as anywhere, the chance to encounter who knows what in the wildlife department, and basicallly just you and the mountains!
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Or That
The Lake
For a complete change of pace there is always the lake. To say it is full of trout would be an understatement. My search for the Kokane continues and either I am the worst Kokane fisherman in the world, or there are just not that many in there. My search for the actual stocking records has not been successful but I will find them sooner or later.a
It was a good day as far as size was concerned.
Since I put the trolling plate on the motor the speed is not an issue, and it seemed that the rainbows were a little bigger. Now that I am using line counter reels getting accurate depths is improved. Just like all the fishing here there is a learning curve and I do not mind the process. Next week when the kids are here I will get a chance to fish Williams above Pagosa where I actually have been able to catch the Kokane, hopefully that will continne.
A nice one on the Pro-Troll Kokane Killer.
It is so nice to not really have any competition. As with many lakes in Colorado it is a no wake lake which keeps the ruckus to a minimum. It is pleasure to not have folks blowing by you shooting a rooster tail. The lakes here are summertime sure thing, and makes for a nice few hour trip right by the house. Can’t wait to get the grandkids on some fish, perfect for new fishermen.
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Or Some of This
The Rio Grande, a brown trout factory.
The river is another animal. It runs close to the house and is covered up with fly fishermen right now. It would be nice if the water level was a little higher but the floating is still good and the dry fly season is about to get in full swing. In my case fall is my river time, fishermen are reduced to a few and the water level is down and the wading is much easier.
One of the most beautiful fish on the planet.
But that is not to say they are not catchable on my old favorites, jigs and small Rapala’s. There is a deep hole close to the house, and it has been my go-to for catching browns on lures. Their favorites, 1/8th olive feather jig or small Rapalas in a brown trout color. If one does not work the other usually does, today it was the jig. The average size is nice and they put up a great struggle in the current. And one of the things I like about fishing for browns is once you figure out the method it can get really good. They are aggressive and lots of fun to catch on 4lb test.
Love catching them on my hand tied jig. They sure like the 1/8th olive.
I tried to fish it yesterday but by 10:00 the river was covered up with fishermen. With the 4th on Friday the holiday week is in full swing right now. 4 wheelers and drift boats/rafts are everywhere and folks are taking advantage of all Colorado has to offer. Our neighborhood is full of summer folks and they are all putting money into our small town. We do not mind the crowds, it won’t be long the rush will be over but until then the businesses will be getting it while they can. As the weeks results show in spite of the crowds the fishing is fine.
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Bigger than my Head!
Now that is a pork tenderloin. Will be eating more of it for lunch today.
Our friends that opened a restaurant last month have been telling me about the pork tenderloin sandwich on the menu but was not available yet. They were having an issue with one of their freezers and as soon as the part came in it would be ready. Last night we went over to eat, and it was home run. One of the foods of my youth growing up in Iowa, Ben’s put them all to shame.
The secret is he actually buys the tenderloin, cut and pounds, then puts it in his special seasoning, all his food is good but his fried is exceptional. Suffice to say no wonder it was so good. Having eaten hundreds growing up I know a good pork tenderloin when I eat one and this was great. I will be sure to ask him why he put this on the menu; it is not common in many places. He is a real chef, and Chevy and Stevie the other owners are great folks, and it looks like they are going to be a real success.
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This guy is wide and will be a good one.
While the animal “traffic” is slow in the yard right now we still have plenty going on. Just the other day as I looked out the back windows here comes a beautiful coyote. There is a small “bench” on the side of the mountain that they all use traveling along the edge of town. The coyote was heading towards the area the turkeys are using and the bear was at the other day. The turkeys saw him coming and headed up the hill and he followed. We are so blessed to have the constant visits and we are so enjoying watching the mule deer.
The deer have seemed to have split up some from the big herds of early summer. Now they seem to be hanging with a buddy or two. Antlers just started to make an apperance lately and now the growth spurt is on. There is some with the growth going straight up and others with wider growth. But the splits have started, and it will be fun watching them grow this fall until the rut is on. Bears, coyotes, turkeys, deer all are regular visitors, you just have to look out the window at the right time.
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That is enough rambling for today. The kids will be here this weekend and Gramps and the Boss are about to spoil the crap out of them. Fun every day from fishing to floating, rail biking along with a horse ride to the Continental Divide. Growing up our family did not have the money to do this cool stuff, to many kids. Nothing being able to spoil them a little, plus they are city kids and a little taste of the mountains will be good for them.
I hope you have a happy and safe holiday. It is an unsettling time in the US, but it is still our country right or wrong. So set it aside for the weekend and have some fun however you define that. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
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