FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors 

I hate to even say it but have been feeling pretty good the last 5 days after a rough couple of weeks.  MG makes no sense, follows no pattern, never acts the same, and is nothing more than a life changing pain in the ass.  But you do with what you got so this morning it was time to hit the river.  With fishing basically closed after noon due to high water temps on the river and creeks it is a get it done early thing.

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The Rio Grande

The Rio is just a few blocks from the house and I was interested in what might be happening as there has been rain here in town and above us.  As I crossed the bridge in town it was muddy. and I mean chocolate.  It looked bad enough I almost turned around and went home, but experience kicked in and I figured it just might be better and a little clearer north, and it was.

Bite #1 on the Rapala, he smoked it.

The first couple that jumped on were small browns, especially by that hole’s standard.  But at least they were biting some in that off color water.  Switching to the jerk bait got me several bites, and unfortunately one broke off my good Rapala.  (Always if catch and release smash down the barbs on the Rapala trebles, way easier on the fish.)  A couple more got on but the plastic turned out to be the ticket.

The Micro plastic doing its thing.

It took a little searching but finally figured out they were at the top end of the hole in a little faster water where it dumped into deeper water.  Even on the plastic it was a reaction bite as the bites often came right after it hit the water.  It can be tough getting hook in some of them as the line is 2lb test and the plastic weighs a 1/16 total on a good day.  But it is something they are not familiar with, and it produces.

There are no 2 alike.  Beautiful.

Once I got the mico plastic bite down it was big fun.

Along with these I probably landed another 4 or 5 small ones, not a common occurrence in that place on the river.  It required real concentration in that fast-moving water with that tiny jig but once I got the feel it was fun as usual.

The Rio produces the occasional rainbow.

Before I called it a morning, I hit one more place and had maybe 2 bites, including the one above.  For some reason the rainbows are showing up quite a bit more often, and this one was a nice one.  When it is catch and release on the river, my choice, it does not matter what flavor jumps on.

The morning was a success for several reasons, but most of all because other than the small amount of shortness of breath that comes with the MG and tromping around, it was nice just to fish and not think about it.  One of the reasons we chose South Fork is what happened this morning.  Get up later, take your time, catch some cool fish, all within a few minutes of the house.  Life is good.

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Watch em’ grow.

Now that the bucks have returned to the area it is so cool to watch their antlers grow.  It seems like they are getting bigger every day.

The bigger boys are showing up in the yard.  He was with the one below.

There seems to be 6 or 8 good ones around right now, with more to come.  You just never can tell when you will see them but most days we see some.  These were 2 of 4 or 5 together and one of them has real promise.

The only shot I could get of his buddy was of him going away.  But look at not only the size but the stickers, he is going to be a real one.

It looked like this guy had 6 – 8 stickers or crazy points going this way and that.  He also had good mass, and we will be looking forward to watching him this fall.  Once the rut starts these guys go from being good buddies to rivals, and it so cool to watch.  Who would have thought that we would have big bucks fighting in our yard.  Will try to keep track of this guy and get more pics as fall progresses.

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We are finally getting a little rain.  While not a ton, it is random showers in the evening and anything helps.  Not sure how it will affect the river, but it should provide at least some relief to the creeks.  And the upper meadows have greened up some, and the Boss and her hiking club have seen elk, moose, and mule deer with young in the upper reaches, as in 10,000 feet plus.  Today she was at a new area and said there is a good-looking creek just off the trail with no one fishing it, so that is on the list for sure.  From the 90’s to low 50’s at night Colorado sure has some interesting weather.  And as I give this the last once over before hitting publish it is now pouring, hailing, thunder and lightning to beat the band.  Crazy.

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I may be far from the coast but have kept in touch with Michael and the Knockin Tail crew.  He was kind enough to send me the new Knockin Tail prototype plastic.  It looks great and as soon as I hit the lake will start seeing how the trout like it but there is no doubt they will eat it.  But my first impression, it will be a great addition to the line, and another go to on the coast.  Once this thing is perfected it will be a killer, but if I told you about it I would have to kill you all.  So, stay tuned.  Other than that things are great in Colorado and I look forward to the fishing to come.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines