FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Last Saturday

It is finally cooling off some so it was really crisp when heading out before daylight.  This is my last full day in South Fork before I head over to Pagosa in the morning for another week with the Boss arriving Tuesday.  The plan was to hit the good spot with lures before the crowd gets up, and then head to one more lake in the area before calling it a day in South Fork.

Let me tell you it was freakin’ cold on the hands when I started fishing.  The second cast by far the biggest brown of the trip just nailed the minnow bait.  After a titanic struggle with a couple of jumps she was in the net.  Unfortunately the little camera’s battery was dead so no pictures but it was a good one.  For the next half hour they kept biting so I finally went back to the truck to get the other camera.  (And to warm up my hands even with 2 pairs of gloves.)  The next good one the good camera says no card, which was still in the computer at the cabin.  But got the card out of the dead camera and managed a few for pictures.

They were eating it up until the sun came up.

The fish were at the head of the pool in the shallower water and would just stop it.  A couple hit right at my feet in a couple of inches of water.  The browns have been so aggressive early.  A little before quitting I finally got the bite I was looking for.  The bait just stopped, and when I set the hook she headed right up the channel and then pulled off.  It was a big one.

A few more of the 10 or so!

So after a really successful 2 hours the sun was out and the bite was done.  The plan was to head back to the cabin, stop at the store and get a couple of bigger spoons to fish deep at one of the highland lakes when the plan changed.  On the way back a cool car passed me headed to Creede, then a couple of more, and then a caravan of Corvettes.  I stopped at the cabin and looked it up and low and behold a cool car show.  The plan just changed.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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With the show starting just a little later I decided to head back up north of Creede and do some glassing for sheep.  I did not manage to see any this morning but there is something so calming about only the sound of the forest as you slowly glass the hills.

No sheep this morning but what a great morning to be alive.

This is the area I found accidentally when looking for a lake.  No wonder there are sheep here.  After an hour without success time to head to Creeded and see what the deal was .

The view in downtown Creede.  There is gold in them there hills.

This is the view from where I parked.  There were tons of cars and people.  From hot rods to all original.  Corvettes, Ferraris, trucks, there was a little of everything.  Great stuff but this truck says it all about Colorado.

A man after my own heart!

And of all the hot rods this one caught my eye.  So well done, just the right stance, and while the light does not do the paint job justice it was immaculate.  The interior was understated and  perfect, such a well done resto mod.  Nothing says the good old muscle car days of my youth than one bad ass Chevelle.

My favorite.  I want one!

The rest of the afternoon will be devoted to 2 things, the Hogs and getting things a little organized for the morning.  As  it it not that far to Pagosa will get the map out and find a few distractions on the way to the motel.  There is a highland lake that is supposed to be a trophy lake so that is a definite stop.  But there is no real plan, no deadlines, just exploring and enjoying all the creator has blessed us with.  Those 2 things are good for the soul.

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The Boss is Here 

Basically I am going to do a major photo dump.  All I can say is having a great time and have barely picked up a rod in days.  To get to the point we went up to Silverton Ouray and let me tell you all good if you like high mountains, serious scenery, and a few critters to boat.  And outside of Silverton………

No wonder they were just hanging!

This was a real freakin’ moose!

He was hanging with his ladies!

As we came through the valley from Ouray to Silverton I told her, we will see a moose, the country was perfect.  And out of the corner of my eye I saw the flash of antler and we were able to walk back and get to watch them for a great while, which ended up causing a few other folks to stop.  What a great animal.  We have seen a few moose on our past trips but this guy was a really good one.  I would guess in my limited moose experience this is a big bull for the lower 48.

The Aspens were in full color change high up!

There are no words to describe the drive from Durango to Ouray, glad the Boss wanted to make it.  Fun drive and colors were in full bloom.

The hills of my dreams.  I can not get enough!

Up up and away!

If you ever get a chance to make the drive I highly recommend it.  And from the looks of things the trail driving is spectacular so that area will be making the list at some point.  The area is stunning.

Loving her new Yak.

And of course the Boss was itching to put the yak in.  That will be on tomorrow’s agenda, and I will catch some fresh rainbows for supper.  Just living the good life.

This was a pair working the lake.  Cool face on the one on the left and he was scratching when the Boss took this pic.

The best horns this trip.

His girlfriends.  Not sure what was up on pic #2.

Best I could do on the turkeys.  Really is a lot of them around here.

We have also seen a couple of fox and a couple of coyote.  As we have heard on this approximately 150 mile stretch the elk just have not come down, and our travels confirm it.  It is still warm and we are less than a week post muzzle loader and still some bowhunters but it has thinned out a good bit.

That will do it for now.  To tired to write any more.  (Not editing anything. So if it has some big errors we both will live.) Plus you get the point.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Thursday

I was up early and at the river as it cracked daylight.  It was barely 40 degrees and the wind was blowing.  The wind kept up all day.   The morning was a little slower than it has been, and only 2 browns hooked up on the streamer.  A couple others missed it, and it appeared I had worn out my welcome.  Of course I threw the book at them when the sun came out but it made no difference.  But that is not what is important this trip, it is really in the doing, and where I am doing it.

Love how they smack a streamer.

I stuck with it until 10:00 tossing assorted other stuff without any success.  One area of my fly fishing that is sorely lacking is knowing the “bugs.”  Surely there are particular bugs at different times of years, and obviously I am clueless.  My success has been fine, and the fish have cooperated on everything but nymphs, which leads me to the conclusion time to do some reading.  With Alaska coming next year anytime I can have with a fly rod in my hands is a good thing.

After stopping back at the cabin to eat something time to head to Big Meadow road.  The Boss and I were there once a couple of years ago, and I wanted to drive the whole road.  And the sign below says it all about why I wanted to drive it.

Ok.  Hold my beer!

Here is the view as you climb up.  The road itself is not as rough as many but it is an interesting drive.  This area had a large fire and is just starting to recover.  It passes Big Meadow and unfortunately ends at Shaw Lake.  The road is blocked at that point which was to bad,  Looking at the map it looks like a heck of a ride way into the mountains and ending at Hunter Lake.

This is what they were talking about. 

Shaw Lake.  The second lake on the drive, the road was closed above this dang it!  Only one small rainbow.  

I stopped and fished Shaw and other than a small rainbow not a bite.  I gave it the old college try but no dice.  So headed back down to Big Meadow and put the hurt on a bunch of stockers.  If it was fish fry time it would have been easy.

Lots of these little guys on Big Meadow.

It was a little tough fishing as the wind was blowing as hard as I have seen it in my visits.  But even then if you could get the bait down to a 10 t0 15 count you would get bit.  The Rooster Tail was the ticket and changing colors made little difference.  As soon as the Boss gets here and we get in the house some of these stockers better look out.  After amusing myself with these guys it was time to call it a day.

This was a cool drive way up.  Elk hunters everywhere.

But on the way back saw a sign for a Forest Service road I had not been on so I could not help myself.  Left my topo state map in the cabin so it was just a see where it goes thing.  Another stunning drive, it took me high in the mountains and there was this huge meadow.  Can you say elk?  So did the folks camping all over this area.  I finally called it a real day and headed to get something to eat after being out all day.

It has been a 4 wheeler and camping extravaganza this week.  After talking to several hunters it has been tough with the high temperatures and the hunting pressure, which is considerable.  Sone if the places they are camping are just amazing and as hunters know, it is not all about the kill, the camp is part of it and some were pretty elaborate.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I did something I have not done in years, I picked up a hitch hiker.  Now before you go all crazy on that let me tell you why.  First he looked just like my Austin buddy Todd and was about the same age.  (Not that there are not serial killers who look just like Todd!)  Second, he was outfitted in what I know for a fact was “the stuff”, expensive stuff.  Bush hat, 2 walking sticks, LLB from top to bottom, high dollar pack, this was not your average hitch hiker by a long shot.  He looked like the classic trekker.  How not average?  A geology professor from out East, he was hiking the Continental Divide trail when he hurt his hip.  (Sure he was in rock heaven.)  The plan was to take a train back at the end of the trail, but being unsure about finishing he got off the trail and was hitch hiking back to the Durango airport.  Interesting guy, he has travel extensively and we had a good chat till I dropped him off.

And then a funny thing happened to me later when I went for some BBQ and brews.  It was early and no one was in the bar until another gentleman came in.  He started off asking me if I liked football?  He was in his RV and not happy about not having the NFL channel for Thursday night football.  My answer was I am a Razorback and I am loving last weekend.  His response:  Me not so much.  Turns out he is a retired full tenured professor from Austin.  He is also a fishing nut so we had plenty to talk about.   What do you know?  A double dose of professors today.

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Friday

I am just taking it easy today.  I have burned the candle at both ends in the woods and time to sleep in.  Plus I have a little shopping to do before I pick up the Boss early next week.  When we come out here the carnivore in the Boss comes out.  We stop at the Elk USA and load up on elk, venison, and bison.  And since I was headed that way would stop in the grocery store and pick up a few things.

The lady asked what I was up to and told her fishing and animal chasing,  We talked elk, they have captive elk including cows and a 9 by 8 bull at the store.  She told me that right before the season started their bulls started bugling, and elk came down out of the hills in response.  But as soon as the hunting started, and with the temps still higher than normal, they went right back up on the high mountains and have not been seen since.  If anyone knows elk it is these folks.

The rest of the day will be spent on the porch swing reading my book.  Tomorrow will do a little fishing before heading to Pagosa Sunday.

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Off Topic Rant

As I travel around the country, and the world, opinions on Texans are as varied as the colors of the rainbow.  But those 3 pieces of human excrement from Texas who like a pack of wild animals assaulted a 22 year old hostess at a NYC restaurant take the cake.  Her crime? She was complying with the law and they just did not like it.  My opinion may sound harsh, but it is the behavior of wolves, coyotes, feral dogs, not human beings.  There is no excuse.  WTF is wrong with people?  What kind of upbringing allows for violence on innocent folks as the answer to a simple interaction?  The world is getting crazier and crazier.

Having represented some of the worst of the worst over the years there is one thing I have learned:  We are putting some of the wrong people in prison, and not giving long term sentences to violent criminals.  So what is my distinction:  Is it a crime of physical violence against a stranger?  If you commit a violent crime involving injury like these shining examples of humanity did for no reason, you need serious jail time.  Things happen between family, friends, etc, and while not excusable, I have always felt it is functionally different.  None of us should be afraid to do our job, enjoy an evening walk, or any other activity, or live in fear of random violence from a complete stranger.  Sorry for the rant but this kind of nonsense drives me nuts.

And to let you know how serious I feel about this it led me to turn down some really great job offers in the day.  I was offered both state and local prosecution jobs by several jurisdictions.  My favorite after I turned one down:  But you get a badge and a gun.  But seriously, here is the real reason, which I truthfully disclosed.  If I were a prosecutor I probably would not have lasted to long.  My reasoning, see above.  I would have been way to soft for some folks (The police departments.) depending on the crime, but commit a violent felony against a stranger and no mercy for any reason.  And have a prior?  I am going to take it to trial and let a jury tell them what they think of it, no offer of a plea bargain.  Of course the system would collapse, which ultimately is part of the problem.

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That will do it for the next few days.   I do have some comments to share with you and will get at that soon.  When the Boss gets here it will be back to up before sunrise and back at dark.  And she will finally be getting her kayak in the water, which will keep her busy while I fish. I might even be glad to see her!  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

`FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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It is Tuesday night and we just had a good rain passing by and it has cooled off enough I have a sweatshirt on.  It came down pretty good for an hour but starting to lookslike it is out of here.  The plan was to do a long drive in another area from where everybody and their brother is hunting, which sure keeps roadside sightings down.  I don’t blame the animals, don’t hunt anymore but on the other hand they sure are tasty.  But once it rained time to put it off until tomorrow morning, and it won’t hurt to give the brown trout a break.  Of the last 4 trips I have been here twice the water has been perfect, and it is close to that.  So besides giving the fish a break it will allow the water to absorb the rain and the color has a chance to be perfect in 48 hours.

I know I have said it before but it is such a pleasant change from the coastal fishing scene, every one has been so helpful.  The guy who moved in next to me comes here a couple of times a year and was telling me about a couple of other places.  The guy in the tackle store turned me on to a good lake.  Along with what a couple of other folks have told me I am idiot for not marking my map, guess I will get with that.  It really has been interesting.  Everyone I have come in contact with has been great.  Not sure what the difference is, but there sure is one.  So help a brother out, it will be the best thing you do all day.

So have the map out and just looking at some new places.  The dude at the tackle store, dreads and all, turned me on to another lake which I intend to hit, so that may be the plan.  Or who knows, might just go glass for sheep.  Great thing about no plan and no hurry, very rarely are we are in a position to make that kind of choice for which I am so grateful.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

I decided to go ahead and do both.  First back to Table Top to see if anything was moving about, then Seepage Lake for some fishing.  Out before daylight and off to way up in the mountains on one beautiful morning.  It was a nippy 27 degrees at the top of the world. And not only to see stuff, but to do a little listening for Bull Elk.  Don’t think they are rutting yet but went to the end of the line and just listened.  The woods are not quiet if you listen, and then I heard a gunshot, which probably meant elk down.

Table Top.  The views go on and on.

But what has been the norm, nothing early.  Not sure if that is a function of the weather combined with, or because of, the ongoing elk season.  There are not nearly as many Mule deer in this area as over the mountain at Pagosa.  But still enjoy the ride and around 10:00 I headed to above the town of Creed to try out Seepage Lake.  It is a trophy lake and the guy at the store told me they get fish 20″+, which is a good fish for here.  And another thing it is in a sheep area.

The road was rough but ran along a couple of miles of high mountains, great sheep country.

Seepage  Lake

Fishing was a complete bust, the lake looked like it was down several feet.  By counting a spoon down it was not all that deep.  Then tossing all the old standbys did not even produce a bite.  I even resorted to a cast a bubble and fly, but no go.  As the bank was soft where the water had gone down there were a bunch of tracks, my favorite, a big cat track.  And where the lake is I assume some of the hoof tracks were sheep.  I was surprised by what looked like a muskrat when it swam in his hole right at my feet. And then an eagle flew over me, the highlight of the morning.  And not a person in sight.

At this point no animals, no bites, time to get something to eat.  After getting out of the real rough stuff, that road is a bugger, it happened.  My timing could not be any better if I tried.  I stopped, shut off the truck, staying calm I eased out, and here they came down the hill to the creek.

It was just to perfect, they were coming down a ridge to water in the heat of the day.  And apparently there is a patch of some grass they really like on the creek bank because they watered and fed.  Trust me they were not all that happy I was there and the old mama kept a sharp eye on me.  Once they got to the river they settled down and started feeding.  Score!

I have sure learned one thing, if you want to see sheep you have to go where they are, and then take the time to really look for them.  Have not seen a ram this trip, but if the girls are there the boys are not that far away.  As I spend more time looking the encounters are increasing.  Still have not found any glassing in Colorado like at Yellowstone but that could change tomorrow.

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I would not use the term frustrated, but the more I fly fish the more I realize that I have no clue.  I have missed some really nice fish, messed up a bunch of leaders, lost some flies, and not been able to generate anything not in a deep hole, a usual state of affairs for a new techniques in an unfamiliar places.  The fish are everywhere/somewhere on that river, but once the sun comes out it gets tough.  My shallow game is sorely lacking. One of the great guys I met who has been here 20 years told me that if we get the temperature drop and a cloud or two it will improve rapidly.  Fish is a fish is a fish.  So no complaint but a renewed appreciation of how technical fly fishing can become.  It takes me out of my comfort zone, fishing is a diverse sport done in different ways and places, and getting  to experience so much of it has been a blessing.

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Tomorrow it will be up early and chasing the brown trout with a fly.  Following that will head to Big Meadows Reservoir.  I caught fish there 2 days ago so know that is good, plus there is 2 more small lakes way above it that I have not seen.  Spoke with a guy last trip that says the one way up is one of the places he sees moose.  So if life is good it should be another great day.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I was at the river Monday as it just started to get light.  It was 45 degrees and the wind was blowing pretty good right down the river.  There were a few trout rising, nothing spectacular, but the ones that did were popping it.  On the 3wt was a dry with a dropper, the 5wt had a streamer.

After about 15 minutes I knew they were not wanting the dry, at least one that looked like mine, so time to switch to the streamer, and boy was that a good choice.  On maybe the second cast the minute I straightened it out one smoked it, leaving a big boil while it was at it.  Really a cool bite.

This was the first one.

A couple of quick pics and back in she went.  They were so aggressive that the minute you moved the streamer they were rolling on it.  The bite was on, I had the right bait.  I ended up catching 4, and then Oops.

Number 2, looking good.

I had a pretty good one on when I took a step and fell right on my face.  The water was not that deep, but it was 45 degree out and the water 50 at best.  Of course I had a jacket on, which one arm got completely soaked along with everything in the pockets.  It made it down the front of my jacket and into the waders enough that my shirt was wet.  One of those you hope no one is looking.  At least I did not break my rod.  The sun had not even made it over the mountain, the wind is blowing, and it is time to head back to the cabin and put on some dry clothes. It was cold.  So I called it day for wading and ended up cruising a couple of lakes and the tackle store of course.

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      At the lakes it was 5 0r 6 browns, 2 little rainbows, and this little brookie.

At Williams I caught 4 browns and one rainbow, and it was small.  The browns all look like the one above.  It ended up taking a spoon, casting it out, then doing a 20 count.  They wanted the one in the mouth of the brookie above, but of course the next rainbow broke the 4lb test and took off with it.  The wind was definitely up today and was really blowing by 4:00.  I managed 3 or 4 at the second lake but the wind had the grass floating and making it a hassle.  It was pretty slow on both lakes but I never spent a ton of time on either place.

There are so many hunters and I ended up meeting some folks from Clarksville, Arkansas.  They are here hunting, and have done so here since the 70’s.  They are strictly bow hunters, and he has called in lots of bulls in the past, including a 360 for his daughter.  They were taking a break and fishing for their supper and were absolutely smacking them.  How?  Powerbait of course.  It is a staple for trout and they basically fish it just like catfish.  Looked like about a 1/4 ounce sinker and single Powerball on a small hook just tossed on the bottom.

Actually reminded me of fishing trout on the White in the old days.  When guiding lots of those bottled salmon eggs, maybe a red wiggler, or corn.  Of course I prefer lures but if I wanted a fry today no problem, with Powerball you can cut that down to about 5 minutes.  Good to chat with some real Arkie’s, hope they get an elk.

So in the morning we restart the plan minus the getting wet.  It was basically my fault, no reason to move my feet when I have a fish on.  Will be out at daylight and starting off with the streamer and this time spend some time fishing the whole area.  Can’ wait.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

Tuesday

It was almost cold this morning.  The wind was not as bad but it was blowing right down the river.  I got to my spot before the sun came up and got organized.  Seems funny to have to put so many clothes on, I can get used to this.

I started with a streamer and while they were not biting as strong as yesterday morning I ended up having a good morning.  I think it was only 2 on the streamer, the rest came on a small minnow bait, rooster tails, and went ahead and caught another on the 3.3 Pearl  Knockin Tail just to confirm that they do like it.

This one slammed the Pearl Knockin Tail.

If I have learned one thing is that the browns are on the prowl at first light, and I mean no sun.  They are scattered in this big hole, which used to have a beaver damn.  Only 2 hooked up on the streamer, but it was not their fault,  I had several bites the I just did not get the hook in them.

The first one on the streamer and 1 on the minnow bait.

I will give them this, when using lures they are so aggressive and  just plain stop it.  As the sun started to come out the only benefit was warming up my wet hands.  The only wildlife this morning was a totally black mink who was working hard across the river.  Cool little creature.

Rooster Tail and Minnow bait.  

I wanted to try a couple of new places so the first one was down the river from where I was.  It looked great but I could not get a bite on a dry with a nymph dropper.  One did jump on the spinner but it was small, though it was a rainbow which the first one in the river.  Following an access road I tried one more place and caught only a small brown.  If I have learned one thing, I have a ways to go when fishing really shallow water.  I quit at 11:00 and consider the morning a success.

Time to do some laundry and clean up my own act.  Today I will hang around the cabin and head out for an evening drive to see if I can find some more sheep.  It is a different zone from the other area with all the hunters which is an over the counter bow and muzzle loader zone.  And while for some reason I never see a bear one did get on top of the dumpster here in the camp ground last night so there is hope.  Not much else to say today other than having a great time.  There are lots of folks fishing and getting out at daylight is the ticket.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Saturday

I knew it was going to be busy, but folks were sure out and about in massive numbers.  I did not plan on any real hardcore fishing today, like always leave the weekends to folks.  But I wanted to head up to Poage Lake, which my buddy Rusty said was a good dry fly lake.  It is quite a drive into the mountains ending at 11,000 feet.  On the way there were trucks parked here and there so when a guy in front of me stopped I did too.  When asking him what was up, it is bow season for elk and the muzzle loader opening, which explains everything.

One beautiful lake, almost to the tree line.

When I got to the lake there was a couple of guys from Alabama who were about to head out after driving all night.  The plan was to hike to a high mesa and camp a couple of nights.  As the weather has been so nice the elk are still way up, and I have not heard a bugle yet.

Sitting on a rock eating a bologna sandwich for lunch with just the sounds of the water.  Bologna never tasted so good.

So after hiking in to the lake there were trout rising everywhere and it was just me.  Man it looked to good to be true, but alas it was.  Suffice to say I ended up catching 4, all about 5″, and did not have a bite even on lures from a real one.  About the time I was headed back a couple came, him carrying a belly boat, her just to enjoy the day.  Last week on TV they were seeding high mountain lakes with stocker trout, and there were literally hundreds of them.  He immediately went to the middle of the lake where she told me the fish were.  What had happened is the lake turned over along with the addition of thousands of small trout.  And that is why the fishing was so tough but no complaints.

When I got back to the truck there were folks everywhere headed to fish, all packing belly boats.  There were a couple of guys who visit this area every year and were amazed at how many people were there, usually they rarely saw anyone else.  I talked fishing with several folks and again was so happy to see folks sharing info, baits etc.  What a refreshing attitude.  From there I stopped at Williams Lake and it was slammed busy.  A couple of smalls jumped on the Rooster Tail so I headed to one more lake on the way down and while no fish, there was a couple of interesting happenings.

Last stop of the afternoon.

First I saw 3 snakes, one water snake and 2 garter snakes.   As I was standing on a big boulder casting I looked down and there between my feet was a big fat ground squirrel who had not figured out yet I was a human.  After eating my lunch beside a high mountain stream I called it a  day.  Sunday I am going to take it easy, change cabins, and watch a little football and let it clear out for a hard week of fishing.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I never get tired of the top of the world!

The morning went just like it is supposed to.  Getting fish and wildlife to cooperate is not always easy, but this morning was a great start to South Fork.  Smashing some brown trout early, then getting so lucky and coming across a herd of Bighorn Sheep.  All I can say is get up early and get out there.  Go where the sheep are and you just might get your reward.  First up was a quick stop at a place where I have caught plenty of browns to just check the water conditions, and the whipping began.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

First up was the Rio Grande between South Fork and Creede.  I was still tired after a hard day of wading so all I wanted to do on my way to look for critters was stop at the beaver damn where I had my first great day on brown trout with a fly rod.  Using small minnow baits and a spinning rod just to see if they were there, they were, and the beat down began.  (One comment, bending the barbs down sure makes releasing easier.)

That hole was loaded with them.

8 or 10 jumped on but I did not want to stay to long, there was animals to chase, but there was one more thing to try.  If I told you that it was time to do a little test with the coming soon 3.5 Knockin Tail guess I might have to kill you, but this was a good place to try it.

Of course it caught brown trout.  As I have said, if it has a tail and gills it will eat the Knockin Tail.

Brown trout are animals, and can be aggressive when on the chew.  The plan was to test it on the trout in the lakes, and normally would not throw it on a small stream, but the browns were there so why not?  All I have to say about the smaller Knockin Tail is it should whip their butt on the lakes, and tomorrow it will get a real go.  So after an hour I was worried it was getting to late so headed to Pool Table road, where I saw the giant Bighorn 2 years ago.

(As a side note it sure is refreshing talking to fly fishermen.  Most are so helpful, and the ones I have met pointed me in the right direction with a couple of new places  and recommended the right fly.  None of that freakin’ nonsense on the Texas coast, where everything is a big secret, like it is life or death.  They are just fish folks.  Sharing information makes us all better fishermen.)

Want sheep?  How about 11,000 feet!  It was 41 degrees up there.

Pool Table road has been heavily logged and I assume it got the name from the huge logged over areas that are now pasture at over 10,000 feet.  It is a wonderful drive and I followed the road until it was nothing more than a pig trail without seeing a thing, not even a mule deer.  So I turned around and topping a hill there was what looked like a herd of mule deer coming off a ridge into the pasture.  So I headed that way and unbelievably it was a herd of Bighorns.  All ewes and babies, I got close enough to get a few pictures before they spooked.  It is tough to hold still when they are that far away but the long lens did the job.  This is never tripod shooting as it happens in an instant.  So here they are in no particular order.

I love Bighorns! There was 16 of them and they were kind enough not to totally spook.

Nothing more to say but what cool animals.  This will not be my last drive on the Pool Table Road.  And on the way down finally saw a couple of mule deer which finished off the morning.  This is not Yellowstone or Estes, the animals are not habituated and it all has to go right, and today it did.

Mule deer will just look at you until they decide if you are a threat.  Whitetails they are not.

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And from Rick.

Nothing to do with fishing, but just so you know….HOOKEM HORNS!!

I will be watching so we shall see about that.  Go Hogs!  WPS!  And on a side note that game last night between the Cowboys and Tampa was a great start to the season.  Since I leave the weekends to the rest of the folks (Except when here.)  I am ready for some football.

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When I got back to the cabin at noon time to get organized.  Needed to wash truck, get gas and groceries, and of course stop in the fly shop.  After living out of the truck for 4 days time to settle in and put stuff in the cabin.  And a shower probably would be good thing.  Going to rest up the rest of the day and then in morning gone before daylight and headed to a couple of high mountain lakes and first a great small stream and work over some brookies.  Then stop at a couple of lakes and do a little spin fishing, and give the Knockin Tail another go.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

First one, the rest basically stayed in the net.  And very easy to get off using barbless.

You know what was my favorite part of the day?  The way I ended up catching them.  Dry fly, San Juan worm with an indicator, and stripping a Wooley Bugger.  Before I finally gave out wading around 15 give or take a couple jumped on and I got sunburned.  It does not get any better than that.

The ranch is basically an island, which is weird, but the North and South arms of the Rio Grande go around the property, and with it you have a mile of water basically to yourself.  And I met the owner on the way in, great guy who is keeping the homestead alive as his great (I think.) Grandads legacy, it has been continually owned by the family for over 100 years.  And best of all, the water was perfect and wading conditions not to bad for an old man.

Most were like this and only a couple small  like the second one out of over a dozen.

I met Ian yesterday who gave me a tip, which turned out to be the only thing I could not catch them on, a nymph.  Now mind you I am so a beginner but I made a good choice early, totally by accident.  He said the dry fishing was poor but starting with a dry and a nymph dropper (Listen to me talking all fly fishing!) turned out to be perfect.  My second cast one blew up all over the dry fly, which our resident Fayette guru Rusty tied for me.

Of course totally out of practice I missed at least 4 before I started hooking up.  Unfortunately I lost a pretty big one trying to get my stuff together, trying to get the on the reel to fast, but at least 4 or 5 actually made the net.  Then I could not buy a bite on a dry or the nymph so time for an old standby, the Wooley Bugger.  I was stripping it, twitch, twitch, and when they hit it they stopped it.  Have never used it that way and it was fun.  And that put 4 or 5 in the net.

Hard to take pictures of them and manage the fly rod.  Still a new thing for me.

When it slowed down I used another old favorite the San Juan worm with 2 beads and a foam indicator.   And about the same amount of trout jumped on that.   When they stopped the worm they were on, I missed far less on the worm.  The couple of big ones that did jump off today were good fish, I attribute that to being rusty.  But nice to break in the 3 wt, perfect for that stream.  If at the end of this trip I fished that same river again it would be another story.  So all in all a good day.  I will fill you in the next day or two on the company I used to book the ranch, so you can check them out.

I am tired  and watching the game, hope I make the end, so this is the short version.  In South Fork now and already have the map out.  It will be few lakes and rivers I have fished before and lots of new.  Probably tomorrow head out early for a place on the river where I have had some luck in the past.  With the weekend coming will probably hit the lakes some and wait for the rest of the fly guys to go home or back to work and back at the fly fishing on Monday.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

At the top.  There were bathrooms, places to picnic, and trails.

This is what it looked like half way up, beautiful.

None of it was 4 wheel drive, but would not want to tackle it without it depending on the weather.  But it is a cool drive.  And this what we love about Colorado, beside the fishing, is lots of access to the real woods.  Can’t wait to hit a trail or two this week.

What an interesting tunnel.

4 of the 6 from a bachelor mule deer group.  Still in velvet and still liking each other.

I came around a corner and there were 6 mule deer, all bucks crossing a pasture.  They were still a long way off even for the long lens, and they were very interested in why I stopped.  Other than these guys I only saw 2 does.  But all around a get drive and great way to start the next few weeks.  And I saw lots of antelope yesterday and a couple today.  Can’t wait to get to elk country.  And speaking of the next few weeks………

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Will start the serious fishing tomorrow.  I decided to try something I have not done before, and that is use a company that provides access to private waters.  One of those places happens to be close to South Fork where I will be headed tomorrow for the next 11 days.  I scoped it out today to make sure I could find it, it took a little, but the prospects look amazing.  Access will be all day with a mile of the North Fork of the Rio Grande on a private ranch.  And actually met a guy today who fished the other arm a few hours and caught 12 and gave me a couple of tips, so I just might catch a couple.  Plus the water looks great.

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Got this question from a reader.

How does one find out how to become a blogger, or how much a blogger makes?

How to Blog. | Fish Catching Travel

All I know is how I did this one and why it is around almost 12 years later.  And I knew absolutely NOTHING and am computer illiterate so if I can do it anyone can.  Since I wrote this cost has gone up, but are still reasonable.  The only question:  How bad do you want it?

As far as money that has never been an issue here, but making money from a blog is totally related to readers/visit counts and nothing else.  In my case I might get a bait or two, or some equipment, but that is a side benefit.  When you do it for money there are a few practical considerations.  As an example if I want to insult everyone so what, it is mine and I will do as I please, not so if you want to make money,  But if that is what you want there is lots of stuff to read on the internet.  But no matter commit to it or forget it, it can be most rewarding, and can really suck when you are not feeling it.  Good Luck.

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Doubt  I will get a report up tomorrow but who knows.  I intend to get my days worth, and some good casting practice to go along with a few fish.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff,

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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From TPWD on this holiday weekend.

We are expecting another boost in Texans enjoying the outdoors during the Labor Day weekend so Texas Game Wardens will be out in force to ensure that everyone exercises proper safety protocols on the water,” said Cody Jones, TPWD Assistant Commander for Marine Enforcement. “We want to ensure water-related activities are handled in a responsible manner. While you are on a boat, wear a life jacket, closely supervise any children with you, use the engine kill switch, and abstain from driving a boat if you are drinking alcohol.”

As they say about New Years Eve, amateur night.  Well the same can be said for the holiday weekends on the water in Texas.  Be safe, there is no more dangerous time to be on the water in Texas.

So here are my rules from last year.

1.  Just because you are correct does not make it right.  Assume your fellow boaters know nothing, or have been drinking, so give way.
2. Other than saying hi do not get into it with some knucklehead on the water for any reason.
3. Get you stuff together before you even approach the ramp.  Then unload, and if you have help you should not even get on the ramp until the driver is in the boat and ready to go. Then drop it in, float it off, and pull out.
4. Then move out of the way.  Don’t be a Froggie’s idiot  (A daily happening.) and pull off on the side in front of the ramp to clean fish while 10 people are trying to get out.
5. Drink like a fish if you want, when you get home, especially if you are the captain.  You are responsible for your passengers safety.  I mean who wants to be cuffed and stuffed in front of family and friends?
6. Remember the kill switch and mandatory life jackets on the kiddos.
7. Be sure to check everything out on the boat and trailer before leaving the house.  The ramp is not the place to find out your battery is dead, or end up sitting on the side of the road instead of in the water because your hub blows out.
8. And last – have a great time with your family and friends.  2020  (And 2021 is trying to keep it going.) has been a dumpster fire and the last thing you need is trouble on your weekend.

Think I am exaggerating?   Last years (2020) numbers.                   

And from my post last year on TPWD  holiday weekend numbers.

AUSTIN— Texas Game Wardens closed the summer boating season with water safety checks and boating safety patrols on the lakes, rivers and bays in Texas over the extended Labor Day weekend. Between Friday and Monday, water safety checks were conducted on more than 3,800 vessels statewide. Additionally, 267 citations and 412 warnings were issued for various boating safety law violations.

Four individuals were also arrested for Boating While Intoxicated, three others were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and 21 others were arrested on other charges.

Over the holiday weekend, game wardens also responded to 26 boating accidents across the state.

Do the math, over 700 incidents, say 2 to a boat, means almost 1 out of 10 are not in compliance in one way or another.  And a big thanks to our wardens, we respect you and the job you do.  So for God’s sake, and your loved ones, be freakin’ careful!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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And now the bad news.  Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in another commercial deer breeding operation.  TPWD has instituted plenty of new restrictions but it is starting to feel like the cat is out of the bag.  The very last thing Texas needs is for that to get into the wild population, if it has not already.  We are playing with fire.  Time to stop the transfer of all captive deer until there is no chance of it spreading.  But since that will not happen, see how long it takes to become an issue.  Any bets?  And since our government agencies are usually a little to close to private commercial interests I have no faith in what is going to happen.

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I am about to take a really big mental health break.  This will be the last you hear from me until sometime in Colorado.  Until I leave I am taking a break from the blog, and once I leave from the news, Facebook, TV, and anything else I can think of.  This country has gone insane, from the right wing nut cases who quote the constitution like they can spell it, to the completely clueless radical leftist who wants to give it all away.  We have stopped working together, turning the other cheek, and compromise is for the other guy. It seems like there is no center.  Science is suspect by both the stupid and the educated, and the law is being used as a weapon against those with the least.  And somehow Facebook has become folks go to for knowledge and information, no matter how stupid or incorrect.  Think about how screwed up that is.  So the fix?  I have no clue other than quit bombarding ourselves every second of the day.  Put down your phone!  The world will go on without it, and you.  But I do know how to fix me.

Daybreak on the top of a mountain listening for the eerie cry of a bugling elk with a chill in the air.  A small stream I can cast across with my 3wt, hopefully without a soul in sight.  Watching a trout ease his head out and engulf a hopper.  Fishing a high mountain lake and taking only what I need for my supper.  Hiking a trail with bear spray on my belt, hoping, and dreading, coming across a lion or bear.  And being absolutely exhilarated at the very thought.  Glassing a high ridge hoping to see a full curl, or maybe seeing a couple of mule deer locked in mortal combat for the future of the species.  Switching to 4 wheel when the road deteriorates as the Continental Divide comes into full view.  Then getting out of the truck, dining on a delicious bologna sandwich and honey bun, listening to the wind through the trees, and really “seeing.”

Please be so careful this weekend.  Enjoy whatever you do, but respect the rights of others.  And be nice, it is actually a lot easier than being an asshole.  Now I am going to work on the pile of stuff and the list, I can not wait.  So keep stopping in, I will be back, and thanks for 11 great years.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

*****************

One cool sunrise!

It was a beautiful morning.  The lake has definitely gone down a foot, the water temp was still in the low 90’s, and the color has deteriorated just a little in some places.  I wish the picture above was better, it was something.  The clouds on the right and a line where the red started, which I think is the dust thing we have been experiencing lately.

Since it was still basically dark when I started it was the buzzbait on the best place, which definitely has been affected by the drop in water level.  In fact, after fishing all morning and catching 7 bass it appears the better fish must have backed off some as I did not have a big bite all morning, and the spoon and Knockin Tail got the only good bites.

The spoon and Knockin Tail saved the morning.

Like the other day when they bit it was one after the other.  On the first place 4 smalls jumped on the buzzbait, 3 on about 5 casts.  On the next place 3, including the ones above, jumped the spoon and Pearl Knockin Tail, in about 5 casts.  Other than that it was a few half hearted bites here and there but it has definitely slowed down.  Around 10:00 the wind started just a little, where they came up with 20 – 30 mph for a high wind today I do not know as it did not ever start really blowing before quitting.  So just for the morning finish I trolled to the ramp area before calling it a morning.

A couple of catfish trolling back to the ramp.

Besides these 2 catfish a couple of small bass hooked up, and one good one pulled off.  Most of the stuff I saw this morning seemed to be in the 15′ range, and the shad seem to have broken up some, what appeared to be small schools tended to be right on the bottom.  So after catching a total of 11 time to call it day.  On getting in the truck it was already showing 90 degrees, no wonder I was hot.

The morning was not a complete bust, the falling water had them a little off from what it has been.  We can only hope that whatever led to that stops and the water level stabilizes.  And on the way in saw several folks crappie fishing, including one boat that caught 2 in just the time it took to pass them.  Folks are fishing straight up and down with minnows, and it has been good the last month from folks I talked to or have seen putting them in the boat.  All I have to say about the lake, bring on fall.

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I did want to mention that by putting a high quality small swivel on the front of the spoon, with the clip removed,  did not hurt anything and it comes through the stuff just fine.  A split ring on both ends solved the twist problem, still a little but not something to worry about.  And another trick is to tear off a small piece from a old plastic and thread it on the hook so that it gets right to the bend.  Then put the Knockin Tail on and it will keep it from sliding down the hook, and it runs much better.  The punch line, keep the plastic straight with the spoon and you will get more bites.

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Things are sure tough in Louisiana, and the videos today of the damage at Grand Isle are heart breaking.  The motel is basically gone.  The dock and store, while standing, are trashed and the fuel tanks are gone.  There is a fresh video driving down the main drag which is stunning in the amount of damage.  And if you think about it the damage runs for 60 miles north of there.  This is going to take months and years to fix, and who knows how many folks will just give up in Grand Isle, it is ugly.  So all the best to Buggie and his wife Dodie, along with the rest of the Bridgeside family, folks are pulling for you.

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Basically I am just treading water until I hit the road to Colorado in a week or so.  Starting to really get excited about the fishing, and the cooler weather.  Visions of being on top of the mountain at daylight listening for elk and searching for the elusive Bighorn.  Not sure why I get so obsessed with sheep, it probably came from watching World Wide Sportsman back when there were really no other outdoor shows.  Every week I hoped for sheep and marlin.  I got the marlin, the sheep will just have to be with a camera, but that is fine by me.  Will be back on the water sometime but until then I am dreaming of the afternoon hatch and trout blowing up on a hopper.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines