Brook Trout in the Rockies
/The day began with some internet access to the Colorado Division of Wildlife concerning some licensing issues and after getting that straightened out, Paula and I went up in the mountains for some Brook Trout adventures. We found some tiny tiny tiny streams and I was able to catch and release 26 fish during the day. We didn't fish very long but the streams were full of fish. One place on Cross Creek the water was no more than 15 inches wide in a lot of spots and yet the trout were there hiding under the overhanging grass and under the banks. Most of this water is shallow but somehow they hang on throughout the winter seasons and are there to catch all summer long.
The fish ranged from 6 to 8 inches and one was just over 10 inches so although not huge, they are eager to bite and it makes for a fun day. One good thing about this type of fishing is the banks are level grade and you don't have to wade so people of varying abilities can fish easily.
I didn't walk more than about 200 feet from the road today and it was a gorgeous day. Cooper enjoyed the fishing about as much as I did and he got to fetch in a few fish and chased them all over the shallows in the larger sections as I reeled them in. He ended up soaked to the bone and swam several deeper sections. Not your typical Yorkie I guess but I didn't raise him to be a house dog and he thinks he is a golden retriever at the least and a human at the best. All I have to say is, "I got one", and he comes running down the bank from wherever he is.
All in all it was a fine day to be outside and the weather cooperated until about 2 pm when the rain showers formed up and we decided to head down to town. The fish are definitely biting wherever I go and all the people I talk to say the same thing. Today I was using a Royal Coachman in a size #16, divided hair wing fly. This is a fail safe pattern for any stream here and I can catch fish on it any day of the year, I believe.
The brook trout were not big but current regulations let you keep 10 of them if you so desire. Pan fried 8 inch brook trout defy description in quality of taste and I would encourage you to get out and find these eager fish and have a nice shore lunch.
There is nothing quite as good as a fresh caught brook trout over an open fire. You can bring a pan and all the fixins or do like I do and suspend them over the flames with a long green willow branch through their gills. They will grill up a wonderful and succulent meal. By leaving the skin on while they grill, the meat remains moist and has a nice red, almost salmon like flavor and color. More on this will follow in the blog about fishing a hidden lake last year and the great meal we had on the shore.
Time is awastin as they say, so get out there and find the beauty and pleasure in the outdoors wherever you are.
Cooper the Yorkie fetching a Brook Trout