After a long winter away from Colorado I returned to snow showers and Christmas like scenes. Firs covered with light snow and a slight dusting on the ground was beautiful to see.
The rivers are high which is normal this time of year and I will start fishing as soon as I get my RV set up and the chores done. A garden spot awaits tilling and that will be included here as time goes by.
Read MoreAlmost non-stop rain has swollen the rivers to their spring banks here and its a tad concerning to watch it rise each day. There is still plenty of room for more water so don't panic quite yet. However, it is up in the willows that line the banks and all the rock bars are covered with a foot or more of dark ash filled water. Both the South Fork and the Rio Grande are about at the same general stage as far as amount of rise in their surface levels. Both also are black with soot from the runoff coming out of the fire ravaged areas. I have several friends with houses on these rivers and I am watching them in case I have to help them in the event of higher water. I will follow with more photos tomorrow and this week so you can visualize what its like. Normal August flows are low and clear and the fishing is great long into the calm warm evenings. I am not sure when we will see the bottom of the streams again but am hoping with the normal fall patterns of rain, it will be sometime in late September or October. Once the rain quits, the feeder streams will clear better and hopefully the good clean clear water will offset any flows coming out of the burn zone. Still hundreds of places to fish I you are so inclined. Get your rod and some lunch and enjoy the bountiful earth.
Today brought about more welcome showers in the mountains around South Fork and Creede and it was a nice cool day to be outdoors. I drove up toward Creede and did some target practice on the public land in that direction. I had bought a new .22 rifle and wanted to see how it shot and get the scope sighted in.
On the way back, I stopped in some Gold Medal Water and fished for about an hour. As I exited the truck I was surprised to see a large number of Green Drake flies buzzing around me and landing on my shirt sleeve. Stepping into the water I immediately was into fish and had fun with the browns that came to my hand. Most were in the 14 inch range and just a tad too large to keep if a person was fishing for supper. In that section the limit is two fish, twelve inches and shorter. I have talked about this before in a previous blog but if you are wanting some good eating trout, I suggest the local area lakes or the brook trout from the small streams high up in the mountain. I have learned to get a huge amount of pleasure from catch and release fishing now and most of the time its all about the strike and not actually keeping fish.
The picture was taken from one of the bridges along the river and it shows the low water levels being experienced at this time. This section is usually a great raft ride with white water and as you can see, there isn't much there now. There are rumors that the Rio Grande Reservoir is under some kind of construction or repairs and maybe they are holding water for that activity. That and the drought is sure to have had an impact.
However, the fish are still in the river and streams even if they are low. The low levels allows a person to wade much easier but takes a lot smaller fly and more careful presentation. The water is gin clear and the fish can see a long ways and will spot you if you are not careful.
Today the size 14 Green Drake on top with a Pheasant Tail nymph in a size 10 did the job and 7 gorgeous browns graced my attempts, being released to fight another day.
The fires continue to be a concern no doubt, but if you are wanting some first rate fishing, don't be afraid to come out and enjoy it. The activity is far from town and from the best parts of the river and you will be safe if you choose to fish here. I can connect you with motels or lodges and some good fishing spots if you want to contact me.
Rio Grande River
After yesterdays posting I decided that I needed to include some additional information on ATV riding in Colorado for those of you who might be interested in scheduling a trip here.
Read MoreInspired thoughts. The setting sun on the Palisades frame the golden hues of God's glory ....
Read MoreToday was a productive day and I spent part of it looking at TShirt designs and Hat designs for the Trout Republic blog followers. It was fun to try and design it with the tools on the internet and different manufactures. I will keep you posted when those are available and the styles and costs associated with each.
Read MoreThis morning dawned with extreme winds rattling the windows and the reverse 911 calls went out very early advising people to evacuate the town of South Fork south of Hwy 149 by 9 am. Both of the highways thru town are now closed for safety reasons and to allow both emergency responders safe access to the fire areas and to prevent looting.
It is so sad that following a disaster that looters would take advantage of other people and their losses.
Read MoreLast night I had a chance to catch up with a businessman from creede and it was a welcome meeting as his was the first house threatened by that fire and saved by a miracle.
The firefighters had already foamed the house in preparation for the fire moving thru and he said it was no more than 200 feet from the door when miraculously, the wind switched and drove the flames back. There are many stories like that and we can only thank providence for those kinds of salvations from disaster. While I do not understand why some are saved and others not, I am always thankful for the ones that are.
Read MoreThe smoke has cleared out some and being tired of sitting around waiting for the next emergency announcement, I decided it was time to get back to my routine of fishing. I have a great place to fish on the Rio Grande close to town. The night began with strikes almost immediately but I could not seem to hang a fish. I was fishing with a Royal Coachman number 12 on top and a size 10 Prince Bead head nymph on the bottom on a 24 inch dropper
Read MoreMorning dawned bright and sunny with little wind. We attended the briefing meeting at the Red Cross Shelter in Del Norte, Colorado this morning and learned about the progress of the firefighters with the inferno. The fire continues to burn of course but at a much slower rate at least near South Fork. A wind change direction is anticipated today and that may cause increased risks.
I am sitting out under the awning today under blue skies on the western side of town. I realize that many people want to come to their homes but so far the sheriff has only allowed the people north of hyw 149 access into and out of south fork. This is due to the dangers to the other areas posed by huge old pine and spruce trees in those areas that are not found here along the river. This is all open short grass areas with no trees to burn.
We still need prayers about the wind and also need the summer monsoons to cone in and soak up this country. Normal conditions for July are daily showers and you dare not go anywhere without a rain suit during those times. An early start to that would be a godsend.
Last summer, my girlfriend Paula and I decided to walk in to a small lake seen on the map. it took us three times to find it but its the second time I want to share about. We normall carry a small pack with survival equipment and raincoats in it. I had taken mine out to use the day before and forgot to put it back in.
After walking a short distance, it began to rain and when I reached into my pack, no rain suit. It was cold and dreary and the rain coming down steady. I got out my space blanket and improvised a poncho and sat there in the rain. Looking over to my girlfriend she was just standing there in the pouring rain lips pursed, upset that I forgot my coat. Not because I didn't have it but she has been on Mt. Everest and knows the dangers of hypothermia. I have seen the elephant however and all I could do was giggle at her. OF course that didn't help matters. We were a short hike back to the truck and I arrived there wet and cold and grinning. I had been wet before and needed a bath anyway. lol.
The funniest part of this is that when we got to looking, she had an EXTRA rain suit in her back pack. Now that's funny.
We finally found the lake and that's another blog for another time. Its pristine, hard to find and the fish bit every cast. .......kevin
