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.  

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Cooper the Yorkie fetching a Brook Trout

West Fork Fires, South Fork, Co. June 25, 2013

Morning 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