Saturday, July 21, 2007

July 21, 2007. Well, it's been two days of progressively good fishing. Before I headed out I made the standard pilgrimage to Moe Henry's Trout Shop for the latest gouge. From there, I started out on the Colorado just West of Byers Canyon yesterday. Caught a small Brown Trout there on a Green Copper John. The water was high and very clear. From there, I traveled to Rocky Mountain National Park where I put in at around Mile 7 from the Southern Entrance. The water was extremely clear and stealth was the call. Caught a Brookie and a couple Browns before calling it a day.

Today, I started on the Fraser in a private access section owned by Devil's Thumb Ranch--probably the nicest Guest Ranch in the Fraser Valley. Their Activities Center is very nice and well stocked. I fished the Fraser in the morning and landed a huge Rainbow. My guess was about 4-5 pounds. While not long, it was very fat. If the pictures turn out, I'll post one here. That didn't come without it's cost. Prior to landing that one, I must have lost a dozen, including two that would have challenged the one I landed. I landed another one about 12 inches long after a good fight.

After lunch, I drove up to St. Louis Creek just shy of the Byers Creek Campground. A beautiful area, especially if you want to just get away for a little. I found a nice place to fish with lite tackle. The St. Louis meanders from the Byers Peak area and picks up speed along its journey. Occasionally, it will settle into a small pool. I found such one and started hammering the Brookies. They are, by far, the most beautiful. Though small, they were good fighters and extremely colorful. I even managed to land a Cutthroat as well. I broke the equipment down just as a typical afternoon thunderstorm reared its powerful head my way.

All-in-all, a very productive two days out in Colorado. Can't wait til I get back in September!

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

July 4, 2007. Happy 4th of July! As I mentioned in my last post, I was busy moving and so forth. I was able to make it out to my home in Colorado during the Memorial Day weekend and had some success fishing the Colorado River between Shadow Mountain Lake and Lake Granby (near Grand Lake). I hooked one using a Size 16 Green Copper John. I swore to myself that if I landed the fish, it would have been the biggest one I caught and that it would be a miracle if I landed it. I was right--it would have been a miracle. I lost the fish after a minute or two of fighting. On another cast, another large one actually bent--not broke--but bent, my hook! I did manage to land a nice Rainbow about 14-15 inches long and some Browns, as well.

On another day, I fished the Colorado right in Hot Sulphur Springs. Most were Browns of varying sizes up to 12 inches. I did manage a Rainbow or two. The flow was rather heavy due to the runoff in some areas that I have fished before. I also tried the Fraser in town, but the runoff was too swift.

My next trip is planned for later in July. I hope to get 2 days in and have been considering going back into RMNP for some brookies.