FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

I know it has been a while since I posted but my health continues to be sketchy.  One thing leads to another and much of it is related to my meds.  After the big diabetes snafu, which I am still dealing with daily, now it is a really tough anemia.  The last few weeks I just could not figure out why I was so tired, but lab work figured that one out.  So, another complication in a long line that I have had to work out but hopefully that will be sorted out soon.  It has kept me down some and every day is different but in spite of that we have been out and about some.

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WYOMING

We decided to take a short trip and so we looked on the map and choose a small town, Lander, about 2 hours from the park and 9 hours from the house which made it a good one-day drive.  It was in a great area to see wildlife, and it did not disappoint.  It was on the reservation, and the road north ran along the Wind River Range.  On the way up we saw literally hundreds of antelope but that was just a smidgeon of things to come.

The Tetons!

We headed out a to the park at daylight the first day, and it turned into a take your life in your hands kinda trip.  From living in Texas to driving the roads in Colorado I thought we had seen deer, but no, until it got full on daylight it was crazy.  It was a little over 100 miles to the park and the road was lined with farmland, and it was literally hundreds and hundreds of mule deer.  It was something.   And mixed in was a few elk and moose.  What a drive.

Spectacular!

The backdrop in the Tetons is amazing.

The elk were out and about.

Much of the park is still closed and the back way into Yellowstone was the turn around point; I think about 30 miles.  As we drove in and out it was hard not to reflect on the administrations ongoing attempt to open much of the public lands, especially adjacent to the parks for mining, drilling, and logging.  That we would in any way endanger our public lands like that is criminal.  It is always empty promises on how the clean-up will be done, which ends up being a lie.  All you have to do is Goggle Super Fund sites to see that industry cannot be trusted to clean up and restore the land.  There are 1,840 sites in this country that have to be cleaned up so don’t tell me they can be trusted to do the right thing.

We spotted this guy way off as he browsed.  What an old war hoss.

On the way back to the hotel we spotted this big guy browsing in the creek bottom.  Pictures do not do him justice, he was as big as our 4Runner.  Huge nose, big wattle, sway back, this was a real one and he was kind enough to keep a watchful eye on us but not run off.

We glassed him for quite a while before he gave us a look at his face.

Such an interesting creature.  They are a rare spot for us and we watch them as long as they let us.  In fact, on the way up that morning, we did see these guys.

This was the first moose we saw.  Nancy got it with her iPhone while I was shooting his family.

These guys were right by the road and real spooky.  We always keep in mind that they are wild animals and while many of the animals in the parks are habituated, the ones outside are wild animals that do what they want when they want to and you can never tell what is next.

Momma and her second year.  Our first “different” encounter.

And once we got close to the park, they had opened many fences and in one area the bison were on the roadside eating the new grass.  Wyoming was not as far along as we are and that new grass had everything prowling the roads and caution was the better part of valor.

The gate was open and the bison were feeding on the green grass roadside.

It was a successful couple of days and the fishing opportunities there are plentiful.  Unfortunately, many of the lakes were down as they are in so many places.  Many lakes here in Colorado are down significantly. In Texas Lake Corpus Cristi and Canyon Lake are almost dry and in Nevada Lake Mead is only 7 foot above the outflow which will cause some serious issues all the way to the west coast.  Water is going to be a real issue in this country if it is not addressed in some serious ways.  But don’t count on it, the politicians are bought and paid for.

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We took a look see drive yesterday morning and the critters were definitely out and about.  We saw probably 50 -75 Bighorn ewes and one bunch of 7 or 8 rams.  And surprisingly we saw a herd of elk on the move.  I got a few shots but as they were that far out, they are just too blurry.  And we wanted to check on the coyote den but did not see any movement around it.  We went a little bit farther when the Boss spotted a bush with ears and it was a coyote.  We stopped to glass it and another one that was close by got up and started moving.  They both headed back to the den area and disappeared.  Looks like we should see some pups soon.

Saw plenty of sheep today.

We were headed to an area called Clear Creek.  There are actually 3 roads in that area and only one was open.  The feds are sticking with the opening of the roads May 15th, so we took the open one.  I had driven it in the past and there is a great stretch of creek with an easy walk and wade so as soon as I am up to it that one is in the plan.

This young ram was collared.

We finally had a bear in the neighborhood.  It pulled a fence down across the street so it could get to the trash.  And speaking of animals down the street the Boss hiked a trail with a couple of friends which is close to the house, and they got real lucky on the way back as a momma bobcat had a little baby in her mouth as she apparently moved to summer quarters.  A few turkeys are still around, and one lonely gobbler keeps giving it his best effort and he actually had 2 hens with him the other day.  Spring has been spread out and with-it things have been different on the wildlife front, but living in South Fork every day is a new day and it never fails to amaze.

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BOUNDRY WATERS CANOE AREA

A long story short on the vote to allow mining on the border of the Boundary Waters in Minnesota.  First, it is a Chilean company with a terrible record that wants to mine the copper and sell it to China.  So here we go, America First? Hypocritical joke.  Why is that even an option as far as the company goes?  And then sell it to China, you have got to be kidding me.

Then there is the future disaster to come.  The proposed mine will be directly in the Boundary Water’s watershed drainage.  When a mining company says it will keep it clean just look up Super Fund sites, sure they will.  All I would say to their management; show me a mine, then take a water glass and dip it in your settling ponds and take a nice long drink.  Sure you will.  So as far as the environment goes it is not worth the risk.

And last, follow the money.  Somebody got paid and if you do not believe that you are delusional.  It is always a part of crap like this.  If the area has any ethical journalists the story is there to be written.  And if the DOJ was not full of worthless spineless punks, they should start an investigation but that is not happening.  The whole thing is wrong on all levels.

The fight is far from over.  We rallied some of the companies that rely on us.  REI, LL Bean, Sims, to name but a few.  Their profits come from folks like us who use and love public lands.  Time for lure companies, gun companies, clothing, etc need to step up.  Your profits do not come from a Chilean mining company so help us out.  The fight goes on and we must keep after it and explore every possible way to defeat this fiasco.

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Sorry for the dearth of reports and the disjoined nature of this one.  But things have been a little crazy around here.  The Boss will be headed to Portugal in a week and if things work out health wise, I will be headed to McPhee to catch some smallmouth and walleye.  But I am thankful for every day I get no matter how they come.  So keep stopping and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

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Now that’s a fish!

As I began my reading on Colorado lakes ones stood out to me – Blue Mesa.  The 2cnd largest lake in Colorado, 2 hours from here, the pictures I was seeing of the lake trout, and the stories, had me really interested.  Of course, the last 6 months have been hard with the medical stuff, but I am feeling pretty good, spring is here, so time to hit the lake.

One thing that is always nice to do when going to a completely new lake, especially with the Colorado regs which often seem to be written by someone who is relatively clueless, is get the lay of the land.  In my research I came across a website for GSO a family company in Gunnison.  They usually give a complete lake and fishing report once a week and it gives anyone with half a brain a good place to start.  So I kept up with them, and the last time we were in the area even visited the store to meet all of them.  Trust me on this, they are the real deal, and it was only a matter of time before I hired Andy to fish the lake, and boy was that a good decision.

A bucket list fish.  40″ 31lbs.

When he pulled it out of the net we just started laughing, what a pig.

The big laker pattern and catching is a early spring or late fall thing and since it was ice out a month early time to go.  He decided to fish an area that the ice had just left, and I am a good customer, listen to the guide.  It was supposed to be calm, and as fishermen all know the best laid plans, but he had it under control.  Andy uses a pontoon boat, not only good for putting more customers on the boat, but his method requires plenty of room and good electronics and a trolling motor that would pull a semi.  I just want to say this before I go on about him and his guides, they are great.  In this era where everybody and their brother thinks they are a guide GSO is a cut above.  I have fished with guides in many places in the US and abroad and take my word for it, he is one of the great ones.  He worked hard and his attention to detail put them in the boat.  Nice to fish with a real pro.

All the big ones get measured and weighed so there is no confusion, then released.

His integrated system with downriggers and FFS, combined with his knowledge of the lake pretty much guarantees something will happen, and boy did it.  The first bite was the biggest of the day, and easily my personal best lake trout.  Out of about 40′ of water, it felt heavy, and when he slid it in the net we both started laughing.  I do not care who you are, a laker over 30lbs is a whopper.  It was tough with the wind, but he handled it like a real pro, and we managed to add a couple of brown trout and one pup laker.

Then a bonus fish jumped on.  34″ 24lbs.

When we were getting ready to quit this one jumped on and absolutely put on a show.  It fought way harder than the bigger one.  A real bulldog it put up an epic fight.  All I have to say about the morning, it has me fired up.  The lake is full of lake trout, browns and rainbows, which happens to be the lakers favorite meal as they get bigger.  And as a side note there are tons of perch with no limit and catches of hundreds are not uncommon.  Plus, the pup lakers are plentiful and can be kept.  Blue Mesa is a fish factory.

Andy knows how to hold them.

For what they do at GSO the pontoon is the way to go.  Really comfortable on a windy day.  And you can take the kids; all they have to do is reel them in.

In fact I spoke with him today and he had a family out and they ended up boating around 4o, mostly browns.  The big laker pattern is for the hardcore, no guarantees.  The reason I bring that up is what a great way to take the kids and let them catch fish.  The boat can handle a crew, and he is the kind of guy who will take care of the kids.

We did catch one “pup” lake and a couple of browns.

This is a perfect example of a pup laker that can be kept.  With plenty of trout and perch a good sack full is not out of the question.   I cannot tell you the amount of useful information I gleaned from the day.  It was so refreshing to spend time with a fisherman, as in multi species guy who has fished lots of lakes and tournaments, even fished Bull Shoals, so we were good for the morning.  A word of thanks, he squeezed me in with his dance card full.  But he has a bunch of serious guides that work with him any of which can take care of you.  So take a look at his site it would be hard to recommend him any higher.

GSO Fishing  –  GSO Fishing – Premium Tackle & Guided Fishing Trips

The Boss is headed out of town late next week and I will be watching the weather closely and if it cooperates I can take the boat and fish 3 or 4 days.  Until then the rivers and creeks are all opening so the fly rod will be out along with at least one more trip to a different lake before Gunnison happens again.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

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The River

With the warm weather we are having the ice is really starting to melt on area creeks, river, and lakes.  After a little drive yesterday to confirm where it was fishable the Rio Grande looked pretty good so that was my choice for a quick trip this morning.  Once I got to my favorite hole it was hard to believe how low the river is.  I was able to see the whole bottom there, something I have not seen before.  But it was clear why they are there on a regular basis.

They were all basically the same size but fun on the super light equipment.

But guess what?  They still bit after I choose a micro jig and hellgrammite plastic and threw it on a true UL rod and reel with 4lb fluorocarbon.  It did require a perfect cast to the rocks, which not only was a product of the clear water but the 40mph wind did not help.  Too bad as I was wanting to throw the fly rod, but the wind was way above my abilities.  But good thing about the brown trout on the river they are aggressive and love lures.  As soon as the wind lays it looks like it will be a dry fly period until and if the water comes up.

These are a few of the 8 or 10 I managed to catch.

So while it was good this morning it looks like it is going to be a different year.  We need water desperately but not sure we are going to get it.  There is still snow on the big mountains but not near what is needed.  It could be tough on the guides this summer so will have to wait and see if the water comes.  Snow is the life blood of this area and no matter the reason things are changing.

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The Lake

This lake is full of fatties.  Smoked trout pics to come, they are pink.

I fished the lake twice since posting last and they are still eating it up.  There is not much they won’t eat and whether trolling or casting the bite is good.  Rapala, rattle bait, Knockin Tail, basically anything else thrown at them.  And it has been enjoyable to use a good graph, still learning the side view but it sure is cool.  While the fishing on that lake is fun time to move on as more water opens up.

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Lenticular Clouds

The alien clouds of the San Luis Valley.

We saw several different ones driving back from Pueblo.  

A weird cloud it is common in mountain areas with wind blowing over them.  There are big tales of aliens here in the valley, so who knows, but they are cool looking.

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Random picture.

This view at both sunrise and sunset is a common occurrence here in the valley.  Pretty to look at but also the witching hour.  A mule deer or elk just might jump out and rearrange the face on your truck.  But the view never gets old.

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 There is travel in our future next week we are just having a hard time committing.  In 2 weeks, the Boss will be heading up north for a week to visit her family and mom which opens that up for me to go to wherever.  Then at the end of April, she heads to Portugal on a 10-day hiking trip, which again leaves me foot loose and fancy free.  I think McPhee will be on the list then.  Any lake with no limit on smallmouth and walleye is my kind of lake so doing the research now.  No matter what I am fishing somewhere different next week.  Retirement is a thing of beauty.  Good thing the boat is mobile on a moment’s notice.

Things are going good on the health front, but I am sick of doctors and medicine.  On the other hand, it is keeping me alive and feeling good so little complaint in that department.  And the insurance company sprung for the fancy blood sugar reader which has eliminated sticking myself 4 times a day.  All I have to say on that front is thank God for great insurance, it is criminal how expensive medical care is, but our government is unable to work together to fix it.

Enough of that.  It is beautiful out here right now.  The only complaint would be the wind has been howling for days and looks like it will continue a couple more.  Besides the warm weather the wind actually plays a role in breaking up the ice so there is that.  So, keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

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Our weather is flat beautiful and with that comes the beginning of the melt.  So one lake I wondered about turned out to be open so I started getting the fishing stuff back together so I could hit the lake yesterday.  Turned out to be a good decision as the fishing was pretty good.

Who does not enjoy this view when fishing?

The wind was flat calm, and the water was clear but only 40 degrees when starting.  While this lake is the only local with bass and crappie besides trout, other than a spot or two I checked for bass the plan was to stick with the trout.  It was a good place for a shakedown cruise and the slow troll turned out to be the ticket though I caught some casting.  But the best thing, everything on the boat was working properly after sitting all winter.

The Pearl Knockin Tail was putting some nice trout in the boat.

It was a steady bite all day, but when the moon came up around noon it was on.  One thing I wanted to try today was trolling the 4″ pearl Knockin Tail and turned out the better fish loved it.  It was rigged with a 3/8th swimming jig head about 75′ behind the boat at 2 mph.  And of course, on fluorocarbon line, which on the clear water of these lakes is important.

Along with the Knockin Tail the brown trout colored Rapala did its usual damage.

But whether lake or river the Rapala is hard to beat.  One of the benefits of the Rapala is it comes in plenty of sizes so if you need it to run really shallow in the river or deeper in the lakes they have the bait.  And the color choices are plenty.  The original Rapala and the Rapala Shad Rap may be the most versatile baits ever made for all species of fish.

They cannot resist that Rapala.

It would be hard to guess how many crossed the gunnel today but it was a bunch.  And I kept a good limit for the smoker.  One more trip and I will have enough for a good smoke and with them being so pink should be tasty.  And one thing I have learned since being here is the lakes are better fishing before they stock.  The fish have had time to rest and grow over the winter and are solid.  And speaking of stocking…….

I wondered why I just could not get the Kokanee going on our local lake and it turned out to be because there are just not any to speak of in the lake after the last stocking matured.  But when I was at the Game and Fish office I asked about the stocking history and found out they put 20,000 1 – 2″ fingerlings in the lake last year to we should have a fishable population soon.  Will be interesting to see how they matures over the next 3 years.

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With the nice weather the big animals are starting to spread out and head back up in the high mountains.  But there are still plenty of elk around and we love seeing them.

We saw these girls in a valley where we have not seen them before.

With this weather there will be some roads that are passable soon and we are ready to start chasing them again.  And the bears will be out soon, so we expect to see them cruising by the house again.  It is our good fortune to have a house in a living zoo, you never know what you will see.

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Feathered Friends

It has been interesting watching the turkeys the last couple of years.  They fight and squabble, some are real bullies, and sometimes they just cannot help themselves and they get into random display battles.  And they have been showing off a ton behind the house the last week as the weather warms.

Strutting.

You can’t see me.

This is a big boy.

It would be hard to guess how many traverse the yard in a day.  Back and forth groups of hens and toms, though they still are not hanging together much.  But the boys are getting ready, hard not to push it when it feels like spring.  They are entertaining and rarely do you look out the window and there are not some there.

Sandhills

The Monte Vista Refuge has thousands of Sandhill Cranes come through every spring and the festival is next weekend.   We thought we would take a pass and see what had come in and suffice to say they are coming in mass.

Hard to get them all in the frame but you get the picture.

Unfortunately, we were there a little afternoon and everyone was either feeding or napping.  Usually the sky is full of tornadoes of birds, guess will have to had back this week nearer to either daylight or dusk to get those shots.

Big birds.

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The above is a good representation of how the week went.  The local ice is softening, and the creeks are already opening up.  The problem on the creeks is there is not much flow which does not bode well for the rest of the year.  The lakes are starting to thaw near the bank but there is still plenty of ice, at least according to the folks we saw ice fishing today.  I had to head over the mountain for open water and plan on making the trip again Monday.  So spring is shaping up nicely andit won’t be long before time to get out the Tenkara and the fly rods.  It has been a long hard winter but spring brings renewal and I am going to take advantage of every minute.  So kee stopping by and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

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The reason I have not posted in a while is I had another hitch in my git-along.  Right after the new year I started feeling like crap and it got worse and worse.  What we did not know was a medication change ended up giving me diabetes.  Don’t ask me how but by time I got to the hospital my blood sugar was 860, which is nuts.

So, it was another stay in ICU to get that sorted out.  Suffice to say it has taken me this long to recover.  Actually, it was a tougher job recovering from this than from the MG crisis.  But I am just about back to my old self.  One thing I am learning is getting old is not for the weak.  Now it will be back to posting and the spring fishing is coming to Colorado soon.

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Great Day for a Ride

We finally got a good snow after almost nothing all winter.  Over a couple of days we got over a foot at the house and at Wolf Creek Pass they got almost 70″ this week so our area has made a good comeback.

Finally!

With the new snow and the passing front with clear sunny skies it was a no brainer that we should chase some animals.  We saw a couple of ewe Bighorns before we saw this bunch of elk.

Look for them on sunny mountain sides.

The rest of them did not like us watching them and took off.

A couple of little bulls but not a good rack in sight.  The last bulls we saw were all together in a tight bunch.  But at least we get to see more elk, at least until the weather clears up.  And then the sheep made an appearance.

Momma might be pregnant. 

This bunch of sheep had just crossed the road.

The only ram with them.

They can jump a pretty good fence.

It was a jump O’Rama!

Not a bad drive this morning.   We went up to a lake on a road that had not been plowed but there was a fresh set of tracks to why not?  I figured it was ice fishermen and that turned out to be the case.

A little close together you think.

The ice fishing season is actually a big deal here.  This lake has some nice rainbows but that is about it, and I have caught them there on fly rod.   A few of the lakes in Colorado are famous for big trout, lake trout, pike and muskies through the ice and the hard core ice fishermen wear them out.  Hopefully I will have a better winter and get to give it a go next year.  The ice is getting softer and with the high winds we have had open water is right around the corner and I am sure ready for it.

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Neighborhood Bucks

There are a few nice bucks still in the neighborhood.

Everybody is getting along just fine now that the rut is over.

Things have settled down around the house, the deer still feed on our hillside and the turkeys just keep on being weird.  In spite of this snow, it looks like we are headed right back into the 50’s.  And with that will come the softening of the ice and then open water.  I am just kind of hanging out watching assorted weathers deciding where I am going for a little fishing trip.

And a word to the wildlife.  We are so thankful to share the woods with you.  To be able to just take a drive and see some of the great North American big game is an honor and a privilege.   And to get to see them in some of the most majestic country in America just adds to it.

It has been to many doctors and hospitals this winter, but things have settled down and I am ready to fish.  There are 2 possibilities both weather dependent but one thing about being retired I can leave on a moment’s notice.  So, keep stopping in and thanks for sticking with me.  It has been a hassle, but better days are coming.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

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Bobcats

Last month while walking around the neighborhood the Boss spotted a mama bobcat and her 2 kittens.  She has made that same walk several times checking but has not seen them since, until today.  I happened to look out the front window and there they were crossing the yard and up they jumped on the neighbor’s porch. Here are 3 pics I managed to get.

Long shots but they sure are cool animals you don’t get to see that often.

Mom and kitten snooping around.

Bringing up the rear.

We are so lucky to live in a living zoo.  Open 24/7/365 it has no visiting hours and the encounters can happen at any time.  You just never know but stay alert and keep watching and how knows what you can see.  This was definitely my closest sighting of bobcats that keeps us watching.

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The Bucks are Playing Nice

They may have a broken tine or two but they are now hanging with their brohs and playing nice.

The rut has finally come to a halt, and it never got as rowdy as years past but the weather may have played a big part in that. Bucks and does are hanging with each other and in the evening, there are big groups getting together and it is not uncommon to see them feeding and bedding together.

Playing nice at feeding time.

The end is near and they will disappear for the summer soon if it does not cool off.  We barely shoveled once and have only started the snow blower.  To all you scientists in your own mind if you think there is not a big climate change better go back to school and get a degree because the changes out West are real.

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Coyotes

On the other hand, the coyote breeding season is in full swing.  It usually lasts into January, and we are sill seeing them regularly.

There were 4 together way out in a field.

This old guy was bringing up the rear.

They are quite a bit scared right now and take of running as soon as they know we are here.  Maybe comes from living with ranchers shooting them whenever, wherever out of the truck.  But we love seeing them and there sure are lots of them around.

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Sheep

There is a pretty good herd heading over the ridge.

This weather and lack of snow have definitely kept the sheep higher up.  Normally they are down much of the day foraging and rutting but timing is everything.  This was a pretty good herd with a big ram, but I was not fast enough as they headed out at a dead run over the ridge and we just could not find them. But every sighting it gift, and we never take them for granted.

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The Bad News

After a couple of months of doing great it is back.  Myasthenia Gravis is back with a vengeance.  Whatever effects I got from the infusions when on the vent have been slowly declining and my symptoms are at an all-time high.  Little is actually known and the treatment options are not really broad.  Suffice to say this is no way to live.

I am really weak, my gait is reduced to a shuffle, and I should not be picking up anything heavy.  Swallowing at times is tough but at least my shortness of breath that put me on the ventilator last time is more associated with movement, last time it had a life of its own when it almost killed me.  So, there is that.  The generalized weakness is down in my bones, and it is quite disheartening.  While I can still drive that is fast slipping away.  And it has changed my voice to something weird. When I say MG is a despicable disease that it is putting it mildly.

Normally I would already have gone to the ER but I have a Dr’s appointment on Tuesday in Pueblo so good timing.  It will be interesting what he thinks but obviously this is bad.  So will pack a suitcase if it ends up I have to go back in the hospital.  There is no give up in me and I will do as told.  I am not one of those folks so full of themselves they think they know better than a professional.  So wish me well and I will keep you filled in.

Plus a kind thought for my mother-in-law who is having a tough time right now.  She is as good a MIL as you could wish for.  As soon as my hassle comes down your daughter will be on a plane.

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GO BEARS!

Sorry for Bo Nix, what a player but they are not out of it by a long shot.  I have been a lifelong Bears fan so still have 2 teams in the hunt.  And Monday Indiana could make history.  Another great year on the gridiron and things are coming to a head, and it has been exciting so far.  So, let’s all go down to the last minute and make it a great game.

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So there you have it, life goes on. God willing mine will to.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

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An Elk or Two

On our travels the last few days we covered about halfway up the state and saw 2 different herds of elk.  But as we were on the way home there was a field by the road that was the mother lode.  Not sure how many were there but this is the view from across the street lens wide open and it did not cover the whole herd.

Not hard to recognize from a mile away.  There was a bunch.

All bedded down together like they do in the wintering grounds.

We spent a good deal of time glassing and watching them.

4 or 5 small bulls but no bigboys.

Hard to imagine how many there were. We just love watching them.

When we added the coyote, antelope and a deer or two it was a good day for wildlife,   The underlying purpose for the trip was taking the boat to the shop for a complete check up in Pueblo.  With the weather like it has been an early spring is a real possibility, and they called and already have it done with no real issues.  (Who does that?)  There was snow in the forecast but it has been downgraded so looks like we will be up at the crack of dawn to go pick it up.

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Happy Hour

We do Happy Hour once or occasionally, rarely twice a week.  Now why in world when there is a nice bar close would we drive 22 miles.  First, we do not get intoxicated, end of story.  Second see below:

The first guy is a big boy broken time or not.  The back dude has some mass.

Our drive to Creede which is spectacular in and of itself, involves a big canyon then valley ranches.  You just never know what you will see.

What a beautiful buck.

These guys were in the woods on the side of the mountain.  The guy below on the other hand was on the big flat on a ranch.  Happens to be in the area we see lots., this guy had the coloration of the pups of the den we watched this summer.

He headed out as soon as we stopped but was able to capture the moment.  Love us some coyotes!

Had his head stuck in a hole when we first saw him.  Amazing how many coyotes there are in Colorado.

Every time we go for a drive in Colorado, we are so lucky to see the wildlife, but you never know what might be lurking around.  We do not always take pics it is our good fortune just to see whatever it is.  We just love it here

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The House

Things have settled down around the house.  There are still tons of mule deer, turkeys and who knows what else lurks in the woods.  But since the rut is on the downside they are tired, though we had a really tiny buck sparring with this guy.

This guy is a tough guy, and we have been watching him for weeks.

And you might remember the doe caught in the fence during the snowstorm about a month ago.  It was quite a struggle to free her, and she went on her merry way.   The other day the Boss was on a walk when there she was.  Nancy said she was moving fine and did not appear any worse for the wear.

Still healing she is one tough cookie.

While it was traumatic freeing her it shows how tough and resilient they are.  It has healed up nicely and she looks good to go.  The Great Outdoors is an unforgiving place where only the strong survive.  Will be looking forward to next summer when she brings her fawns down.  The beat goes on.

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It has been a busy week around here.  Took the boat to Pueblo for annual service and while there headed to Colorado Springs to try a Greek restaurant that looked great and trust me it was as authentic as we ate in Greece and will definitely be back. And since we are foot loose and fancy free headed to Blackhawk the next day and got a comped room for the night. We are just really getting used to no schedule thing.

Once we got home they called and the boat was done.  OMG, done in one day, when the hell does that happen?  Over the years it might be days, weeks, even months, but these folks get it done.  The only problem was the big storm, which turned out to be big depending on where you were.  We ended up getting 1″ which was gone by time we went to Happy Hour. We thought about heading that way to pick up the boat but if we had we will would still be sitting near Leveta Pass which was blocked by an accident.  Travel here in the winter is often a question of making good choices.  But Monday it will be back here, and spring prep will begin.  Not exactly sure where next but it will be somewhere.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

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Gunnison  –  GSO Fishing

Andy with a real one.  (Sorry I borrowed this from their site but wanted folks to see your work.  Could not downsize it but the size says it all!)

The real reason for our visit was to check out GSO Fishing.  With trout streams, the river, and the great Blue Mesa Reservoir, there is plenty of fishing.  But the lake is huge with plenty of lake trout, including some real monsters, a massive perch population which has no limits as they are invasive, kokanee salmon, plus brown and rainbow trout. It was on my fall schedule before the health thing but starting this spring after ice out I will be a regular visitor.  And here are their real resources for anyone who wants to learn and fish the lake,

GSO Fishing – Premium Tackle & Guided Fishing Trips

And Facebook – be sure to check them out and friend them for their excellent shares.

(2) Facebook

Tackle, guides, eBooks, seminars, just to name a few of their resources.  They share real information you can use, including on the water teaching. In my years of fishing, they are one of the best resources I have found. Extensive truthful reports, they could not lay it out any better for anyone who wants to fish the lake.  And after meeting the family at the store in Gunnison it confirmed what I suspected, just a good family doing it the right way.  I could not recommend them any higher.

If you ever wanted to try for a giant lake trout, they have them, but like all big fish of any species they are not guaranteed but for the fisherman who is willing to have a go at it Andy and his guides will do their best.   But that is not all, the pup lakers are everywhere, trout are a common catch, and perch catches into the hundreds are not uncommon.  Whether an experienced fisherman or just want to take the kids out for a fish catching good time give them a call, you will not be disappointed.

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Black Canyon

Though the park is mostly closed for the winter, much less still dealing with the aftermath of the big fire this fall we wanted to take a look at the canyon while we were in the area.  Suffice to say it is something.

Black Canyon National Park.

The history is varied and the one exploratory expedition in the 1800’s ended when the party gave it up as to dangerous and walked out.  It is one deep canyon.

Hard to capture how big it is.

There is plenty more to see and we will be back this summer to get a full picture of just how amazing it is.

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Wildlife

The wildlife viewing has been spotty at best, and the weather has not been helping.  It got to the high 50’s while we were up and back and we saw very little.  As I write this it is in the high 50’s and partly cloudy at the house.  The snow is almost completely gone, and the real big game animals have no real incentive to come all the way down to winter grounds.  But with some snow possible this weekend there is always hope.  But we keep our eyes open with the binos and camera handy just in case.

This guy was hanging with a bunch of does.

These were the only elk we saw on the way home.  They were way out on a ridge.

These guys are a perfect example of this years difference.  They should have long been ganged up with the rest of their local herd and at their winter grounds.  But as you can see not a flake in sight.  Love the climate deniers, this is not supposed to be Colorado at the end of December.

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Elk Elk and More Elk

We made a little drive yesterday down to Navajo Lake up to Durango and back. One of the big elk herds in this area is outside of Pagosa Springs.  Of course, during our multiple visits to that area before locating to South Fork we saw elk on our drives but just never connected with the herd on their winter migration.  But when we got outside of Pagosa on the way back there was the herd.

They were everywhere.  It was an easy 100+.

They stretched for at least a half a mile with a bunch on the other side of the highway.

Other than one scraggly bull with spike antlers, it was all cows.

Nice and fat ready for winter.

It is such a pleasure to watch them.  You can tell there is safety in numbers.

Suffice to say they drew a crowd and slowed the highway to a standstill.

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I happened to glance out the window in the kitchen to the backyard and thought that looked a little suspicious, and it was.

Can you see him?

Out came the binos and suspicion confirmed.  It is a good one.

A big 6.  Why it is hard to walk anywhere near a window in our house without looking out, you never know.

The bucks are resting now all over the neighborhood.  It has been an extended rut and they are getting tired of fighting and chasing. I first saw this big boy at around 2:00 and after we were out of the house for 3 hours he was still bedded down there.  Hard work being a big guy.

And speaking of the backyard while I was finishing this the turkeys were running wild; 2 big bucks crossed outside the windows and a bunch of does are feeding on the hillside.  Looking out the front windows there are deer and turkeys everywhere.  The mountain got 4 or 5 inches of snow with more to come tonight, hopefully.  When they get active like they are right now you can bet something is coming.

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Hope everyone had a great Christmas.  After literally decades we spent Christmas together at the house doing nothing.  The Boss worked her rear end off for the benefit of others and her hard work paid off as we settled into full-fledged retirement.

We are starting to plan our travel for the year and there has been one change; Patagonia has not worked out due to plane issues that could not be resolved.  The current plan, the Boss is going to Portugal in April for a 8 day hike while I will be headed to Arkansas for 2 weeks of striper and other stuff on Lake Norfork, my old stomping grounds.  Then in September it is Minnesota and the Red River.  Home of the giant channel catfish it has always intrigued me so reservations made.  Those are just the highlights and since I have been given a second chance at life this is just a start.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

Be sure to check out Michael’s website.  There are some great new baits in the TPE Titan Series KTL which is producing some big fish right now, along with the new popping cork and rattling shrimp.  If you fish the salt, you cannot go wrong.

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They’re Back

We have been wondering where some of the bigger bucks have been, and that was answered today.  While not the full complement of last year there are a few good ones around and they are playing nice, at least for the time being.  So, without further ado….

Nice and tall.

A little mass on this guy.

These 3 were with a bunch of does, doing a little chasing and some sparring.

This is right where these 2 hung last year.

This guy was just a little bit bigger.

These are all he would stand for but if you like mass and character this guy has it.   Hope to get a few more of him later.

It is still unseasonably warm, in the mid 50’s today and will be that way for a while.  There is a chance for some snow coming on Christmas for a day or two, whether we will get a bunch or a dusting remains to be seen.  It does looks like the mountain and ski area will get several days’ worth and with that more bucks should make an appearance.  These were just a quick trip around the circle so hopefully there will be more to come.

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Fishing

We need snow so bad, the longer it goes without the worse it will be for next year, and right now.  I headed back to the creek where I caught a couple the day before and there was even less water than before.   2 bites resulted in a couple of fish sticks.  So, unless something changes, will check out the river again in a couple of days and see if the icebergs are still coming down.  If they are open water fishing is done until spring.  But I do have a buddy who is going to take me ice fishing so hopefully that will happen.

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Football

Before the Raiders and Chiefs, before face masks and TV money there was the Bears and Packers.  For over 100 years they have battled on the frozen grounds of Green Bay and Chicago.  And yesterday was one for the ages.  In one of the greatest finishes in that storied rivalry the Bears got an onside kick and before it was over a 50-yard bomb in overtime and they beat the Packers.  I grew up on them, and football was a Sunday staple.  Yesterday was one of the all-time great finishes.  Da Bears!

On the other hand, there is Texas A&M.  Their record got them into the college playoffs, but they were exposed last week against Texas and then yesterday against Miami.  A look back revealed they did not beat one team in the SEC with a winning record and their play sure showed it.  They did everything in their power to lose and lose they did.  They were pretenders plain and simple.

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Tomorrow we are off for a drive to Gunnison which is a couple of hours away.  There is a fishing company and tackle store I want to visit.  They are great folks who share information so everyone can catch fish on Blue Mesa along with guide trips.  In the early spring they catch huge lake trout and the lake will be on my list quite a bit next year.  Really sharing information on the net is rare and they deserve the support they get.  We will also visit Black Canyon which we have been wanting to visit.  It was closed last year for quite a while due to a big fire but is finally reopening.  Plus, last time we made the drive to Gunnison up and back we saw literally hundreds of wildlife as it goes through some great country.

Christmas week begins and hope whatever you have planned works out and you have a safe and fun holiday.  Our week will be determined by the snow and the passes.  So, keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

  Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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A Great Drive

It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day and boy did it turn out that way.

If this is not a great way to start your day, I do not know what is.

And we did not get that far out of town when we spotted a couple of nice elk bulls on a hillside.  It was a harbinger of things to come.

A little damage on one side.  It has been a long rut, but things are quieting down now.

Hanging with his bro.  With the rut basically over the boys will be hanging with the boys and the girls with the girls for the rest of the winter.

Sorry for the quality but they were way the heck out there.  There were 3 bulls together.  A changing of the season.

Then we hit the jackpot.  The elk have begun to gather and head to their wintering grounds.  With this crazy weather they are just starting to come down but in this case, there were at least a 100 scattered on a high hillside.

Without the 600 lens we could not get these.  They may not be the best, but you get what you get.  We just love seeing them.  There was one small bull, the rest were cows.

Bedded down and still watching us even though we were a long way from them.  Still a little touchy as the season just closed.

And the day would not be complete without a nice Bighorn Ram.

He was with his buddy.

His buddy was no slouch.  They are so much bigger than they look far away.  Up close they are solid.

One majestic creature.

This smaller guy crossed the road right in front of us as we watched the others stopping 10 foot in front of the truck and acted surprised when he saw us.

The girls were just napping in the sun.

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And To Top The Day Off

The lakes are frozen, and the ice fishing is beginning, the river is nothing but icebergs so the only place that has any open water is a small creek close to the house.  It runs fairly fast and though shallow it has a few fish, so I decided to take a quick look.

A beautiful rainbow.

I took the Tenkara, which I love to fish in small streams and a couple of nymphs, with a 2lb fluorocarbon leader.  There is barely a foot if that in most places so stealth and invisibility is key.  I can tell I am a little out of practice as I missed one, had another chase which I am not sure if he hit or not, and caught 2.  The only problem with that is the other one was really small and when I flipped it out it jumped off the hook and nose-dived into a snow drift never to be seen again.  Oops.

So for a quick trip it gave me hope for tomorrow.  It was late when starting and it got cold fast and then I lost the only other nymph I had with me.  Tomorrow morning will tie some and get organized as it has been while since fishing the Tenkara.  But when it was all said and done what a cool way to end the day, high mountain stream, snow, and not a soul in sight.  It does not get any better than a day in the Rockies.

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Bass –  FFS

You all know how I feel about forward-facing sonar (FFS) and tournament fishing.  Sitting on your couch watching TV some kid watching his TV with head down is just plain stupid and boring.  So, I just turn it off immediately.  Do not get me wrong I have no problem with guides or pleasure anglers using it, but it has taken away the “find them and figure it out” aspect of tournament fishing.  (As I have said for years this nonsense you have to have a $100k boat, $20K in electronics, $500 rods and reels is not only bullshit it gives kids coming up a false idea that is what a fisherman is.  That is not conducive to growth of the sport and in the end it leads to nothing more a sport full of “entitled rich kids.”  It is why some high school clubs have banned it to make if fair.”

There are folks who feel like me, including some of the old hands on the trail.  So in response BASS has limited FFS to 5 of the 9 tournaments on the Elite series.   What will be interesting is what affect it has on some of the guys who spend their time staring at a screen, instead of actually having to “figure” it out.  But it is not the only change coming.

A number of tournaments in Alabama have now been cancelled due to the accident when an MLF boat collided with a striper guide resulting in the death of 3 folks.  Over the years the tournament crowd has come to think they own the water to the detriment of the guys who live there and fish it regularly.   Speeding, cutting people off, blocking ramps, it happens every tournament.  And sponsors are finally realizing their potential for liability.  Boats running 70 mph+ is not safe, end of story.  If you are a sponsor or put on a tournament you better have a ton of liability insurance, or you are gambling with your financial well-being.  More changes are coming; we will just have to wait and see what comes of it.

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What a day.  The temp hit 62 degrees and according to the forecast we might see a few flurries on Christmas day but other than that it will remain warm.  The jet stream is above us and there is no real winter in sight.  It is great for the Boss and her hiking club but we desperately need the snow.  The economy is based on snow, the skiing, hiking, ATV, snowmobiling then the fish and floating from the runoff each summer.  We attended a fund raiser for one of our new friends who is ill and the owner of the bar says the local business folks are getting worried.  But there is plenty of winter to come so not time to panic yet.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines