FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors 

Check out Micheal’s Facebook site.  He has been on a bucket list tour in Louisiana and Florida, and it has been epic.  The Knockin Tail has been smashing big snook, reds, and trout.  It has been one impressive trip and as usual the bait puts them in the net.

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Lake of the Woods

My old buddy Clyde just got back from 2 weeks on Lake of the Woods.  I have fished from the Great Barrier Reef, Belize, etc, etc, but I can honestly say that Lake of the Woods is the best fishing hole on the planet.  Muskie, lake trout, smallmouth, largemouth, pike, walleye it has it all.  And here is just few from Clyde’s trip.

Like walleyes? The lake has some real ones.  In fact, he said this year it was hard to find any short enough to be eaters. What a sad state of affairs!

And you never know when a random muskie will jump on.

And as far as lake trout go this will do!  They were really on the chew this trip.

A nesting pair.  There are lots of them and when they take the carcasses from the cleaning table and put them on a big rock they come from everywhere.

This is just a small representation of what you could catch on a trip.  With an unbelievable 64,00+ miles of shoreline and over 14,000 islands it is one big momma.  And here is a tip, just buy several gold Rapala Husky Jerk in the smaller 3 hook size.  Throw it out, jerk it ar0und and there is nothing that it will not catch.  Clyde and friends have fished the lake for over 30 years, and he has learned a lot.  As I slowly get to feeling better, I hope either late this fall or next spring to make another trip.  It is a beast and definitely a bucket list trip.

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Hey Boo Boo

So while Clyde and I are on the phone talking about the lake, it is around 11:00 in the morning, when here comes a bear across the backyard.  I just happened to be on the deck speaking with him and much to my surprise (Not!) here comes the 3rd bear in 2 weeks.  While we always remain cautious it is still a thrill to see them and with the way things are out here, I do not begrudge them looking for food.

It is dry here, real dry and in the 90’s today.  The problem is lack of food and berries in the higher mountains so here they come, attracted to the possibility of an easy bite to eat.  With the weather pattern we are in we can expect to see more of them in the coming months.  The PD comes out and cruises the area hoping to give them a shot of rubber bullets to haze them, and in the end hopefully saving their life.  Life in the mountains continues and we are so grateful to be living here.  But we never forget we are just visitors on this land, and while our lives are short in the grand scheme of things they will always live here, it belongs to them.

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Fishing Trolls and Karens

Having been a bass fisherman for literally over 61 years (The bike and Iowa farm ponds started the whole thing.) the “rules” have changed, both written and customs.  When I first started guiding it was 10 bass of any length.  Then over the years it progressed to where it is in most places, 5 over 15″, or even less.  And with that came the catch and release practice and it went from a way to build the populations in many places to some kind of “Karen” rule.  The “I am superior to you because I release them all” BS.   Which of course is an elitist attitude towards anyone who is following the law and wants to eat some.  The reason I brought this up is Colorado.

You want Karens, Colorado has them by the bucket loads.  The fly fishermen can be absolutely brutal to newcomers online.  That particular cult has unwritten rules for everything, and any violation of their rules leads to a haughty rebuke.  Of course, those delusional trolls were born knowing the rules or even take credit for “writing” them.  And how you handle the fish is a constant online discussion.  Trout are fragile but catching them is catching them no matter how.  If you are going to keep them what is the diff?  And just like the elitist bass fisherman it is even a cardinal sin to keep one.  It has always puzzled me why it is anyone’s business how, what, or when, much less the kind or style as long as it is legal.  If you do not like it work to change the rules.

Today I ran across a new one.  There was a catch/kill tournament on one of the good lakes with nice trout.  That particular lake has a website that is related to the tournament and marina best I can tell.  So a guy who fished it posts a picture of a nice trout in a pan, and it is rejected by the site and the tournament he fished.  You reject a picture of a dead trout headed for the stove from a catch/kill tournament you put on?  Absurd.  Way to stand up for the sport.  Fishing and hunting are what they are, and we are better served by supporting each other before it is too late.  Rejecting that picture is a tacit admission there is something “wrong” with taking and eating a fish.  Stupid.  Just gives the antis more ammunition.

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We headed to Colorado Springs to hear one of our favorite artists, Anthoney Gomes.  We first saw him 25 years ago at George’s in Fayetteville and were lucky enough to see him one other time in the old days.  His new album has taken off, and it is great that he is getting recognition he deserves.  It was at the top of the charts on release.  A great guitar player and just an all-around fun show it was cool to see him again.  So, if you like a touch of blues in your Rock and Roll check him out.

As we were trying to get to our hotel there was a large area of downtown blocked off.  We were close, a few blocks, so we stopped and asked an officer who said she did not know where the hotel was. Sure.  Turns out we were 2 blocks away and for a city officer to say she did not know where a tall major downtown hotel was just being a butthead.  They have long forgot the “serve” part of the motto.  But I digress.

The festival was the start of the Pike’s Peak race, and the streets were full of cars of all sizes and styles.  From Indie cars, desert racers, fancy foreign jobs and even old muscle cars it was something.  The race is a big deal there and maybe in the future we will attend the actual race, at least what you can see.  One thing for sure it was a crazy display of horsepower.

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My crazy MG road continues.  I had a couple of really bad days, one of them the worst in a while.  But today feeling good and looking forward to fishing this week.  The neighbor’s son in law is back and am looking forward to taking him and his son out.  He is the gentleman who sent me the great filet knife set for taking him out last year.  While not necessary at all it was a nice gesture from a 300lb just retired NFL lineman.  When he steps in the boat you sure know it.  Looking forward to a fun week.  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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Platora Lake

Platora Lake and the little village of Platora has been on my fishing list for a couple of years.  There are 2 ways to get there, highway which is around a 10 miles, or over the mountains 40 miles.  Of course we chose the mountains.  It has been busy and the animals are laying low though we did see a few mule deer on the way.  Our route was really rough and it took several hours but what fun.

Saw plenty of deer on the way.  The antlers are starting to grow.

Once we finally got there first up was the ramp and it was bad.  Looking at the Boss’s picture below it looked like the lake was a good 15′ down.  The ramp was way up the hill and the only way to launch would have been down the hill and off a rocky bank.  In my younger days I just might have tried it with help, but not now.  Not only potentially dangerous, this area is isolated high mountains without cellphone coverage for 50 miles.  More on that later.

The Boss lakeside.  Notice the water level is 10 foot+ down.

So we went into town to get some coffee and info on renting a cabin to do a few days of serious fly fishing.  There is actually a couple of seasonal places open but the whole “town” shuts down by the end of September.  Talked to a few folks and got the lay of land for what I hope will be a few days right before they close.  It will all depend on when I get back from catfishing on the Red River.  But I digress.

Fish on.  Even a blind hog.

As we were headed back the long way we made a quick stop so I could throw a few.  I chose a dry and caught a brown fairly quickly.  She took these with her phone from way above me.  But suffice to say the river looks great with lots of public access.  Definitely my kind of water and it looks like there is about 10+ miles of good public access so the plan is coming together.

Success a small brown on a dry.

Since it had been a long day, I was happy to just catch one so off we went.  We got a few miles down the road when she goes – I have no power steering, and the battery light is on.  I knew right away it was the belt, which on the 4 Runner is a 90″+ serpentine that runs the whole show.  Oh No.  I pulled the belt out and it was badly frayed, not sure what caused it but it was shredded.

So here is the picture, we are 30 miles from cell service broke down.  So I hitch a  One company said we will come get you what road are you on, sorry we are not allowed on that road.  Most did not answer though one said he might be able to get us in the morning.  ride and she stays with the truck.  A nice Hispanic man took me 15 miles to a small store with internet.  It is Sunday late afternoon and we are 60 miles from anything.  Thank goodness the owner helped me and after calling every tow truck in sight we finally found someone to help us.   One company said we will come get you what road are you on, sorry we are not allowed on that road.  Most did not answer though one said he might be able to get us in the morning.  Her husband even took me back the 15 miles to the Boss and the truck.  Meanwhile she had limped a mile at a time until the truck would start to heat and ended up making it 2 miles to a local resort area.

The company that said they would come were amazingly fast, we loaded up and barely an hour after we called we were headed 60 miles to Alamosa.  While we tried to figure out what to do, the 2 nearest Toyota dealers were over 100 miles away, the driver goes maybe our shop can help you and you can leave it with us in our lot tonight.  And by God they did that and more.

We called a friend who took us the other 50 miles home and first thing in the morning I called the mechanic and he said he made sure nothing was broken to cause it, just belt failure and he was going to get one put it on and call me back.  An hour later he was done and made sure it was all good.  The punch line it was $220, a Toyota dealer would have been way more than that and it would have taken a week.  The dealers have become such rip offs but that is another story.

So after owning them for 39 years this year for the first time ever I was left beside the road.  It was not a mechanical failure perse, just a bad belt.  So considering the whole experience we came out of it great.  Living where we do, and doing what we do is our choice.  It just comes with living in the middle of nowhere and even going farther in the middle of nowhere.  We are so prepared with “stuff” but some things are just out of our control.  But got the truck back the next morning good as new and will be headed back out fishing first thing in the morning.  Just will keep an eye on the belt in the future.  Lesson learned.

Boo Hoo!

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I Love Bears  

If you have read my stuff you know a couple of weeks ago a bear pounded on my back window wanting some delicious pork chops.  It was a cool close enough encounter and I figured that was it as the police chased him around.  But oh no, it was about to get closer with a different bear.

2 feet away from the screen door on my breezeway.  Hitting the road after I ran him off.  Yikes.

Today was garbage day.  We are religious about keeping our can locked up, getting it out late morning for pickup.  So after the truck came, I went down and drug the can up the hill and set it in the breezeway.  I left it there so I could get something else out of the shed.  So I go in the house to eat something and the Boss heads to the dentist, and then it happened.

All of a sudden I see a bear casually strolling right outside the screen door.  He goes right to the empty can, stands up, and tries to open it.  I meanwhile yell and scream and beat on the wall and he looks at me and scoots away.  I grab the camera and the shot above is him heading on down the hillside.  What made it interesting is he came not from the forest side but the street side, in broad daylight, between the house and garage in the middle of the day without a care in the world.

We love and respect bears and stay bear aware.  Today was a lesson learned, apparently we have the best smelling empty can around.  To have a surprise bear 13″ feet away, I measured, is an awesome, frightening, cool, crazy and anything else you can think of experience.  I called the police and they said they would be out; they usually haze them and if any bear needs hazing it was this guy.  After he moved away a few feet, he was not worried and if you look at his mouth closely in the picture, he appears to not be so happy.  Guess time to put a lock on the screen door to give me enough time to spray or shoot him if he tries to come in.  But like I say and truly believe, don’t want to be around animals then don’t move where they are.  They were here first and will be here long after we are gone. And man we love living here!  And the Boss was pissed she was not here.

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Got up early this morning to beat the rush at one of the small streams I like to fish.  By 8:00 they were coming out of the woodwork.  I managed to put 3 in the net, 1 on a dry fly on the  regular rod and reel, and 2 on the Tenkara.  Here is a couple.

Fun on the dry fly.

A beautiful rainbow on the Tenkara.

My fly rod journey continues.  It did not help that since I got sick last October there has been little fly fishing as walking and maneuvering up and down banks and rocks was no easy feat.  Thank goodness that is slowly changing as I get more and more back to my old self.  I really do like the bite on the Tenkara, and with some of our smaller streams it is all you need.

I have another big infusion early fall and if I make the same amount of progress it will sure help.  But until then I will fish when I can, but with the dropping water levels it might be an interesting fall.  While out government fiddles away the water issues in this country are going to come to a head and those worthless politicians will act like it is a surprise.

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Forward Facing Sonar

If you have read my stuff in the past, you know I oppose it for bass tournaments.   But after reading some disturbing numbers my opposition to it grows.  Unfortunately, I do not remember exactly which circuit it was, but it was one of the big ones and the weight average has gone up significantly.  Herein lies my issue with that.

Many of the larger fish being taken are coming from more open water areas where normally they would not be caught or even fished for.  With all the pressure from way to many tournaments now those fish need a break.  Suspending in open water gives them that break.  (Before you get you panties in a wad of course some move for forage.)  If the weights are up obviously many of those fish are the bigger ones who are just trying to rest, they have seen it all and learn the bank is not a safe place to be.  And with entirely to many bass tournaments the pressure is insane.

FFS has been termed spotlighting for bass, the same principal as for deer, which I think is a reasonable analogy.  So I am changing my mind some.  There was even a post (Take that with a grain of salt.) from a crappie guide complaining that on his lake the numbers are declining as everyone and their brother uses FFS.  I know why the major bass fishing organizations do not ban it, they are beholden to the electronic companies and even if they know it is not a good thing they will continue to kowtow to them.  As with so much of our outdoor issues it comes down to money and not often what is best for the resource.

I am stuck in my usual dilemma.  As long as it is legal knock yourself out and I would never criticize the individual legal user doing a legal thing.  The rules are the rules and as in so many areas like them or not they are the rules.  Catch them until you are blue in the face or the law or attitude changes.  And with that comes having to acknowledge that a bunch of folks do not like it, me included.  Stay tuned the issue is far from over.

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Thought I would post this now as we will be out of town for some music this weekend and there is a crew coming tomorrow for a couple of days to rebuild the driveway.  But the weather is fine and there will be more fishing and exploring in the days ahead.  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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I am learning some hard lessons about this myasthenia gravis hassle.  When I fished the river bank the other day it laid me up for another day.  After using the weedeater I was immobilized the next day.  The pattern seems to be do some physical activity and expect to pay for it.  Very hard to describe how it feels and it is a learning process.  At least I beat the diabetes thing and have been taken off all of that hassle.  So times are slowly changing and I did some fishing this week with more to come.

The River

The wind has been blowing up to 50mph the last couple of days.  As the day goes on it gets stronger and stronger and is definitely not boat fishing weather.  Plus, with the season in full swing the river is covered up with rafters, wade fishermen and the floating crowd.  So I headed out early to get the jump on both the weather and the fishermen, and it turned out to be a good choice.

They were colored up today.

It was a rainbow kind of morning.

My favorite spot is a good deeper bank fishing spot usually full of Brown Trout, but not today.  On the Rio you can only keep 2 Browns and must return any Rainbows immediately and they are not all that common.  (I never keep any on the Rio, if you want some fish hit the lakes.) This morning Rainbows was the size of it, but they were some beautiful fish, and one of them was a real hoss.

They were smoking the Brown Trout color Rapala.

This picture does not due her justice.  This was a good one.

As I fished a drift boat stopped at the top of the hole to fish and it happened.  The one above went absolutely nuts when I set the hook.  It made a couple of jumps, and on the ultralight with 4lb test was a battle.  When I finally got her to the net it would not fit and then the fun began.  I always keep them in the water and while I was getting my phone out to take a pic she jumped out and I proceeded to drop my phone in the river.  Fish or phone?  I went for the fish.  After getting back in the game a quick pic and then spent some time reviving her.  When it is this warm and the fight is that long they need some time to get oriented.

That was the last fish, but it sure made my morning.  I would have preferred to not catch it while the guide boat was watching, but not because it should be a secret.  I just hated to have the customers watch me catch that size trout as it is far from common on the river.  I really enjoyed getting back to riverside and am trying to decide where I will fish tomorrow.

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The Boss above 10,000.

The Boss in the woods with her hiking club.  They get after it!

I have talked about it before; these folks keep after it.  Often going above 10,000 they knock off 3 or 4 miles anyway.  So, think you are in shape?  Try starting at 9,000 feet and cover another 1,000 up then back down, both tough in their own way.  Trust me it is work and they are “old folks”.  She is living her best life.  (Not counting my sick BS.)  She may be heading to Iceland this fall then the biggy – the Eagle Fest in Mongolia next year as this year is already sold out.  The girl likes to travel like I like to fish.

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Velvety Smooth

I happened to be cooking some breakfast when I looked out the window and here they came along the hillside.  There was 8 or 10 and by time I got the camera some had moved on.

A few of the boys who came through the yard this morning.

It won’t be long before we start knowing each one by their antlers.

It has been amazing to watch as they have really started to grow.  We do not see them as much right now but that will change soon.

This guy is headed towards wide.

To bad I did not get the big one.  He was already split twice and looks like he might be the star of the neighborhood.  But there is lots of time and growing to go and it will be fun to watch all the way to the rut when things get really interesting.

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Kockin Tails and the Glades

Wow!  Michael, the owner of Knockin Tail lures with a super snook.

He is on a multi-state tour from Louisianna to the Glades and has been tearing up everything from trout, reds, and some serious snook.  I have used that bait since day 1 and was happy to fish with it during the development phase.  I am proud to have had some serious input in the development and Michael continues to improve the product line.  The variety of fish that have come over the side on the Knockin Tail cannot be over emphasized.  If it has gills and fins it will eat a Knockin Tail.  Congrats on the trip so far.

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Beaver Lake

Hard to deal with the crowded waters.

I am really developing a love hate relationship with the lake closest to the house.  It is beautiful but at times the fishing confuses me.  It was supposed to have Kokanee salmon in it but last year I caught one in spite of giving it the old college try.  Last time I was at the game and fish office I asked about stocking and she looked it up and they stocked 20,000 fingerlings last year. So unsure of how fast they grow I have tried a couple of times this spring to catch one and the only luck I have was losing a small one at the boat.  So maybe next year they will be big enough.

Plenty of these but not what I was after.

But my problem with the lake this year is it looks like they stocked a bunch of smaller rainbows with small being the operative word.  It seems to be interfering with catching the better ones.  At Echo Lake this spring before they stocked the trout were nice and really solid.  So not sure what the Beaver issue is but now that I am finally feeling better will start to expand my travels. There are tons of lakes in the area and maybe the fishing is a little better in those.  Or maybe when things settle down on Beaver the fishing will improve.  But it does seem stupid to bitch when the problem is not catching what I want but catching plenty of fish.

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I really want to thank those of you who commented, you know who you are.  A little feedback is so appreciated as it has been a tough run.  But as long as I can pick up a rod and reel things are good.  So thanks again, your comments mean a lot to me.

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Otherwise, it is “sort of busy” around here but according to some folks I have spoken with visitation is down and it is leaving a mark.  This is the time many make that extra to get them through the winter.  Most attribute it to the price of gas.  How is that promised $2 a gallon gas working out for you?  But it is good to see folks hiking, fishing, floating, and 4 wheeling.  This area is God’s country for folks who love the outdoors as there is a world of things to do here.

Today is the city-wide (And I use the term city loosely.) garage sale and the Boss is out there without adequate supervision.  And as we all know there is always something that is just too good a deal to pass up.  I on the other hand am finishing this post, checking on a bid from a contractor for driveway work, then deciding where to fish Monday followed by some basketball.  Who knows, may sneak out in the morning for some fly fishing.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My CoastOutdoors

The last 7 months have just plain sucked.  From 2 medical evacs to ICU stays things have been nothing short of a real hassle.  For the last couple of months I have felt like crap as the medicine has done its work.  The good thing is it has finally settled down.  For the last couple of weeks things have improved greatly and I can honestly say I feel better than I have since October.  But with that said I have definitely dropped the ball as far as the blog is concerned.

The stuff below has been sitting around for a while and I just did not “feel it” but today time to turn over a new slate.  So without a big explanation here is that stuff that has been ignored.

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It Is Colorado

Just a little 4″ dusting on top of Wolf Creek Pass in late May.

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Spring in the Rockies

Along with the occasional late spring snows it is time for the bears to be out and about.  They have had a long winter and are hungry and a little irritated.  I have been waiting to see the first one in the backyard and today was the day.  It was “by” the house.  I prefer they are a little further up the hill and definitely not quite as close as this one was.

Not a Runt by any means.

Pork chops was on the menu and man were they good, maybe a little too good.  I fixed a plate and got in my chair to watch the news when there was a knocking on the back kitchen window.  And there he was, standing on his hind legs trying the window.  It took me by serious surprise and managed to not a get a picture.  And this one turned out to be a little bigger than those last year and was the first all-black bear I have seen in the yard.

It headed off down the hill and lo and behold he came back through about an hour later.  During that time a sheriff’s officer was slowly circling the area so I am sure he had already been a bad bear and got reported.  Last year they would haze them off with rubber bullets, safer than something happening and them ending up getting killed.  But it is a real experience to get to see them occasionally.  Plus, lately we are seeing lots of elk, mule deer, and coyotes.

Last year we found a den with pups in it and our first look last week we did not see any pups.  But we did see 2 mature coyotes, one with a messed-up leg, that as soon as we stopped and glassed, they eased over to the den and disappeared.  So, looks like we should get some good viewing soon.  One of the reasons we chose this area was the wildlife and it rarely disappoints.

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Elk

As I have been here the last 3 springs it seems nothing is quite the same with the elk.  Once it warms up they just seem to melt away in the forest and unless you see them way up they are not a common sight, at least until this year.  We rarely go anywhere without seeing them somewhere.

This year the weather has been nice and they are still around.  So what is the difference?  One is the nice green grass and lower pastures where we are seeing them.  Is the weather just fooling me into thinking they should be gone but is this just the normal time they leave.  No matter what it sure makes drives go faster.  One thing for sure the pregnant mommas will be headed to the high timber to have their babies.

Supper on the hoof.

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I had 3 bites that day wading.  Landed 2 snook this size and jumped a nice tarpon.  This picture is from a trip to the Everglades with Michael the owner of Knockin Tail Lures.  We worked the ICAST show which is a tackle show for distributors and manufacturers.  The public is not allowed but it is something with a who’s who of the fishing world.  Even met the captain of the offshore boat where I caught my first marlin off the coast of Puerto Rico.  Small world.

This was the other one.  A gill rattling head shaking good time.

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Don’t want to make it seem we have not been out and out and about.  Have made a couple of short hikes with the Boss and on one of those hikes found an elk highway, along with deer and bear tracks.  It is in the over-the-counter area close to the house so if I keep progressing like I have a few sitting sessions will be in my future.  Here is a few pics just have not posted as I try to get back to business.

Nothing says Colorado like a high mountain lake.

See a road in the San Juans?  Drive it!

While things have been tough we still drive the mountains looking for whatever we might see.  Now I a ready to start up and the fly rods are in the truck cause you never know what cool stream you might cross.  Then out comes the Tenkara.

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Let the games resume!

That cleans up a mess and I will start new tomorrow.  I really appreciate those of you who have stayed with me.  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

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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