Earning It

With the weather warming back up this week I was hoping to head out Friday to do a little exploring. Too bad the wife had a pretty long to-do list waiting for me. So, after trying to get all the stuff around the house done Friday, Saturday was cleared for my little expedition.

I've heard of a certain lake, in a certain area of the state that may, or may not, have some quality Brook and Cutthroat Trout in it. Of course I ascertained this from reading between the lines. The standard stories of a hard to find unmarked trail that was regularly patrolled by bears seemed unlikely, so I was set for the attempt. Unfortunately, the trail really was tough to find, but I knew roughly where the lake was and so bushwacked my way in, remarkably cutting the trail after only a short while.

Coming off my elk hunting trips earlier in the month, I couldn't help but notice how much elk sign there was. Maybe next year I'll try hunting around here...

One of many cans that I collected throughout the day. This one, however, was full.

A great site after a hike.

As I worked my way around the lake I noticed some brown box-elder-ish bugs that happened to be falling into the water. Too bad I don't have a pattern, 'cause the fish seemed to like them.

After struggling to catch a couple of small cutts, I hooked into a much larger fish that promptly took a lot of line very quickly and broke me off. Thinking it was to be my only opportunity of the day I was pretty pissed. But quickly afterwards I had another take from a quality fish that came unbuttoned much too quickly. Feelings of inadequacy soon subsided once I had this guy in hand.

After that the fish began to rise more regularly and I caught several before deciding that it was past time for me to try and find my way out. Luckily I hustled, and arrived back at the truck just before dark.

 I set out looking for Brookies and all I found were Cutts. But somehow I don't really feel like I failed.  Hopefully you can get out and enjoy the water.

Back to fishing!

Finally, I was able to clear a day to hit the stream. Woke up with high expectations and way too many things to get ready. After about forty frantic minutes of trying to remember everything I was out the door (for reals this time) and headed to one of my favorite streams. Surprisingly it wasn't too cold upon arrival, and I could go without my winter coat.

It's nice up here

Didn't take long for me to find a chunky little bow with my Orange & Black streamer.

First fish of the day always deserves to be included

Making my way downstream I noticed how low the water was, and with the heavy vegetation in the stream-bed, I was in for a difficult day. Oh well, the fishing is always good even if the catching isn't what we dreamt of. 

It looks like I'm squeezing him, but I promise I'm not

After struggling out a few fish here and there on various nymphs, I made my way up to what is usually one of the better pools of this stream. Blue Winged Olives were providing some proof of life and I was soon into some dry fly action. 

Caught a couple of Tiger trout today, though
this was definitely the best looking one

Falling temperatures and a stiff breeze put an end to the topwater action. So I decided to end my day just like I'd started it, throwing streamers. 

Really pretty colors. Nice cut on the tail and extra
 long bottom lip.  A very unique fish

On went an Olive & White streamer I tied up a while ago and it was lights out till the light left the water.

Still trying to get a good underwater pic

Something definitely happened to his
eye, though he seemed to find my fly alright

Second to last fish of the day, a very dark Brown Trout

 Felt great to get out and fish! Caught Rainbows, Browns, Cutthroat and Tiger Trout on a mixture of Streamers, Nymphs and Dry Flies. I don't know that this will hold me over for too long though, I can't wait to get back at it. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy the water.

I think this was a mink, he decided I was too
close right before I could get the picture taken

Hunting

Yes, another post about hunting even though this is supposed to be a fishing blog. My bad. Not to worry, this will be another short post. Got out late in the weekend due to some work stuff, but was met with a completely different scene.

That night we saw some great country, but no elk. The next morning we were met with some heavy fog. I don't know how other people do it, but for us scoping from vantage points till we find elk is a big part of hunting. Needless to say that with the fog our ability to spot and stalk was very limited. 

Pretty cool to cross these cat tracks
(it stepped on it's own track, that's why it looks so funny)

 In an attempt to tip the odds back in our favor, we headed for the low lands in hopes that the elk had moved down with the recent weather.

 Kicked up a group of 7 Sage Hens off this hill, but that was the only wildlife we spotted.

Great view of Southern Utah

Later we saw a lot of deer, including a nice 3-point buck, but no elk. Oh well, even though we didn't find the elk, I still had a great time with my brother and Dad.  Can't wait to get back to fishing. Hopefully you can get out and enjoy nature.

Gettin' Out

I love being outdoors. whether it be with a flyrod, a rifle, or just out for a hike. Long ago I decided that I'm a fisherman that also hunts and not the other way around. An important distinction. This allows me to be interested in hunting while not letting it get in the way of fall fishing, which, in many ways is the best fishing of the year.
That being said I decided to get a spike elk tag this year, despite the misgivings of fishing time lost. At first I entertained the idea of taking a rod and somehow working in both pursuits, but decided against it to better give a full effort to one. I may be a fisherman that hunts, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to hunt well. Life makes us split time between so many things it's refreshing to give time over wholly to one pursuit.

Saw some great country and several elk, including some good bulls, but no spikes.  In fact, I can't think of another time when I've seen so many elk without seeing a spike.  That seems to be the way it is sometimes.  If I would've had a bull tag, I'd have seen all cows.  If I had a antlerless permit....well you get it.  Oh well, nice to get out.  Hopefully you can get out and enjoy life.

And yeah, I had a flyrod with me....I just couldn't help it.