Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Almont Part 4...The Taylor River
I
found myself responsible for breakfast on our last day. I was up at 5:00am making
my version of high altitude pancakes and I tried something new as a side. Not
out of creativity; rather, out of the need to get rid of brats that we had not
eaten during the trip. I split a bunch of beer soaked brats, fried them in a
pan and they provided the protein to go with the pancakes. Gotta admit, I will
be making them again on future trips.
We took CO
135 from Almont to Jack’s Cabin Road. You might remember that we had to take
Jack’s Cabin Road because Taylor Canyon Rd (CR 742) was closed to any vehicle
or pedestrian travel as they completed road construction. Taylor Canyon Rd runs
along the Taylor River and excites the senses.
The morning sun was just peeking
over the surrounding ridges. The fields and hill sides were lush and green. As
we drove into the canyon that the Taylor River called home, the cool crisp
morning air smelled of moist pines. The whistles of chickadees and the barks of
the Stellar jays welcomed us to the Taylor.
We found two separate pull outs and geared up.
Knowing that it was the last morning in the Gunnison Valley, I took extra time to gear up. I noticed that the air anywhere I plan on fly fishing is lighter, fresher, and electrifying for the soul more so than anywhere else I find myself. I filled my lungs, stretched, grabbed my St Croix admired the canyon walls as I walked to the river.
We found two separate pull outs and geared up.
Knowing that it was the last morning in the Gunnison Valley, I took extra time to gear up. I noticed that the air anywhere I plan on fly fishing is lighter, fresher, and electrifying for the soul more so than anywhere else I find myself. I filled my lungs, stretched, grabbed my St Croix admired the canyon walls as I walked to the river.
The river was
flowing at approximately 280cfs, the water was clear and a balmy 60 degrees.
Combined with the clear and sunny skies it promised to be another amazing day
on the river.
I found a stretch that was a mix of steep and gentle grades,
pocket water, pools, and some sections that not only had structure in the water
but also afforded the trout overhead cover from over hanging quaking aspen trees.
I fish very slowly.
I seldom move through water fast, even water that needs to be moved through
fast. I worked the banks, and any water that looked fishy. This included any
water that was darker than its surroundings and any water that had its current
changed by a piece of structure regardless of how big or small.
I fished a
hare’s ear, ABU, and a zebra midge, in that order. I attached one fly to the
next from the bend of the hook with 8 inches of 5x tippet material.
I made short upstream casts and made sure to keep the entire leader off of the water.
I hooked into my first Taylor River rainbow holding tight to the bottom of a deep hole covered by a large River Birch.
I made short upstream casts and made sure to keep the entire leader off of the water.
I hooked into my first Taylor River rainbow holding tight to the bottom of a deep hole covered by a large River Birch.
Based on the conversations on the radio, the fellas were having luck in the pockets of water they chose to fish. An occasional “raft hatch” would occur; however, the fish didn’t seem to mind. For the most part, we had the section of river we were fishing to our selves.
The remainder of the day was spent fishing any flat water, pools, protrusions from the bank, and any rocks breaking the flow of the river or creating current breaks below the surface.
Make sure you fish all sides of the rocks. Don’t forget to let the nymph come up to the front of the rock before they break to one side or the other. The cushion of water in front of the rock will hold the nymphs in the cushion. The leader needs to be tight and more often than not, a trout will subtly take the nymph. Of course, you will have your share of snags so make sure you are ready to part with a few flies or can get to them to free them.
One more cast lead to one more cast which lead to one more cast before we finally headed home around 3:00pm. We took the beautiful drive up Taylor Canyon Rd, past Taylor Reservoir, to CR 209 up to the summit of Cottonwood Pass, a mere 12,126 feet in elevation.
CR 209 winds up to Cottonwood Pass in the shadows of 14’ers such as Mt. Princeton, elevation 14,197 and Mt. Yale, elevation 14,194. It is nestled between North and South Sheep Mountain and gains elevation and switches back on itself until the summit is reached. The summit of Cottonwood Pass is breath taking.
We made it
back home without incident, and the excitement has already begun to building
for Almont 2014!
Tips of the Trip…
Value every
opportunity you get to spend time outdoors and enjoy the beauty that is fly
fishing.
Slow down and appreciate the sights, sounds, smells and sensations created from standing in a river.
Share your experience, your time, and knowledge with others.
Value every moment spent with family and friends.
Take time to breath and connect with the spiritual aspect of being outdoors.
JT and I
decided to fish Rocky Mountain National Park the next day and round out the
week with a trip to the Poudre River. Little did we know it would be our last trip
for a while because a flash flood was in the region’s future.
Ill share our days in the park and on the Poudre prior to the floods…Stop back by
Happy
Nymphing!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Thank you Veterans Past and Present
God Bless all of the current veterans, near and far, that continue to protect our way of life and those that have made sacrifices in the past leading the way.
God Bless all of the veterans that have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives to ensure that we continue to have the life we have become so accustomed to.
God Bless all of the families of veterans, past and present, that continue to support their loved ones that serve and sacrifice for our way of life. Thank You!
Happy Nymphing!
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