2011 Flashback Part 1

The Fish Spotter was very active during the 2011 fishing season.

This should be the "fly of the year".  It's the Red Two Bit Hooker.

This was one of my experimental flies.

This "bug" fooled a lot of fish this year.

We had to float in the snow.....

and in the rain too.

This year's run-off lasted longer than usual.

Then the water cleared...fishing (I mean catching) was good!!!

2011 Flashback Part 2

Peaceful morning on Antero.

Is there room for one more boat at this put-in?

The rainbows are healthy.

Browns are plentiful.

The high mountain lakes were productive too.

Hopefully this fish survived 2011.

This Afternoon's Adventure

My second cast landed this brown on a Two Bit Hooker.

This rainbow preferred The Arizona Prince.

The Two Bit Hooker is an amazing fly--summer and winter.

This was a nice rainbow.

The big brown truck left this at my house last week.  It's a nice Christmas present.

Today

It's suppose to be a nice day today so I'm taking The Fish Spotter

and trying to catch some fish on this Two Bit Hooker.

Fence Posts

Posts are used to hold wire and close gates.

Also used to hang signs on and to keep people out with a chain.

Many old fence posts have character.

The Lunar Eclipse

We got up early and watched the lunar eclipse this morning.

We only saw 3/4 of it because of the mountains,

but WOW  it was neat to watch!!!

Opening Day at Monarch Ski Area

Darlene and I were first in line.  We got to help hold the banner for a photo op.

My Kansas Trip

We loaded bales of corn stalks in the warm Kansas sun.

Two days later, a Kansas blizzard arrived.

Now its cold loading those bales.

Unfortunately, I got this load stuck in a snow drift...just a 2 hour delay.

These buffalo seemed to enjoy the blizzard.

I did have time to go pheasant hunting.

The Biggest Elk That Roamed The Woods

Rick said that this was the biggest elk he had ever seen when he first saw it.

The closer he got to it, the smaller it got. 

One thing is that it will be a good piece of meat to eat!

First Day Back On A Horse

The Fish Spotter said it was cold, wet ride into camp.

Foxy Lady!!

 I came home for a few days rest. 

Someone else was resting too--right out in our front yard.

The fox stretched and then laid down again to snooze.

The Fish Spotter was in the house looking out the patio doors

wondering who was in her yard.

Tree Tattoos

While wondering around in the woods, Rick and I discovered

68 year old tree tattoos.  

Fall Colors

Nice 3/4 curl big horn sheep poses while I snap his picture.

Hospital Bed

This is not the way I wanted to spend the final days of my fishing season.

I got bucked off of a new horse.  Broke a rib which punctured my lung.

It took 3 days on a machine to re-inflate the lung.  Boring!!!

I'll be out for rehab for 6 weeks.  I'm taking The Fish Spotter with me

(and maybe my wife).

A Day for the Newby!!!

This was an epic day for catching fish for the newby (Cindi).

From the big smile on her face,  I think she enjoyed herself.

Those gorgeous nails holding this brown are PURPLE!

Then she lands this hefty rainbow!!!!!!!!!!!!

Todd also caught fish, but the day definitely was for Cindi.

The Weather Was a Factor Today

Rose was all smiles after catching nice sized rainbows today.

We ducked under the bridge because it started to rain.  Rose still caught fish!

Mark also caught some nice rainbows.

The DOW shocking the previous day did slow down our catching. 

But once we got passed Low Point, the catching picked up.

Nice catch in the rain storm!

An Epic Fall Fishing Day

Steve caught more rainbows than he ever has on a single trip.

Another nice rainbow!

This was Don's first float trip.  He loved it!

The red Amy's ant was the trick today.