Post by barryl on Apr 24, 2010 21:13:42 GMT -5
I returned to Lafayette Thursday the 22rd of April after logging just under 4,000 miles on our trip west. We spent time in Colorado where I was able to fish two days. As well as time in Utah where I again was able to enjoy a day on the Provo river one of my favorite western rivers.
My first day of fishing was the 10th on the Big Thompson river north of Denver and west of Loveland near Estas Park. This is a very deep canyon with a small river cutting through it. My only landed fish was just down stream of the dam in the tail waters east of Estas Park. We tried other spots and hooked up on fish but were unable to land them, My son-in-law Greg did land one late in the day. The fish we did fight were 10 to 12 inch rainbows very light in color with good fight. Water was low and clear, the weather was cold and rainy. We also stopped at a high mountain reservoir called Pine wood was told it's loaded with stocked bows but didn't have time to fish it, neat place with the fanciest fire pits I have ever seen. Some of my pics from the truck look like something out of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"
The next day of fishing was in Utah on the Provo. This was my fifth time fishing the Provo and my third time in the Provo Canyon. I think I could fish this spot a thousand time and still not get enough. The water was perfect the weather was great and I invited my eldest son to come along my treat. Things were looking great until .....................my guide that I had employed many times in the past with high level of skills showed up under the influence of something. Never in the past had he been anything but professional with the best of gear. He was able to preform his duties but not to his previous standards at least until about an hour and a half into the trip. I was embarrassed and concerned for him as we have formed some what of a friendship over the last 6 years. When I got him alone and talked with him he confessed that his life had taken a turn for the worst and he had lost most of his clients. I felt bad for him, and in the past would have recommended him highly, I can't in good faith do that any more. By the last hour of the trip we did catch some nice fish, I did pay him, less a usually generous tip and told him I thought he was way to talented to throw it all away, I hope he finds a way to be happy again.
MY last date with the trout was back in Colorado with Greg again. This time we choose out of the Colorado fishing guide the Williams Fork tail water west of Gambey and Winter Park, elevation 8,200ft. The guide said that this water was accessible after about a mile hike down a moderate grade. Down was not bad, but what is considered a moderate grade in Colorado, is what we flat landers would call quite a climb. This combined with 8,200ft altitude and this guy was looking for an oxygen tank when we returned to the truck. A high pressure cell had settled in the night before, it was cold, and only a few anglers had hooked up with fish, of which we were not included.
Now to some this all might sound like three bad trips.................well my friends I will take a bad trip on a western mountain stream any day over a lot of things in this world, so don't think I wouldn't drive another 4,000 miles to do it all over again and again and again an...................
tight lines all barryl
Photos to follow hopefully
My first day of fishing was the 10th on the Big Thompson river north of Denver and west of Loveland near Estas Park. This is a very deep canyon with a small river cutting through it. My only landed fish was just down stream of the dam in the tail waters east of Estas Park. We tried other spots and hooked up on fish but were unable to land them, My son-in-law Greg did land one late in the day. The fish we did fight were 10 to 12 inch rainbows very light in color with good fight. Water was low and clear, the weather was cold and rainy. We also stopped at a high mountain reservoir called Pine wood was told it's loaded with stocked bows but didn't have time to fish it, neat place with the fanciest fire pits I have ever seen. Some of my pics from the truck look like something out of "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"
The next day of fishing was in Utah on the Provo. This was my fifth time fishing the Provo and my third time in the Provo Canyon. I think I could fish this spot a thousand time and still not get enough. The water was perfect the weather was great and I invited my eldest son to come along my treat. Things were looking great until .....................my guide that I had employed many times in the past with high level of skills showed up under the influence of something. Never in the past had he been anything but professional with the best of gear. He was able to preform his duties but not to his previous standards at least until about an hour and a half into the trip. I was embarrassed and concerned for him as we have formed some what of a friendship over the last 6 years. When I got him alone and talked with him he confessed that his life had taken a turn for the worst and he had lost most of his clients. I felt bad for him, and in the past would have recommended him highly, I can't in good faith do that any more. By the last hour of the trip we did catch some nice fish, I did pay him, less a usually generous tip and told him I thought he was way to talented to throw it all away, I hope he finds a way to be happy again.
MY last date with the trout was back in Colorado with Greg again. This time we choose out of the Colorado fishing guide the Williams Fork tail water west of Gambey and Winter Park, elevation 8,200ft. The guide said that this water was accessible after about a mile hike down a moderate grade. Down was not bad, but what is considered a moderate grade in Colorado, is what we flat landers would call quite a climb. This combined with 8,200ft altitude and this guy was looking for an oxygen tank when we returned to the truck. A high pressure cell had settled in the night before, it was cold, and only a few anglers had hooked up with fish, of which we were not included.
Now to some this all might sound like three bad trips.................well my friends I will take a bad trip on a western mountain stream any day over a lot of things in this world, so don't think I wouldn't drive another 4,000 miles to do it all over again and again and again an...................
tight lines all barrylPhotos to follow hopefully
Big Thomson tail water
My son-in-law Greg at Williams Fork elev. 8,200ft CO
