Autumn Brown Trout

As the water temperatures are beginning to drop on area lakes, Adam and I made it out to find the brown trout to be in a frenzied prespawn feeding pattern. The day was filled with lightning strikes and fish too numerous to count with most falling in the 14-18 inch range. We had some beautiful squash yellow brown trout, all colored up and just about ready to begin their mating ritual along with some large, fat snake river finespotted cutthroat that made their presence known throughout the afternoon. Adam had the big fish honors on the cutthroat with a piggy 21 incher that made him work hard to land her. We had a few big browns too with one that pushed a healthy 20 inches. The drift boat proved to be a wonderful lake fishing platform as we were able to work the water rapidly and position the boat where we wanted to hold with the heavy anchor. Dusk crept in on us, our casting hands aching from a day of fighting fish. Neither of us really wanted to leave but the day had come to an end as beautifully as it had begun.

Autumn Brown Trout

RMNP Elk Viewing Trip

We all took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park today for some fall colors and elk viewing. Mom and Dad hadn't been to the park for years and the wildlife did not disappoint. The elk were in rut with the big bulls holding their harems throughout the various valleys of the park. Binoculars made for an excellent day of viewing with bighorn sheep and mule deer herds rounding out an incredible day of elk bugling and viewing. We were able to watch one dominant bull chase off a smaller challenger that had almost completely submerged himself in the black mud of Moraine Park. I had my three weight along for the ride, but fly fishing just never came into the picture. The elk and the beauty of the park were too captivating and the day slipped away into dusk before I ever had a chance to take up the rod and chase greenbacks.

RMNP Elk Viewing Trip

Flyfishing With Dad

Dad was out for a visit this week and we managed a beautiful day in the high country casting dry flies on a pair of lakes that brought us enough trout that we were unable to keep count of them all. Nice rainbows and numerous colorful brook trout kept us happily fishing and enjoying the crisp fall air in the snowy range. I was able to finally land my first splake this season as well. The aspens were changing and the sky was clear and blue the entire day. I can't think of a better way to spend a day than fishing with Dad.

Fall In The Air

The cool fall winds were out in force in the high country today making the three weight a challenging choice when presenting flies on the choppy, whitecapped surfaces of the mountain lakes. The trout were a bit hard to come by with a few fish landed among the three of us. Eric had a nice golden trout which was the gem of the day. The cutthroat were looking for moving emergers which kept things interesting. Later, I couldn't find a fish on a reliable brook trout lake where they normally target buggers with enthusiasm. In the end, it didn't matter as the mountains seemed to reward the eyes with beautiful vistas at every lake whether they produced fish or not. It was nice to enjoy the time between lakes, putting hiking boot to trail and feeling the traction of the Danners while taking in the scenery.

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