Achievement ( Every Day In May )

Day 31 and the topic is Achievement.

If you were to ask me what achievement have I accomplished lately, the answer would be that i've completed the Every Day In May blogger challenge. It's hard to take a topic that is given to you each day and put it into words that others might enjoy reading. To those of you that actually read them, I thank you.
A few years ago I was able to achieve something that I had no intention of doing. On a Pheasant hunt just outside of Grand Junction Colorado, the weather turned warmer than normal for a fall day and the chance to finish the day fly fishing arose. Having never fly fished before, they gave me a few casting lessons and away we went.

I held my own for the day catching some bows, brown, and brook trout. The cutthroat were there but not interested in any offerings. At dinner that night, the mention of a Trout Slam came up. In order to get it, you had to catch one of all four species of trout that were common to the area in the same day. I took them up on the challenge and viewed this as a major achievement for someone not accustomed to fly fishing.

The morning started out feeling a lot more like fall, with dew on the ground and a chill in the air. As soon as the cast landed in the slow moving stream, the fly dissapeared in a quiet sip on the surface. As the rod lifted up, the bow came flying out of the water and wore down after a struggle. The first fish was now checked off the list.

Bow

The next fish to come to the net was a very healthy Brown. I spotted it walking a trail as it rested in a pool below. With the help of the guide, I was able to direct a cast in his direction by listening to his instructions as I false casted from my knees after sneaking down the slope. Being told to stand and release the fly, I watched as it dropped over the side and the big brown rose from the depths to smack it. The fight was brutal but it came to the net as well and another fish was checked off.

Brownie

After lunch, we made a move to a different section to concentrate on catching a Cutthroat. This would prove to be the hardest fish to catch. After casting a vast assortment of flies, it was decided to change up to a dry. It appeared from under a patch of matted grass at the edge of the bank. As it cruised towards me I put the fly around it cast after cast with no attention paid to it at all. Upon seeing me the Cut made a turn and headed back from where it appeared, before reaching the grass, the fly landed on top of the mat and as the fish approached I flicked the fly into the open and it dissapeared in a boil. Lifting up on the rod I could hear the guide running into the water to net the fish. The fish was lifted and a roar could be heard through the mountains as I celebrated.

Cutthroat

In all of the excitement and determination to catch the Cut, it seem's that we forgot about a Brookie. We moved to a different section and on my first cast I was able to hook and land a Brook and achieve the slam.

Brookie

It turns out that my slam was only the 12th slam in over two years. The Cutthroat are the hardest species to catch on this section and is the fish that most people never catch. Now I know why the guide was jumping up and down. It was his first as well. What an achievement for him.

Recieving my Grand Slam pin

I did try again the next day, and never could catch another Cut.

Fish Philosophy ( Every Day In May )

Day 30 and the topic is Fish Philosophy.

I fish, therefore I am..................................................pretty Philosophical if you ask me....

Some descriptions of philosophy are attitude, viewpoint, idea, thinking, and way of life. This describes fishing to a T for me.
I always have an attitude when fishing and will do everything in my power not to get skunked. The viewpoint for me is that I fish for fun and reward. If need be I could fish to provide for others.

Fishing is a way of life. It is on my mind constantly and get's me in trouble quite often. I live for my family but also to fish.

As I often tell my wife......there are a lot worse thing's I could be doing than fishing.

Inspirations/Aspirations ( Every Day In May )

Day 29 and the topic is Inspiration/Aspiration.

There are many things that inspire me, probably too many to go into detail about. My biggest inspiration is my family, everything that I do in life is for them.

As far as Aspirations, besides aspiring to be the best parent and husband that I can be. I also aspire to be a better fly fisherman. I've fished all my life and this has been a great challenge for me. A challenge that is looked forward to every day.

News ( Every Day In May )

Today is day 28 and the topic is News.

Think i'll not report on the news and instead I would like to thank all of our service men and women who have fought and continue to fight and sacrifice to keep up free.

Bucket List ( Every Day In May )

Day 27 and the topic is Bucket List.

A Bucket List usually consists of things you would dream of doing before you die, or become uncapable of doing them. I'm sure many of you have one and feel free to comment on here what one is the most important to you.
At the top of my list if I had a list would be to live long enough that one day when I have grand kids i'd like to be able to share the joy of fishing with them.

Another box to check some day is a guided trip down one of the great Trout rivers of the world.

Would love to catch a Tarpon on a fly rod.

The Devil's River in Texas is one of the most beautiful and remote river's that we have in the state. Really would like to spend a week on it with some friends.

These are just a few of the things I would like to do. Would it bother me if these are not accomplished, probably not. As long as the big item on top is made possible, all else is material.

What's on your list...........

Leasons Learned ( Every Day In May )

Day 26 and the topic is Lessons Learned.

It's probably safe to say that we learn lessons all of the time, doubt if it will ever change.
Some of the important lessons learned that should be remembered are things like don't piss into the wind, don't try and lip a fish that has a mouth full of teeth, put your tent upwind of the campfire, be sure you put the plug in the boat BEFORE launching.
The biggest lesson that i've learned is t enjoy every moment that you can, you never know when it will be your last.
If As you are reading this I will be following a lot of these lessons learned as i'm on the riverbank enjoying the campfire, downwind from my tent.

Shoreline ( Every Day In May )

Day 25 and the topic is Shoreline.

As a fisherman, I am often checking out the shoreline in order to get an idea of what the contour of the bottom might look like based on it's features.

The other thing i'm looking for when studying the shoreline is whether or not it's rock, gravel, or sand. This will tell me what the bottom might be like and help with the way I fish the area.

A shoreline can come in handy as a form of protection, providing shelter from the elements when the weather turns bad, as well as providing shelter on an overnight trip on the river.

Sometime's the shoreline can even throw you a surprize or two.......

Be safe out on the water this weekend.....................................

Memory ( Every Day In May )

Day 24 and the topic is Memory.

If memory serves me correct........aw hell, I forgot.

Do you remember the first time that you were introduced to fishing. Don't worry neither do I, what is remembered was the week spent camping on the lake and seeing my dad's face when they handed him the bill for all of the crickets me and my brother charged at the bait shop to fish from the dock.

I have been accused, by my wife, of having selective memory. She seems to think that I forget a lot of important things, unless they are fishing related. Personally, I don't see the relevance of this assumption since our anniversary and birthdays are always remembered, i'd say that all of the important things to remember are covered.

If memory serves me right. This time Saturday night I should be snuggled inside my hammock, listening to the sounds that only a river can make. Guess my wife was right.......

Safety First ( Every Day In May )

Day 23 and the topic is Safety First.

Since I have already covered this topic, I have just posted that same one here again.

I am writing this in response to a post that I read tonight from a kayaker who was fishing the San Marcos river and misjudged his ability in the current and ended up fighting for his life as he went out of the kayak in rough water without a life jacket.
I've heard all the excuses..... they are hot, don't fit right, interfere with paddlin and fishing
BULLSHIT
If you get the proper PFD you will become accustomed to it. I have three different ones that I use when fishing. In the summertime when i'm in and out of the kayak all day, the ONYX Pike Paddle Sports/Kayak fishing vest is my PFD of choice. Plenty of arm room as well as a snug fit and pockets to hold items. In colder weather the ONYX AM/24 Deluxe Automatic Inflatable is used. It comes with a rearmable CO2 cartridge that inflates if you fall in, as well as a manual pull. Very comfortable and can be worn in any type of weather.
When I am wet wading the ONYX M24 Belt Pack PFD is used. It is a manual pull inflatable that gives me some added security as you never know what can happen while you are out on the water.

As you can see, there are a lot of items on the market that can be used for your protection and it just might save your life someday. Don't just think of yourself while you are having a good time on the water, think about what you have waiting at home.

M24 Belt Pack PFD



Pike Paddle / Kayak Fishing Vest



AM/24 Deluxe Automatic Inflatable

Runoff ( Every Day In May )

Day 22 and the topic is Runoff.

Runoff can be a great thing for those that have been in dire need of rain, filling the places back up that I like to fish. It can also be disastorous, causing destruction and ruin in areas that don't need it.
For the last two years, Texas has been in need of some serious runoff. With it's lakes and rivers at their lowest levels, I get excited when the river turns brown and starts to roll. So what if I don't get to fish for a few day's, atleast I will get to fish in the future.

This is what the same river looked like through most of last year....

Bugs ( Every Day In May )

Day 21 post topic is Bugs.

Not sure what bugs have to do with fly fishing since all of the flies generally mimick insects.
There are two kinds of bugs that I know of, dead ones and the kind I eat.

Before

During

The End

Greenery ( Every Day In May )

Day 20 and the topic is Greenery.

Greenery for me means, cover for fish to hide in. There are many forms out in the river in the form of lily pads, along with many species of grasses. Some of these grasses are native and some are invasive species. The fish will utilize the cover that whatever form of greenery is in the river to protect them as well as a great ambush point to feed on unsuspecting prey.
Here are some pictures of greenery from areas I frequent.