Can't Tellya Creek

My daughter and her husband Kevin have been escaping the Arizona heat by hanging out at my place in the Wet Mountains of southern Colorado. The Arkansas has been a little slow because of the 90 plus degree weather. We've seen lots of bugs on the Ark from PMDs to yellow sallies and larger stone flies. Yesterday, we were even in the middle of a red quill hatch, but the fish just weren't as excited about it as we were! Kevin's a novice fly fisherman and has been holding his on! We decided today to go to my favorite little greenback creek and leave the heat behind. We hiked to about 10,500 feet above sea level and had a great day on native wild cutthroats! What a day we'll both always remember! I loved watching Kevin catch fish after fish from the same pool! We saw a collection of aquatic insects from PMD's to green drakes to stone flies and even a few caddis! Here are some highlight photos from our day! Can't wait to get up there again in the near future!

Setter Feathers...

Bella the Bracco Italiano

Here's a link to a story of hunting Bracco Italianos in Colorado. Bella is my friend Paul's dog...she's a bird dog for sure! Click here to get to the story!

Red, White, Blue & Greenbacks!

What a day with blue bird skies. It started with some bird dog conditioning on rocky terrain trying to get them (and their feet) in shape (& me!) for our 2 week trip to Idaho this October to chase grouse, chukars, huns and valley quail. Followed by a trip to Barry's Den at Texas Creek on the Arkansas...Spanish Omelet and browns on stimulators and emerging pale morning duns and yellow sallies as droppers. Could it get any better than that? I rushed back to the cabin to relieve the bird dogs and get a quick snack. What the heck...it's the 4th, why not fish my favorite creek for Colorado greenbacks and brook trout! The creek was still a little high from the run off, but it was gin-clear, and the fish were ready to smile and get their pictures on the blog.

Walter had left me a text message to go all out and spoil myself today...see what's cooking at our favorite restaurant in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Westcliffe, Colorado...Cel Dor Asado. Amy & Kelley spoiled me with marinaded buffalo with pineapple, potatoes, and asparagus all grilled over hot coals. Unbelievable! Rounded out with apple crisp also made on the coals and drowned in vanilla bean ice cream! To top it off, the Rockies won this afternoon after 15 innings! What a wonderful Independence Day! I'm grateful to be an American and live in this country!

Tomorrow's another day...where it takes me, only time can tell! I'm sure the bird dogs know!

Setter Feathers...

My Grandson Liam's First Fish!