Sunday Evening at the Youth Camp

I went out to my friend's youth camp last Sunday to help out with a fundraiser.  After setting up the PA system for a small country trio, and helping put the finishing touches on a video, I went to the swimming pond with my youngest son.  I have been on a cold streak for a while now, so it was very nice to catch a few.  I fished with a Briminator I tied, and a small black popper.  My son fished with a Royal Wulf. He caught a Crappie and a couple of Bluegill.  I caught a Largemouth and 3 Hybrid Green Sunfish.  We only fished about 40 minutes.  Sure was fun to catch a few fish for a change!  As an added bonus, there was a really beautiful sunset that evening.

[caption id="attachment_294" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Largemouth Bass Caught on Briminator"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_292" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="My Son with a White Crappie"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_291" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Hybrid Green Sunfish"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_293" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="The Pier on the Swiming Pond"][/caption]

Sunrise, Sunset

When I can, whenever I go fishing, I try to take a camera with me.  Aside from photographing fish, you never know what else you'll find interesting.  Lately, it's been less fish and more of, well . . . not fish.

Yesterday evening I went casting for a while in a local pond in Rockwall, Texas.  Not one hit on anything I threw.  There was a pretty spectacular sunset, though.  Then this morning I went back, and again - no fish.  But the sunrise was equally inspiring as last night's sunset.  Here are a few pictures and a video.  Enjoy.

What Happened to My Pond??

Well, I guess it's not MY pond.  But I have fished it quite a bit.  I took my daughter today to start teaching her how to fly cast.  I was shocked to see this.  I've heard that the pond has had a leak in the dam, and I guess they're fixing that leak.  I wonder if they'll re-stock the pond, and how long it will take for it to become a good fishery again?

[caption id="attachment_271" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="My Go-To Pond, Getting an Overhaul"][/caption]

Video from my Colorado Fly Fishing trip

Here's a short video with some highlights.  We were in some astoundingly beautiful country.  Didn't catch a lot of fish, but we had a great time.  I hope you enjoy the video.

Colorado Fly Fishing - Day 3

Well, today was a great day.  We went with a guide up to Big Blue Creek, North of Lake City.  The day started with some instruction and stream ecology education.  Our guide, Doug, was very thorough.  The bite just wasn't on for the first couple of hours.  It had been cloudy and a little rainy all week prior to our fishing today.  But there was not a cloud in the sky today, and the trout were very, very spooked.  Eventually the bite turned on and we started getting strikes.  Zac, Drew and I managed to put about a dozen fish on the line.  They were all brook trout.  Wild brookies tend to be very small in this stream, so the real thrill is making a presentation with a fly that won't spook them, that looks natural, and that doesn't end up in a tree behind you.  Watching the fish hit at your fly is such a thrill, especially when you are working so hard at presenting that fly just right.  Here are a couple of photos I took with my iphone.  Our guide took more, and I'll post those as soon as he emails us.

[caption id="attachment_256" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Brook Trout"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_257" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Drew working with Doug, our guide"][/caption]

Colorado Fly Fishing Day 2

The boys and I hit it today.  We went to a high country creek near some small lakes. We thrashed the water for hours.  A little rain, then sunshine, then again, rain. Zac was the only one who connected with a fish all day.  Tomorrow we're going to go to Big Blue Creek.  It's a small stream at an altitude of approx. 10,500 feet.  We did see some interesting wildlife.  Here are some pics.  Hopefully my next post will feature a lot more fish.

Zac with a Brook Trout

This is where we fished today

Bull Moose Eating Some Weeds in the Water

A Young Mule Deer

Zac and Drew

Colorado Fly Fishing

Today I left Dallas with my oldest son and drove straight through to Lake City, Colorado.  Today was just about driving.  The closest we did to fishing was to stop along the way and purchase our 5 day fishing licenses.  It was a great drive, and really great to se my youngest when we got there.  He's been staying in Colorado all summer.  Here are a couple of pictures from our drive.  I'll post more each day for the next three days.

From a Scenic Overlook in the Middle of Ratton Pass

[caption id="attachment_233" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="The Rio Grande River, About Twenty Miles From It's Headwaters"][/caption]