Coldest Morning - Best Day of Fishing

First of two Brown Trout today

Yeah, well go figure.  After waking to a chilly morning temp of 32 degrees and snow covering the Jeep, picnic tables and grassy areas again, I decided to wait for a little thaw before venturing to Coller State Wildlife Area to monitor the conditions of the Rio Grande River there -- expecting more muddiness and an increase in the level of water.  As it turned, out the waters had receded a bit and it seemed the water might have been just a little clearer when I arrived there -- maybe around 11:00 in the morning.  So, I decided to throw out my lure and see if anything could happen -- maybe a half-dozen casts produced a nice Brown Trout which hit near the water's edge (in the more clear water).

Masonic Park

No more action after another half-dozen casts or more so, I decided to head downstream to do another task I had predefined for the morning -- taking some pictures of the Masonic Park to possibly send to my old client contact at the Masonic Temple in Alexandria.  When I stopped there to take the pictures that I felt would be good to send to my old contact, I noticed that there was a small parking area for "Fishermen" and it stated that this was public access and that permission to fish was not required -- which, of course, peaked my interest and so I looked more closely at both the upstream and downstream sides of the river from the bridge going into Masonic Park.  I immediately took note of a wonderful cliff-like outcropping at a bend just to the east of where I stood -- to me it seemed even better than that "Perfect Fishing Spot" at the other side of the Masonic Park upstream.  Maybe worth a trip back to investigate after I got the first Brown Trout into some cold water back at the RV.

After showing Tiger the latest catch and getting it in some cold water for good keeping, I headed back to the parking area at the entrance to the Masonic Park to see what I could discover.  Forgot my camera so, will have to go back tomorrow to take pictures -- and maybe fish some more.

Early morning here.

Anyway, I walked in the direction of the cliff-like outcropping and got to the downstream side of it where the water looked to be slow-moving and good water for some nice trout.  The sign said "Masonic Traffic Only" so, I hoped that the other little sign was correct about not needing permission to fish there -- hoping I wouldn't get shot at.  After getting down to the water's edge beyond the outcropping, I really felt this was the best fishing spot I had yet come across in my exploratory trips.  This spot indeed yielded a second Brown Trout, two fish chased my lure to the water's edge, one small fingerling Brown Trout that I put back, and nearly a third nice sized Brown Trout at the water's edge.  Whoa!  And on a day that started out so cold and forebiding.

So, we now have two nice trout on a platter in the fridge nearly ready for another cook-out on the grille tomorrw night -- weather permitting, of course.  Maybe more fish will join the fry (I hope).

My biggest platter - almost full.