Yesterday -- NO FISH FOR US

View of the Bluff at Masonic Park

It started out a little warmer than the day before (maybe 36 vs 32) and I half expected better results, especiallly at that beautiful spot in the Masonic Park -- at least I took a few pictures this time.  Between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. in the morning, I spent some time reading some blogs about the fishing in the area and looking up various lures and flies to put on my shopping list -- things like the Elk Hair Caddis, the Bitch Creek Nymph, Panther Martins, Hildebrandts and Mepps.

So, before driving to that spot around 10:30, I had restocked my supply of Rooster-tails and added a few other things to try from the list aforementioned.  After tieing on a new swivel in the warmth of the Jeep and getting those pictures, off I went down the dirt road to the spot on the other side of the bluff at water's edge.  At the edge of the river, I started with my favorite Rooster-tail and cast it numerous times with no results so, I decided to switch to one of the Panther Martins and then another, and then a bigger, heavier Rooster-tail and then the Mepps -- all with no strikes and no fish.  Had to remove my top long-sleeved shirt during that time and just kept the vest over a long-sleeved pull-over and my t-shirt -- just beautiful and pleasant to be there and hoping for a fish.  Unfortunately, that's part of fishing so, I decided to head back to the RV for a short rest after 2-1/2 hours of fishing.  Oh, I did put on sunscreen too.

On my walk back to the Jeep, I took a few more pictures of this picturesque area of the river and one of the small cactus with blossoms.

After getting back to the RV, I rested a few minutes in one of the leather seats and then grabbed a Gatorade from the fridge and decided to head up to the Beaver Creek Reservoir somewhere off the road before Riverbend (the resort I stayed at last July on my first journey).  I passed the cutoff to Million Reservoir and continued on until the pavement ended and another mile or two following the beautiful stream (Beaver Creek).  Worthy of more pictures but, decided I might only have a half hour or more before the sun might dissappear behind the mountains or the winds and clouds come rolling in and end my chances of catching a trout or two.  After spotting the dam a short distance up the canyon, I think it was approaching 2:30 p.m. and thought I should have about an hour to fish this larger reservoir.  I pulled over just past the dam and noticed immediately that the water level had to be some 20 feet below normal and the sides leading to the water's edge were steep (more than 45 degrees) and riddled with boulders and some loose rocks.

The next pull-out had more parking spaces and picnic tables but, I pressed on toward the end of the lake where the stream might be feeding it.  As I passed that middle area I noticed that section had a couple points at the water's edge and it also seemed to be the narrowest section of the lake -- not quite as steep too.  When I spotted the boat ramp at the far end of the lake, it was concrete and totally out of the water and very steep as well -- the stream came in on the right side and looked to be nothng but mud flats to get there so, I made an immediate turnabout and headed back to the parking/picnic area where I climbed down to one of the points I had seen.

With the sun shining brightly and the wind hardly blowing, it was really quite pleasantly warm as I cast numerous times to the calm water's surface -- only broken by my lure's splash and an occasional trout.  I only used my favorite Rooster-tail (a small one) which I thought would produce the best action with the least amount of cranking on the reel.  I had three strikes including one that was only a couple feet off the water's as I tried casting and retrieving the lure at an angle to the shores (occasionally straight out).  Didn't get a good enough look at the fish near the water's edge to tell if it was Rainbow, Brown or Cutthroat -- maybe today or another day, I'll find out.

At about 3:15 the winds began to blow through the valley again so, I decided to head back, fire up the grille and cook those two Brown's that were caught the day before.  As I climbed the bank, I gathered yet another grocery bag of cans, bottles and trash others had left behind (seems the norm everywhere I go -- damned slobs).

After grilling the fish and 5 turkey dogs (afternoon snacks for next couple days), I sat at the front of the RV and enjoyed a couple beers and the abundant sunshine -- warmed me up and made me hungry -- hungry to go back and try that spot again near the bluff.  I fed the cats and set the food aside with covers to keep them warm and headed back to the Masonic Park -- arrived at water's edge around 5:30 and the sun was still shining brightly.  I had changed out to black shorts and sandals while cooking the fish so, that is how I was dressed when I arrived at the edge of the river -- still pleasantly warm there.  I fished for another hour until the clouds rolled down the valley and blocked the sun and its warmth.  Near the end of that hour, as I stood a couple feet from the water on the grass covered riverbank, I had turned away with rod in had to make another cast (checking to be sure the lure was clear of the brush behind me) -- and as soon as I made the cast, a huge trout splashed through the grassy area at my feet heading downstream -- startled no doubt by my presence and movement (as was I).  It had to be over 20 inches and huge as it tore through about 6 feet of the grassy river's edge.  Whoa!  I'll be thinking of him for a long time -- just hoping.

However, I did get another grocery bag full of trash from there too as I headed back.