I'll Make Mine a Double

On my lake it can always be a frustrating experience fishing just after the ice has melted. The temperature is still pretty low, so the bug activity is equally low to nonexistent. The weather can go from clear blue skies and sunny to snowing in less than 24 hours (and then back to clear/sunny in another 24 hours). Finally, the biggest question is: How many fish made it through the winter?

The good news this year is that we seem to have had a pretty gentle winter and there are plenty of big, healthy fish. I know, I caught a few Rainbows over the weekend. Ah the joys of fishing...

This coming weekend I'm heading to the Arkansas River to experience my first "Mother's Day Hatch" of mayflies. I can't wait! I used to do a fair bit of kayaking on the Ark, but a few distractions have kept my feet on dirt for the last few years. Hopefully I'll be in a raft, drifting and fishing the river. Second best option is wading. Should be fun either way...

Let'r Fly

Went down to the lake with my son the other night after dinner. I was excited to "wet the line", so to speak; he was so excited he wet his pants. We're still working on the potty training thing. Needless to say, I caught nothing while my son caught lots of grass, rocks, and a little chill due to his wet pants.

I'm sure things will improve, for both of us.

Opening Day

The ice is melting away. There's already a sizable hole and it should keep growing.

And so begins another season of fishing on "the lake". HOORAY! I'm getting my ass down down there at lunchtime tomorrow to see how many of the stockers made it through the winter. I've got my fingers crossed that since we had a reasonably mild winter, the winterkill won't be a bad as last year. YIPEE!

Dam It Estes Park!

Fished in Estes Park today, just below the dam. If it weren't for the relentless wind and the fact that I had less than one of the right flies to use, it would have been a bad day.

I did catch one fish. That's nothing compared to Dave's 6-pack. But one fish is better than no fish, or a stick in the eye for that matter.