October Skiing - yea!

After 2 days of heavy snow this week at home (2.5 feet in our deck!) today was amazing sunshine so I decided that "today was the day" for October skiing - finally!
With one lift open, there was a bit of queue - around 30 minutes to the lift and I was told that was pretty good - the average was around an hour (!)

Fishing for the BIG one at Clear Creek

The day after my Birthday - Daniel and I went up to Clear Creek to see if we could catch a few with Nymphs. We were using bead head prince nymphs which were just what the brown trout wanted.

We found a great stretch where the river splits around an island and few people ever get to. There were some nice areas in the riffles and at the end where they joined together again.

This was Daniel's first time nymphing and he caught a brown trout, but then I was pleased as punch when he caught a 12.5 inch rainbow on a red copper john!

The day after my Birthday - Daniel and I went up to Clear Creek to see if we could catch a few with Nymphs. We were using bead head prince numphs which were just what the brown trout wanted.This was Daniel's first time nymphing and I was pleased as punch when he caught a 12.5 inch rainbow on a red copper john!

Fishing at Clear Creek

Had a day at Clear Creek with Daniel.
Daniel caught 2 with a classic Caddis .. but then I caught 2 to catch up.
(phew! credibility remains intact!)

Old Muddy

With a weekend not in the planned camping schedule (!) we decided to spend a night or two peacefully camping just as a family on the Colorado River.
Well - we ended up going to Glenwood Canyon.
Honestly I could not reccomend this campsite to anyone other than those who are forced into an overnight stop halfway across the State of Colorado.
We arrived late Friday night with a thunderstorm that that incredible - lightning flashing around the canyon, thunder booming and echoing. It was as if we were being given a message - 'no... turn around.. go home'.... hmmm

The Colorado River was living up to its nickname of Old Muddy - brown mocha water - not much of a spot for fishing.

On top of this the campsite is the other side of the river from the main rail track which has passenger trains and freight trains coming through during the night. We had visitations from the rail company at 1.30 and 2.30.
The noise was unbelievable: the ground shaking, the engines roarinbg, the brakes screeching - I had to shout to kate to be heard - and she was right next to me - and it was 2.30AM ..!

Needless to say the fishing was unproductive - however, I was impressed with the creek in No-Name Canyon which was just behind us. If I had more time that water looked sparkling clear and I am sure would have delivered up some nice Brookies at least.

Saterday afternoon saw our camper being nearly blown over by a freak gust which damaged the awning and door and so we had to shut things down and return to Denver.

Throw back the big fish and keep the small ones

(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists at the University of Toronto analysed Canadian fisheries data to determine the effect of the "keep the large ones" policy that is typical of fisheries. What they found is that the effect of this policy is an unsustainable fishery.

In fact, the opposite policy (keep the small young ones and throw back the large old ones) would result in a more sustainable fishery. In short -- a big fish in the water is worth two in the net.

Put simply, a fish population will produce more young -- and therefore sustain more fishing -- if it is made up of big, old fish.

The team of scientists used a simple population model, as well as evaluating data from 25 marine fish species. They also tailored their methods to allow for other possible causes for the results, such as the effect of climate.

Finding ways to replenish fishery stocks and improve management provides both ecological and financial benefits.

January Bear Creek

What a great couple of hours! I love Bear Creek. Quiet and still - snow everywhere and just a few tracks of small animals. The creek was mostly iced up - but a line of open water can be found here and there.
My first catch was a nice brown caught on a green flash pheasant tail #18
Then, in a larger deeper pool I got a large wonderfully colored rainbow trout with bright red cheeks.
This fish was big! I had real problems getting him in over the ice shelf. A beautiful heavy fish at around 14 -15 inches. Thrown back of course!

Skiing 2009

5.30am start to the day (not my idea of fun) - wake Daniel and Eve - cook Pancakes as a way to bribe them into being jolly.. throw gear into car - speed out of town to I70 and up to Breckenridge.

From Ski2009

From Ski2009