The Dream Stream

A nice video of the steam and area that we fished together. Also proof that if you want to catch trophy wild fish on tiny flies in the middle of the winter, going with a guide at the top of the food chain is tantamount. Let's all go again someday.

mrlee in Dry Fly Action

Here is mrlee in dry fly action when we were at secret creek in Colorado.


https://vimeo.com/51828469

Colorado Trip (First Day)

 What a great trip! I really had a great time out there. I thought California was great place to fish: I didn’t realize that how awesome Colorado is for fly fishing. I can’t wait to go out there again. Thanks mrlee for inviting me to great water while he had so much to do with family. I loved Frying Pan River yet I enjoyed a lot at your secret creek below the reservoir walking through the tall bush and catching many browns.

First Day:

One Trout Per Hour

Ksanchun came to Colorado for a crazy 36 hour fishing session. Even though the baby was sick, my angel of a wife gave me leave for one night. I could have taken him to any number of streams within a short drive. Instead we hightailed it to the other side of the state to fish my secret stream, a stream I haven't fished in seven long years! We fished the infamous Frying Pan the next day and well..... I'll let these teaser pics speak for themselves. Ksanchun has all the pics and video, I hope he posts something soon.

A few glorious hours

Home for a couple weeks and spending time with the fan up at the condo. Last year the water was unusually high. This year unusually low. I decided to fish a stretch of water that is almost too rough and tumble to catch fish. I only had a few hours before the family woke up but the gamble paid off. Starting at the place where the creek joins the river and working my way slowly up, I found the browns had moved up into every pocket. They were beginning to pair up displaying those tell tale white slashes. I sight fished to one after another inthe clear shallow water. They grabbed nymphs with abandon as they tried to put on weight before the spawn. I caught enough in three short hours that I retreated to the condo with a big grin and thoughts of coffee and sharing pancakes with my daughter. How many more browns lay in the pockets above? I'll fish them in my dreams.

WY/MT Trip Day 3: Slough Creek

 Our daily routine for two weeks had been wake up early and fish then start all over again the next day.  I was concerned about Patty getting so sick of this to the point that she will never want to fish again. Au contraire, fueled by gorgeous views, she couldn't wait to get out there and fish.  Sort to speak....

 
On our way to the Slough creek.

Lone bison appeared and gave us a glance before passed us by.

At the entrance of the creek

We've decided to fish lower meadow as some heavy clouds started to form and dumped a good amount of rain water on us later on.

 

Patty's lesson continues on.

We didn't get to see large cutts in the lower meadow.  It was mostly small rainbows and cuttbows.

The bison bull on the right was getting annoyed so we moved out of there at heart beat.

One of larger rainbow.

Found this antler by the creek. Hope he had lived freely.

WY/MT Trip Day 2: Gardner River

Gardner River, 25 miles long,and it's entire length of the river is located within the Yellowstone National Park. It is considered one of easier river to fish within the park.  With our sore butt from the horseback ride, we were out by 7:00 am to meet up with Travis who will be guiding us for next 4 days.  Travis who has been fly fishing since 11 years young  married an argentinian woman who's family has guiding service in Argentina and been fishing and  guiding all year around both in Yellowstone as well as Patagonia.  He immediately put us at ease with his winning smile and down to earth personality and we were off to fish Gardner River. 

View of Washburn Range.

Lower section of the river.

Patty getting a private lesson from Travis.  This is a must strategy for anyone who want to teach their wife how to fly fish.  Just like driving lesson, it can save a relationship.

Patty's first fish in Yellowstone.

Our second bear sighting of the trip.  Travis had his eye on the bear the whole time until he casually passed by us.

Hike to upper reach of the river.

Travis on the Sheepeater Cliff.

 Beginning of the 20th century, this river was fishless.  I guess without thinking, fishery manager at the time decided to stock eastern brook trouts instead of cutts. Upper reach of the river is dominated by brookies and my entrusted ausable bomber did good job bring them to the surface.

 As you can see, Patty's smile gets brighter by the moments.

Behind me is where the Golden Gate Canyon starts. I don't think I ever spent more time looking at the scenery instead fishing as I have on this day.