River Fog

"River Fog"

kuchynkaPHOTO

On the Road Again

On the road again, as the greatWilly Nelson sings. It is has been our theme song for the last 8 weeks or so, as each week has been action packed and brought a new river to fish and sights to see. This weeks escapade would take to the southwestern side of the state to visit the Rio Grande River.

Always one of our favorite rivers to fish, up near the small quiant towns of Creede, Southfork and Del Norte. 

Our ambitious float this weekend would have putting in at the Collier State easements floating all the way down to the #17 take-out. I am not sure how far we decided to float, but somewhere between 13-17 mile. Maybe not the smartest move, but sure damn pretty and fun.

Normally it is always the Ms. Floatfisher and I, but this time we decided to take some of our good friends on a little fishing , hoot and holler trip. 3 boats, bloody mary's to kick off the float circus, and what a great day. Bluebird skies, lush green foliage and fantastic flows would treat us to a great day on the SW ditch.

Views in every direction were stunning, water flows are dropping so now is the time to get over and get a float in. Flow at Wagon Wheel Gap were 500 cfs. and 750 cfs down at Del Norte. 

Only wish we would have had the Adipose skiff with us, would have been perfect for the drift boat.

Caddis would prove to be the hot ticket to the day, Ms. Flatfishes, fished the double X-Caddis to amazing success.

Afternoons storms threatened to roll in on us, but it only brought on better fishing .

The lower river is nothing but beautiful, our great friends Jim and Jan enjoy a little wine and ride down riffles of the Rio Grande.

The last highlight to the trip was dinner for 7 at the delightful and wonderful Windsor Hotel and Dining Room. If you have not stopped here before, put this on your list of places to visit and have dinner. The appetizers and main courses were amazing, as well as the tour of the rooms were beautiful. The Flat Iron Steak is to die for, as well as the Chocolate Soufflé. Oh,   This will definitely be a stop next time we come down, with 3 Barrels Brewing on block down. 

Simms

While traveling a couple weeks ago, we had the morning to goof around in Bozeman, have breakfast,

visit a few of the local fly shops and we decided to shop and check out the new facilities of Simms.

Not sure if a tour could be had or not, we would stop by and see the wader production in full force.

Absolutely a huge facility, where all the waders are produced for 28 countries , give or take a couple. I am sure some my information could be wrong as I was not prepared for all the grew information the 
receptionist was giving us about Simms and all the great products they produce. Obviously, most of boots and clothing come from other area's or oversea's and shipped out Bozeman.

One thing I noticed in our visit, where all the smiles and the clean and nice work 

environment that present. Man were they pumping out some units.

Turn Back the Clock

Well over a month away from our home ditch and how nice it was to be back home. Quite a 

significant difference from June 15th when we left and saw the water lapping 4200 CFS. and moving 

small house sized trees down the river. 

Scouting the river would show us the new changes to the river channels, the redeposited debris piles, 

the scoured and clean river bottom ready for new bug life. Oh, how nice... 

Figuring there would many private boaters looking to fulfill their need to fish and row, we decided we would float a lower section away from others , so we did not have to share the river. It worked

not another single boat, a private river.

 We invited our good friends Andy and Paul to see a part of the river they had never fished, 

as rapids they would row for the first time. Always fun to see some beady eyes, a little wide 

open, as they hit the wave trains. Rapids always look a little different from water level,

than they do from the scouting level.

 Well I think it has been at least 5 or so years since we have a day like this, not many casts

went without a fish being on the end of the line. A single dry would do the trick most of the day for our boat, but Paul and Andy would fish doubles and do equally as well.

Going small in the soft water with a #16 olive stimulator was deadly. The fish would be sipping and sucking them down with wild abandon. In the heavier water, a Chubby in purple, would be equally as deadly, and not be to tie on to 3X. A one fly kind of day.

Frequent stops were in order to laugh and giggle, occasionally have a shot of fireball, 

and decide which bank to switch things up on. 

Weathered hands tie on another fly from the toothy browns, that were tearing 

the flies.

 Ms. Floatfisher likes fish pictures so she can have pedicures and pretty nails.