Ice Off

 Annual ice off at a favorite high mountain lake. 

 Lost track of this guy for a minute.

 4lbs and over twenty. I need to write a song with that title... CSNY anyone?

 Found a couple dinosaur eggs... The crane family was near by yelling at us to stay away. Had to grab a quick shot...

 Moose, deer, ducks, magpies, crows, squirrels, trout, a few bugs and  lots of...

 Elk.

 Fishing this lake is tough but very rewarding. McGuinn had a couple on but lost them and his streamer. These are big fish. Catching one is consider a good day. Water was murky and we were blind casting streamers. Should get better and better as the season goes on.

 We started up Parley's committed to the Provo. Then we gravitated to the Weber. Then we decided to take a chance that the snow was off the dirt road and go for the high altitude lake. Wish McGuin would have landed one but we will be back...

 

Had some auto body work done by Woody at Driftwood Auto Body. We go way back as family friends and we both share a passion for big trout. When I walked in he showed me his recent bamboo fly rod project. Unreal... This guy also builds wooden drift boats from scratch and he has also started building his own custom nets. He was showing me one of his nets and as I was admiring it he casually remarked "Just don't tell me I never gave you anything". What a classic... Walnut wood boat net. Polished to perfection. Well made gear is what its all about. Now I got to buy one of his bamboo rods.

Thanks,

Chris Giles

New Waders, Forgot The Boots At Home

 Monday we talked about getting out for an evening fish and then this blew into town... The fish would have to wait until Tuesday evening.

 One minute you are hooked up.

 The next minute the fish is off and the rig is in the tree...

 Landed this guy though!

 The session started out SLOOOOWWW. And then it turned on. I broke in my new waders but I left my boots at home. So my every day shoes had to suffice... It was awkward but it worked. Above Jon works a streamer into a log pile.

 Wrangled some really nice fish. We probably each caught a dozen or so. Changed flies a bunch of times and once we figured it out it was catching not fishing.

 I didn't think this run was deep enough but McGuinn nailed one on the first cast and this guy was on my first cast... It was a team fishing day. Taking turns pulling fish out of runs and helping each other land fish.

 I like to keep my pliers clamped onto my left nipple at all times for good luck. It's never let me down...

 Fish like these all evening.

 Another run same result. 

McGuinn sent this photo in anticipation for the summer months. If you know Jon, you know he wishes it was hopper season year round. This evening though it was under water where we had success.

I used to fish this stretch with my Dad and Brother when I was a kid. I used to fish this river 4 nights a week during college and when Ash and I were first married. Even though I can't pull that off any more it still felt sooo good to be out walking, fishing and hearing the birds chirp. Saw a bald eagle nest with chicks in it starting to test their wings. Trees starting to green and when I got home Ash had a love note waiting for me on my pillow. A few tears dropped. 

Thanks,

Chris Giles

Rams On A Cliff

 Ran into this guy and his women. He was the only male with the group so this must be the top dog.

 Hoke's first time fly fishing and he caught on pretty quick.

 The first one got away but Dalt made sure he netted this guy. We were teasing Hoke on his fish holding skills. He will get it next time.

 Sunset as we made our way to Dutch John.

 Selfie at the truck

 Came around a corner and these two were hanging out.

 I had to pinch myself when I got this shot. One of the best shots I have ever taken! If I do say myself...

 

Floated the A and B sections.

 One more of the rams on a cliff.

Had a rough time on the Green. It was a full moon the night before and fish were few and far between. Who cares though when you get to drift those stretches...

Thanks,

Chris Giles

Long Day Trip

McGuin, Danny J and I were lucky enough to get out for some wading and the weather was just right. Still cold enough to freeze the guides but the sun hit the spot. We had a great time and caught lots of fish.  I was basking in the silence. Minus the moving water, birds and the occasional joke it was perfectly silent. I could still hear the kids voices in my mind but they eventually subsided. I want to go back. Am I a bad Dad??

Picture of a picture. Danny got this guy after site casting to him. Sweet!

McGuin with a biggie. Must be two species of rainbows in here... This one has lots of small dots and is silverish in color. No cut on the throat though indicating a cut bow. Below the rainbow has larger black dots with a red band and red cheeks. Anybody have any insight?

21" on this buck

21" looks like 14" in my hands. But I swear it was...

Chunky. I caught a rainbow, cut bow, colorado cutty, snake river cutty, whitie but I never got a brown.  The potential to catch seven species in a day exists. Pretty amazing.

Check this guy out!!! red band and red cheeks.

 McGuin gearing up and Danny J rocks a pissah. We passed ribs around the car for lunch in between spots. We moved around a bunch.

 Snake River Cutty. Check out his ripped fin.

 One more of Danny's monster.

Selfie time.

Thanks,

Chris Giles

Trout Camp

Sometimes you just need to fish and get out of the noise. I set out on Saturday morning and arrived at the river in great energy. As I drove up I saw small herds of antelope and mule deer dotted on the horizons. I saw bald eagles and golden eagles, bunny rabbits, hawks, magpies, mice, squirrels,  and coyotes. Swans, ducks, herds of honking geese flying over head two hours after dark, rainbows, whitties, cutty's and browns...

I fished deliberately for 7 hours which was so good. I got to focus in on trout as thoughts of work melted away. My thoughts did wander though as I thought of the first time I came here on a tip from my father in law Randy and a picture of a 24" rainbow! Dalt and I made that first trip and did our best to find the big ones. I also stood at the boat ramp where we christened Darby earlier that year with Ash and the kids. It's become a special spot for sure.

 I caught lots of fish. The browns were in full bloom. I fished hard and drove down a mile or so from camp. Ate smoked gouda and crackers on the drive down. Fished a run for 3-4 hours and caught some very memorable fish.

 Quitting time due to cold hands. Changed the clothes up to deep freeze mode and an old buddy J.W. Hackett pulled up in camp as I was getting the place organized. He and his buddy had floated that day in his drift boat. They were headed home that evening but it was so great to shoot the shit and catch up. We vowed to line up some floats next season and I am looking forward to those floats. 

 Trout Camp

 Spent sometime hanging out at the river that evening watching the birds and then Danny J and Adams rolled into camp!

 The next day we bounced around and Danny showed us some sweet spots..

 Caught this big rainbow.

 Adams was feeling it and got this nice bow.

Danny J wrangled this beauty of a cutty.

All smiles...

Jeffery with a slab.

Jeffery with a big kiss for this old gal.

Caught this 23" hen when I was fishing alone on Saturday which is an all time fish for me. Had to walk up stream to another guy to get my picture taken. pretty amazing and satisfying. Can't wait to get back out there!

Thanks,

Chris Giles