I'm Back

Gibbon Falls, Yellowstone NP

The Trip is over. After many long miles and countless hours of fishing, I have returned to Tennessee to prepare for another school year. The long anticipated trip was everything I had hoped it would be. I saw some of the best scenery in the country, my buddy and I caught plenty of fish including some real hogs, and we had no worries for three great weeks. Of course, there were some headaches involved so I guess I shouldn't really say no worries although none of my problems ever caused too much stress. There's something soothing about going fishing that makes everything else seem better.

Over the upcoming days and probably weeks, I'll be sharing various happenings and reports from the trip. Some of the highlights include the large trout caught, generally by sight casting, the multiple radiators required to keep the car going, and some crazy timing issues that happened.

The trip started in a big way with the first of our radiator troubles. The plan was to drive to Colorado from Tennessee, basically driving straight through with perhaps a couple of hours sleep in the car. Everything went well and I caught a few hours sleep in the car at a Rest Area in the Texas Panhandle. Around 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, I woke up refreshed and ready to push on towards our destination. I started up the car and carefully made my way back onto Interstate 40 headed west.

Probably 15 miles later, I had the cruise set around 70 and was doing great when suddenly, I saw a coyote come streaking out of the blackness not more than 10 feet in front of me from the left. Of course, at that distance and at 70 mph, there isn't much you can do. I'm sure the coyote got the bad end of the deal but in the process, a large chunk was ripped out of the side of my front bumper and somehow, the radiator was damaged. The discovery occurred around 20 miles west of there when we stopped for fuel in Amarillo. Just before heading on, it seemed like a good idea to double check my fluids and in the process I noticed an unnatural puddle under the front end of my car. A quick examination showed that my radiator was low on fluid and quickly losing what little it had left. An even closer examination yielded a crazy find on my bumper. The coyote struck so hard, it actually left guard hairs embedded in the bumper which can still be seen today.

Coyote guard hairs embedded in my front bumper

Being probably 4:30 at this point, there was little to do except to park and try to catch another couple hours of sleep.

After grabbing breakfast at the closest fast food joint, we were on our way over to the local Toyota dealership to see if my radiator could be replaced anytime soon. We arrived just as they were opening and they were nice enough to look my car over immediately. The broken radiator diagnosis was verified and miraculously, they found one in town that fit my car and we were back on the road well before noon.

We were soon in Colorado and headed towards the Gunnison vicinity where we planned on fishing the Taylor river. Of course, the big start to the trip continued with hot fishing on the Taylor but that's something for next time.

Well, perhaps a little teaser, my first fish of the trip...

A Taylor River brown, the first of many...

New Yellowstone Site!!!

From James and Angie Marsh comes another great website just in time for our last minute trip preparation. You may know of them from their fine site on fishing in the Smokies (previously highlighted here at the Trout Zone). In particular, I really have appreciated some of the stream shots. As I've prepared for the trip, there have been several small streams I am interested in trying but didn't really know what to expect. The detailed description of the streams along with the pictures helped tremendously in giving me a better idea of what to expect.

Headed West

The time of departure is fast approaching. The Trout Zone officially kicks off the Tour of the West in 32 or so hours. We'll be out of the gate here in Crossville en route to Gunnison Colorado where we'll start things off with some small streams, perhaps some hogs from the Taylor, and one of my favorites, the Gunnison in the Black Canyon. After that we're off to the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork. Our schedule is packed for the first week or so and then we'll start playing it by ear depending on where the fishing is currently hot. While Yellowstone looks like it will be borderline for the fishing, I'm still looking forward to getting back there. I'll probably spend a lot more time on small streams than during my previous time there and I do enjoy fishing smaller water.

While we're on the road, we may or may not have good Internet access so I can't guarantee continuous coverage. However, if we get into any truly memorable fish I'll do my best to keep you informed so check back often!

No Fishing Continues

I have not fished in far too long and its beginning to seriously wear on me. Of course, THE TRIP is almost here and should give me an excellent fix in the fishing department. Things aren't looking good for Yellowstone although there are still plenty of fishing options. I'm becoming more and more thankful that Colorado was added to the itinerary however as the water situation there is much better with most streams running around or at least near seasonal averages. Also, plenty of rain has been falling in Colorado albeit somewhat scattered from day to day. The fishing should be good and I'm looking forward to catching some fine fish.

While not fishing, I've been working hard until this past week when I joined my family for an abbreviated vacation to Florida. No fishing involved which was difficult since everyone on the coast seemed to be catching fish after fish. If I wasn't so partial to trout it would have been maddening. Instead of fishing, I was able to devote at least a bit of time to getting some pictures. So, to escape the risk of becoming wordy, here are a few pictures both from Florida and also from recent hikes here in Tennessee.

A more random collection of photos you're not likely to find anywhere...

Sunrise, Florida Style

The Required Beach Shot

Just Having Fun

The Leap Back to the Woods of Tennessee

The Vivid Colors Found Trailside

What Is It?

With each new crimson discovery, we're reminded that fall and consequently some of the best fishing of the year is just around the corner...

Sunset in Tennessee

You Did Come To Read About Fishing After all...

Exploration

Lately I've had exploration on my mind. As I prepare to head west in search of fly fishing nirvana, I've thought of past trips both close to home and far away. The terminology is relative of course. To me, close to home means I can go there often which means a 2-3 hour drive. This is a doable day trip and a nice weekend getaway.

Over the years, some of my favorite streams have been discovered on weekend trips where I go with little or no expectations simply hoping to see the world and maybe catch a fish or two in the process. From roaming the backcountry of the Great Smoky Mountains or Cherokee National Forest to trying new tailwaters throughout Eastern and Middle Tennessee, I've had many great trips. The memories these days have provided come not always just from the fish I catch although those are often memorable in themselves. Instead, I have enjoyed the overall experience...a deer wading deep across the Tellico River. A bear wandering a backroad in Georgia. The large copperhead near dark along the Hiwassee. Even fish occasionally, such as some of the epic days I've had high in the Smokies on new water. All of these combine to produce an experience that will not soon be forgotten.

Lately I've been thinking about the past years when we had more water and I didn't feel guilty fishing in the heat of the summer. My first trip to the Tellico area brought me face to face with Bald River Falls as it plunged over the cliff and down to mingle its waters with those of the larger Tellico River. The falls is an icon in my mind, representing the whole Tellico area which have given me plenty of pleasant surprises. It is a place to escape from the heat, to get out into nature and away from crowds if you know where to go.

Some of my favorite trips of exploration have been "out west." Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, South Dakota, all these states have a special place in my memory and not always because of the fishing. From hiking slot canyons in Utah to descending deep into the gaping Black Canyon of the Gunnison, my time has been well spent seeking those treasures only accessible to those willing to put forth some effort. It is always worth it and I look forward to my next discovery, the next hidden gem that I know I'll find, I just know it....

Rain East, Low Flows and Heat West

We predict rain, you get rain. Enough rain fell in the Smokies yesterday to produce a small spike in the flows in Little River. Today's forecast continues to call for rain from today into tomorrow. Currently, NWS radar indicates a broad area of precipitation skirting the boarding of southern Tennessee into Alabama. Let's hope it holds together long enough to reach the mountains. If this verifies and enough rain falls, it might produce at least a temporary reprieve for the trout that have been battling low flows and warm temperatures.

In other news, the rumors I've heard about Yellowstone National Park have been officially confirmed. The National Park Service is asking anglers to help protect Yellowstone’s native and wild trout fisheries by halting fishing in lower elevation waters between noon and 6:00 pm.
It seems that at least some of this is premature as area fly shops are indicating that some of the streams listed on the official press release are still running plenty cool, albeit quite low.

Improving Conditions?

As the water levels continue to be low in the mountains, the need for measurable rain increases dramatically with each passing week. Thankfully, it looks like our rain chances are getting a significant boost from a series of fronts and upper level disturbances forecast to move through Tennessee over the next several days. Now its time to just wait and see what happens. Enough rain over the course of several days could boost stream levels away from the dangerously low ones we've been seeing lately. I don't know if I'll have time to fish the mountains again before I head west but it would be great to know that the fish are not in such danger anymore before I leave.

Done Fishin'...

Low water, warm water, both equally dangerous for trout and there is an abundance of both in the Smokies right now. My summer fishing has been great but I really haven't had enough trips to the mountains to suit me. However conscience dictates that I won't be heading that way anytime soon unless we get some rain, a lot of it.

With rainfall totals running 12-14 inches below normal and even more in some locations, the area streams are dangerously low and to fish under these conditions will adversely affect any fish caught. That is why I'm done fishing the mountains until fall at the earliest.

I won't be doing much of any fishing now for a few weeks as I work hard for another couple of weeks before the fun starts. Work should come first but after that I'm going to have a great time. The approach of my trip West has me tying flies like crazy. Between my preparation and work, fishing time will be in short supply. Yes, its a tough life and it will only get harder when I have to fish for a month throughout Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota...