Look Back: Conejos Guides Weekend

Had the pleasure (was it really?) to spend a weekend with a group of fish bums on the Conejos River in southeastern Colorado. It just so happens it was a group of guys I work with and spend time with. We hugged the kids, kissed the wives good bye before speeding off with steaks, booze and gear in tow. It was a blast for sure. Meteor showers, sasquatches, rouge cows, buzzes and plenty of trout were on hand. The cast: Josh Curtis (our default guide), Josh Jarvis, Chris Meyer, Nate Bronson, Tim Hebbard and Will Blanchard Date: Aug 2012

Late fall in the Southwest

A spawned-out Kokanee near Durango Colorado.

Kokanee (land-locked Pacific sockeye salmon) are suited to the large, fluctuating mountain reservoirs of Colorado. These silver fish with black spots on the upper half of their bodies can be found  swimming in compact schools feeding on zooplankton, a food source unaffected by the drawing down of reservoirs. They turn reddish in color and males develop a “hook jaw” during the fall spawning season.

go kokanee go!

off with their heads!

end game...but the cycle continues

layers and bends

He ate it! He ate it!

cold river warming

sunny tail

otter print

digital darkroom:
bow and bugger

ghost angler

cold tracks

ice brown

flight

baldy games

out of here

Will Blanchard casting

brookie solo spawning...kinda funny

Nate Bronson and a stunning brown.

Noodle master....

lunch

buzzzzzworm sign

pork chop

Ben heads to Canada 2012

kispiox river 

MOOSE!

pbj!

mom getting her swing on

lunch

weenie roast

larry falk and ben

watching mom fish

Honeymoon Pine River

Here are a few snaps from our time on the Pine River after the wedding...

26.5 x 17

grabin' the prize

24x15

nice stance, nice new rod

settling down for bed

champagne toast at the cabin