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

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

the ultimate knot

The ultimate knot indeed...

September 28, 2012

Amanda and Will had their wedding and reception hootenanny at Blue Lake Ranch. Fantastic times with great friends and family. Beers, margaritas, wine, Zia grub, live bluegrass, kids romping about, awkward dancing and high-5 good-times. Thanks to all that made it happen. The images below are from our pre British Columbia honeymoon on the Pine River. Amanda slid into her wedding dress one last time for a few casts and photo opts. She is so stunning to say the least. She also roped into a big brown trout. Those photos to follow...cheers

Season Snaps

Conejos at dusk

Will and Bob on the Pine

Jeff and Ben playing hide-and-seek around Amanda

summer brown

afternoon bow

Few images from the 2012 season...what a season it has been.