Moran, WY

Spent yesterday fishing Buffalo Fork River and found a dandy dispersed campsite 100 yards away.  Heard some howls just before dawn but am not sure whether it was wolves or coyotes.  Caught two white fish and 2 cutthroat in the kind of setting I've always envied in videos. 

 Perfect summer day.  The first cuttie I got was genuine hunting.   A tree had been washed downstream at some point but came to rest with its roots facing the current which caused a very small but reasonably deep pool to form.  Very tricky to cast a hopper-dropper in there without getting snagged.  Several little fish tried to hit on the hopper but it was too big for them.  I got a couple of hits on the dropper and I thought I saw the flash of a good sized one.   The pool looked too good to give up so I laid a cast just upstream and let it ride into the pool.  A 12 inch cuttie snapped up the nymph and I was ready for him.  Awesome!

Fished Buffalo Fork further downstream this AM and got a cuttie I'd seen rising just inches from shore.  Nothing for the next hour or so save for a strike where I tried to set the hook just a instant too soon.  I saw him rise up to take the fly - very exciting. 

I explored a small creek near Brooks Lake but the signage about active grizzlies was overwhelming.   Electronic traffic signs warned people not to cause a "bear jam" by stopping to watch them.  I haven't seen any yet but when I went to fish the outlet of Brooks Lake people said one had just crossed right where I intended to go!

I stopped in at the lodge which is now a resort.  $900.00/night/person but you do get meals and a mint in your pillow.  

Back to Brooks Lake Campground tonight to formulate a plan for tomorrow.  Right now I'm drinking in the view of the Grand Tetons - magnificent.

brooks lake July 28

Having trouble with cell service in Dubois, WY.   I'm headed to Brooks Lake area to fish and camp.

Dubois WY July 28 2023

Made it through FSR 600 from Green Lakes to Union Pass.  Camped on the middle with a view of a huge alpine Meadow and mountains beyond .

Saw a coyote at sunset but no other beasts.  Have not seen an elk or bison so far on this trip.

Stopped at Fish Creek on FSR600 which looked like the quintessential trout stream 

Nothing in the slow, deep water but I caught 4 brookies in the riffles.  Spectacular views from Union Pass 

my cellphone camera somehow shrinks and flattens the grandeur.  It's way, way more beautiful than the pictures show.

Camped near DuNoir WY next to Warm Spring Creek.  Another dreamy trout stream chock-full of brookies.   Caught 14 yesterday.   Wicked thunderstorms during the night and most of the morning. 

I'm headed up near Brooks Lake to find some camping and some creeks.  Fly shop says there definitely grizzlies active there.

Big Sandy July 24 2023

Spent 2 nights near Big Sandy Campground in the Wind River Mountains.   A couple of rangers put me onto Dutch Joe Creek which has near zero pressure and is teaming with brookies. 

 I fished the meadow section with exquisite views the first day.  The water was so clear I could pick out the fish I wanted to cast to.  Caught 5 or 6 in 90 minutes.   Made it back to camp just before thunderstorms hit.

Next morning I fished a section deep in the woods.

Nobody there but me and the brookies. It was very much like hunting: stealth, pick your target and fire. Not since the Cannon boys introduced me to trout fishing little brooks in NH have I experienced seeing the fish and watching them take the fly.  Heaven!

 I'm for a real adventure now.  Forest Service Road 600 goes from the Green River near where I camped a few days ago, to Union Pass on the northern side of the Wind River Mountains.   In the vicinity of Dubois, WY.  Not really sure what this FSR will be like so, it's an adventure by definition.   Prime Grizzly and wolf country too.  If I don't send an update within 4 days, it's time to worry.

Boulder Creek July 22 2023

I'd previously marked Boulder Creek as a possible trout spot but when I got there it was a roaring mass of white water.  I needed to do some hiking anyway to get ready for fall hunting so off I went following the well traveled trail.  For several miles there was no let up in the thunderous rapids dashing my hopes that the stream would get skinnier the further upstream one went.

  About 4 miles in I finally found a relatively flat section and some classic backcountry trout holes.

Took just three casts to start hinting brookies and cutbows.  There were two other pools just downstream which were even better.  Caught 6 or 7 and had strikes from a dozen more.  So amazing to see a trout come up in the clear waters and take the fly!

 The sun beats down very hard out here and it really drains my body.  I got back to the truck around 6:30, exhausted.   Found a dispersed campsite overlooking Boulder Lake.

Heading to the area around Big Sandy Campground on Sunday. 

green lakes Jul 21 2023

Camped 3 nights near Green River Lakes.   Amazing campsites:

yep, right next to the river and yep, I fished it at dusk each night.  Mega popcorn rises then but the four I caught were white fish.  I fished the river yesterday and got 2 brown trout while a bald eagle watched from a nearby tree. Still no cutthroat yet but I'm hopeful. 

Went for a 6 mile+ hike around Lower Green Lake and started to wet wade the stream connecting the upper and lower lakes.  Not 10 minutes into it, nasty thunder clouds appeared so I bolted for cover and headed back.  

House flies continue to swarm, crawling up my shirt sleeves,  pant legs, even in between buttons on my shirt.  I just don't remember them being this intense but the locals say it's not unusual. 

I continue to leave things behind: fishing gear at Joe Taylor's,  Katana saw in Medicine Bow and yesterday I left my Wading shoes.  Realized it a few hours later, beat it back to the site and found them.  All totaled, that would have been big bucks.   Might have to start using a checklist.  

Headed up to Boulder Lake to check out a creek.

Bridger Teton NF July 17 2023

I stayed at a fabulous campsite in the BTNF last night overlooking the kind of meadow creek all fly fishermen dream about. 

 Just the right amount of water flowing,  cascading Beaver dam pools, the works.  Except...no trout.  I tried a number of places along a 4-5 mile stretch of the creek but never saw any rises, strikes, or spooked trout rushing for another hiding spot.  I would have stayed there for days if the fishing was good. Swarms of house flies BTW. Killed 14 in 10 minutes. 

Gorgeous views of snow capped mountains.  Saw momma moose and her baby, a wolf, and a hawk that flew right in front of my truck with a bird it just caught.   It was close it dropped the bird onto my windshield.  Also saw 5 sage grouse.

 I decided to go back to Seedskadee Refuge and am hoping the trumpeter swans will parade by with their new babies.  I'll try fishing the Green River this evening. 

Tomorrow it's off to Pinedale where I have a bunch of creeks to check out.

foster Meadows WY July 17 2923

Spent the night at Fontenelle Reservoir a bit  North of Seedskadee Refuge. Very hot during the day with strong winds which subsided for a cool evening.  Hordes of mosquitoes came out but I was safely in my tent by then.

I'm  headed to Foster Meadows about 20 miles west of Daniel, WY (population,  108).  Will probably backtrack to Seedskadee as I didn't really spend any time there. Sage grouse, Green River trout fishing etc.

Bound for Seedskadee July 16 2923

Found a great campsite near Brush Creek in the Medicine Bow NF.

Fished the creek which was full of brookies.   Caught about 20 in 4 hours.  Did a real water crossing in the truck, about 30 ft wide.  No problem!

Spent the previous night at Six Mile Gap on a very exposed campsite overlooking a huge valley.

Fished the North Platte River all afternoon with only a couple of strikes despite trying a variety of nymphs and terrestrial.  As I was about to give up I put on a "humpy" dry fly and 17 inch rainbow wailed on it!  Took several minutes to revive him after the the fight but he was fine.

Done with Medicine Bow.  Tons of tourists just about everywhere.  The Mullen fire really scorched big parts of it but the upper 2/3 seem unaffected.

Headed west to Seedskadee on the Green River near the wind River Range.  Will give updates on my location as cell service permits.

Walden, CO July 12 2023

Back in Walden to get supplies.

Spent a couple of  days bear French Creek in Medicine Bow mountains of WY. Very few dispersed campsites but I found one next to the creek.

Fished in the AM and caught about 4 wild brookies.  Gorgeous but very fast water.  Camped the next night about 3 miles upstream and caught 7 brookies next to a bridge. 

Headed to State Park State Forest to scout for duskies.  Will give specifics if there's cell service. 

headed to Ryan Park, WY July 10 2023

Enjoying a bagel breakfast atop Williams Peak enjoying the vast valley, mountains,  and bountiful wildflowers which surely must be at their peak..  I'm watching a rainstorm about 30+ miles to the south while I sit in sunshine and gentle breezes.   More rain clouds are headed my way so I can't dawdle too long.  

ya know, I'm thinking this better than a day at work.😎

My target for tonight is Ryan Park, WY area. Don't know exactly where but that's in the ballpark.  Likely, there not be any cell service there so I'll update this blog when the opportunity presents itself. 

Williams Peak July 9 2023

Brian's 3rd brookie.  Excellent casting.  Sasha was the perfect fishing buddy, neither scaring fish or getting into our fishing gear.

Greetings from atop Williams Peak at one of Brian's favorite campsites.   I stayed here 2 years ago but this time there are snowcapped mountains in the distance. 

Guanella Pass.  S 14k peaks in the background, alpine ponds, Beaver pond, Meadow creek.

Brian and I went fishing in a small.creek at Guanella Pass (11k ft).  Although there dozens of hikers out, they stuck to the trails while we followed the creek.  3 brookies for me and 4 for Brian. 

Darkness is falling now and I'm cooking supper.  More tomorrow  

Conifer July 7 2023

Staying with Lindsay and Brian at their place in Conifer for a few days.   Brian and I  worked on installing a new rear suspension leaf pack in my truck because it has been sagging under the weight of the camper.  We all went out to dinner at a swanky restaurant in nearby Evergreen to celebrate their upcoming first anniversary dining on elk loin.  Yum!

Hail and Mouses

July 6, 2923.  Took a long drive up to Lake Wellington and  Bailey via forest Service roads.  Beautiful sun drenched backcountry, long grassed meadows with wildflowers and aspen.  It started to rain around noon so I headed back toward Deckers in hopes of another crack at the South Platte River. 

It rained steadily on the drive but lightened up enough to fish.  Not a soul on the water whereas just two days prior it was jammed with anglers and tubers.  Lots of slow rumbling thunder but no lightning.  Several trout struck at grasshopper but I couldn't hook one.

Now, the rain returned with some lightning.   Back to camp.  It poured most of the way and I arrived to find hailstones everywhere about the size of ping pong balls.  I was surprised my tent was undamaged but it was a muddy mess.  I knew I needed to get to a lower altitude and with less exposure to wind, rain, etc.  Found a new site several miles away and set up amongst ponderosa pines.

Long day but the night would be even  longer.  After hanging up my wet tent on a clothesline I went to bed.   A few hours later one or more mice found their way into my truck, munching and gnawing  on whatever they could find.  As soon as I'd drift off to sleep they would remind me of their presence until I put out some special mouse treats for them.  The munching stopped but in the morning I found they'd made doilies out a roll of paper towels.   Nice.

July 5 2023

Camping near Deckers, CO. Tonight in the Pike San Isabel NF.   Fished the South Platte River 2 nights ago.   Total zoo due to July 4th  holiday.  Far more fishermen than the Farmington which is saying something.   Still,I found a stretch of beautiful Habitat and caught 6 trout, none bigger than 11 inches.

Fished Goose Creek yesterday 20 miles on back roads to reach it.  Perfect size and teaming with wild brookies but choked with dead falls every 60 yards.   Cattle blazed an easy trail for me to follow which allowed me to hit various pools.  Typical afternoon thunderstorms were coming so I beat it back to the truck.  Even though I caught 9 brookies, I couldn't resist trying one more.  I could see trout coming up for my fly even as thunder grew louder and more frequent.   Finally nailed one and headed back to the road just as the rain started.  It quickly turned to hail so I took refuge at the base of a pine tree.  Fortunately,  the hailstones were small and soon stopped.  Great day!

July 2 2023. Colorado Springs

I have arrived in Colorado.  Boondocking tonight at a Walmart in "The Springs".  Last leg of the drive was on a 2 lane bumpy highway with no gas or cell service for 100 miles.   I only had about 2 gallons in my tank when I finally completed the leg.

  A tandem FedEx truck decided my speed of 64MPH was too slow on that bumpy road so he tried to pass me and the 2 cars behind me all in one shot.  Hmm, what could possibly go wrong?  An 18 wheeler coming the other way!  I didn't see the FedEx truck until he was right beside me gunning the engine for everything it was worth.  He wasn't going to make it and he swerved in front of me but his rear trailer was going to sideswipe my front bumper.  I hit the brakes hard hoping the cars behind me saw the situation and would  brake too.  They did and a disaster was narrowly avoided. 

Gas price gimmicks: $3.49/gallon but...it's 85 octane.  If you want the normal 87 octane it's $4.24/gallon but... only if you have their discount card.  If you don't it's $4.34/gallon.  That's about what I paid last summer and $1.30/gallon more than I paid in Kansas earlier today.

Tomorrow I'll head into Pike San Isabel NF in search of a campsite and some places on the South Platte River to fish.  No FedEx trucks there I trust.

July 1 2023

Hello from Columbia, MO.  Boondocking in a Walmart parking lot.  Over 12 hours in the saddle today due to 3 accidents and a fierce thunderstorm near St. Louis.   Bad enough that everyone pulled over and waited it out.  Wind gusts were so hard, I wondered whether my truck would get flipped.  Amazingly, no hail.

I arrived in Columbia only to be told there's a new city ordinance prohibiting overnight boondocking.  So, onward to Boonville.

Upon my arrival,  there were towering thunderheads just to the West and a light but intermittent rain was falling.  It stopped so I quickly put up the tent on my truck. I looked up and saw that the giant storm clouds had spotted me and were making a beeline for my tent.  Very low clouds looked like one of those tornado chaser shows so I beat it into the Walmart for cover.

Checked the radar which showed a nasty sqawl line had just passed by.  Huh?  It was coming right at me, it couldn't have had time to pass by yet.  Then I heard loud tapping on the roof which became a roar.  Not hail, please.  Radar now said storm was long gone.  Wrong!  I could hear it beating on the roof and claps of thunder.  Checked a different radar site which showed fire engine red. Oranges and a purple spot exactly where I was.  Grrr, at least I wasn't in the tent.

Headed to Pike National Forest tomorrow,  hopefully,  to disperse-camp and fish the South Platte River.