Last weekend my dad and I went on a little backpacking trip into the high Uintas. Trips like this always put things into perspective. One, my dad is 65 and who knows how many more trips like this he will be able to do and two, life gets kinda crazy and a trip like this makes you slow down.
On the first day after setting up camp we bushwhacked to an off trail lake. Sometimes these off the grid lakes are devoid of life and other times they have some pleasant surprises. The fishing wasn't fast but I did manage to connect on a couple fish including this nice cuttie.
If I've said it once I'll say it again...if you can't get them to bite switch to an ant, or in this case a flying ant.
We found a great campsite right off the trail near a small lake. There were fish in the lake but nothing of much size and they proved reasonably hard to catch though I did manage a few.
My dad doesn't fly fish all that much so the next morning we got up early and headed to a lake that is sure to please with little brookies. It is a great place to knock the dust of the casting arm and really you can catch fish a foot or two from shore.
These brookies will smash about any fly my dad used a stimulator since he can see it well and the fish seemed to like it.
There are some pretty cool spots on this lake to sight fish from which makes it all the more fun.
It was one of the best mornings I can remember catching fish like crazy, having mountain goats graze the rocks above us and watching the sun peak over the mountains.
We headed back to camp around noon as the clouds began to fill in and boy did they ever fill in. Usually you can count on a thunderstorm in the high Uintas in the summer but they usually last an hour or so and then you can go on your merry way.
Not so this trip. We spent most of the rest of the day in the tent playing cribbage.
If I've said it once I'll say it again...if you can't get them to bite switch to an ant, or in this case a flying ant.
These brookies will smash about any fly my dad used a stimulator since he can see it well and the fish seemed to like it.
It was one of the best mornings I can remember catching fish like crazy, having mountain goats graze the rocks above us and watching the sun peak over the mountains.
Not so this trip. We spent most of the rest of the day in the tent playing cribbage.
We finally abandoned the tent to make some dinner and get some fresh air. The rain finally tapered off around 8 or so.
The last morning came way to fast and now I am back in the world of work, computers, and noise.
On the positive side we have some great memories and plans for next year...
A great trip! Even with the rain. :)And that's quite the beauty of a cuttie you're holding....very nice fish!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great weekend! You guys should come back up here next year and do another black canyon trip again.
ReplyDeletecheers,
dr