Rocky Mountain Fly Fishing

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Our RV site at the Mountain Views RV Park in Creede was right on the Rio Grande River, which allowed us to watch the twice-daily parade of river rafters as well as men and women fly fishing from boats.

While Alan caught a few small trout from the river using a conventional rod/reel, the highlight of our trip was a fly-fishing trip to a mountain creek in the Wiminuche Wilderness Area. We first learned how to cast the fly rod in the campground. The next day, our guide Robert, accompanied by his canine companion Willow, picked us up early for the drive into the Rio Grande National Forest. At the trailhead, we donned waders, boots, vests, and assorted gear for the day-long excursion. We hiked in for about an hour through the forest, made several precarious creek crossings (one of which was a balancing act on a couple of small logs across the water), and ended up in a gorgeous high meadow where the creek was center attraction. We fished near beaver dams, from the side of the creek into promising fishing holes, and even waded into the fast-moving water to cast directly upstream. There was lots of evidence of moose activity near the creek (tracks, droppings, and bedding areas), but the moose were obviously busy elsewhere, as we didn’t see any of them the whole day.

While the morning was slow (and lunch was not fresh fish, but peanut butter on crackers, apples and cookies), early afternoon brought success with pan-sized brook trout and a couple of browns. Robert snagged a dandy 14” one, which was the largest catch of the day. By day’s end we had at least eight fish, enough for two nice dinners that Alan cooked in our cast iron skillet back at the RV park.

At the end of the day, we were exhausted. Even though Alan hobbled around the next couple of days with two blisters, the experience was definitely worth it!

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Photos

Rio Grande River
Flowing right in front of our site at the RV park; site of Alan's conventional rod/reel catch

Alan's catch of the day
We had this one for dinner one night

Alan trying his luck with the fly rod
It was slow going in the morning

Diane trying not to fall in
The water was really cold but felt good under the heavy waders

Robert and Willow
They were so patient with us rookies!

Rio Grande Forest
Proof that we REALLY WERE in the Wilderness!

Still trying to land the big one
Dogged determination seen here

Diane fiddling with her line
or something.....

Willow watching the action
0r lack of action, as it were

Lunch Break
Nothing like a nice log to sit on and contemplate our lack of success so far

Attractive waders, huh?
Diane, the fashion plate

Success!
finally, a real fish

If you look real hard
in the interest of full disclosure, Diane actually caught two fish and two got away

A good fishing hole
It sure was pretty out there

Exhausted!
Had to take a load off after a long day of fishing

Diane cooling off her tootsies
Back at the trailhead, off with the waders and into the ice-cold water -- aahhh!