Arkansas River

A Weekend Off

July 18, 2016 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

We start west of the divide where we battled obnoxious road construction and sweltering heat to spend the night below a run in the bowels of a canyon of the Blue River.

Not Sure About the Look

If you have never rowed a raft full of overnight gear let me tell you that you have a real treat in your future. The raft handled like you had an elephant in the back and within the first mile I already had a new found respect for drivers of Grand Canyon cargo boats. The campsite was a few short miles from the put in and was framed by two perfect runs and an elevated (and flat) campsite.

Pulled Over at Camp

Kitchen

The next morning we had leftover carnitas with corn tortillas, ibuprofen, and lukewarm water before we packed the elephant back into the back of the raft. The second day was focused on trying to fish a little bit instead of just getting the gear to the river. The run above camp held a few fish that were eager to share breakfast with their upright walking land lovers.

Breakfast Companion

We threw some streamers, polished off the rest of the beer, and enjoyed a hot summer day. Most of all I was able to listen to Wells tell me about every bend on the river and how it had changed over the last 20 years. Wells informed me that he had floated this stretch 10-15 times/year since 1996 and if you know this stretch and the logistical nightmare it poses then you will know what kind of feat that is.

Brown on the Ranch

The Master in the Canyon

Float over, boat on trailer, wheels up, over the divide we go until we end up in Salida. We now have a circus of people, some from as far away as South Carolina ready to experience the Arkansas River in all its grandeur. The day began as most days do on my boat, with a Bud Light Lime to get things started. You know that it is getting serious when you drink a beer that has to tell you it has alcohol in it.

This is Beer

Of course after “BLL” you can start to lose your coordination, potentially endangering the lives of not only your crew, but also the fish.

Grip n’ Grin

As we floated through downtown we met a very enthusiastic young man who was eager to show us his cowboy. We gave him a target, the kid just needs some more practice.

Rope Work

The Spinner Brings them In

The Hayden Pass fire had started on Saturday and by Sunday the smoke was visible from Salida. Tuesday brought even larger clouds of smoke and a faint smell of burning pine in the air. Reminded me of summers in Montana.

Hayden Pass Fire

The Last Floats of Spring

May 16, 2016 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

The rains and cooler weather delayed the inevitable just long enough to get a few more days on the water before the push began. Finding participants wasn’t hard, and one of them even provided me with an excuse to get a free hall pass from work. The Arkansas River was holding well, while the Colorado was proving to be much more impatient than her easterly flowing partner. Day one had weather whose intentions looked nefarious to say the least, and eventually we would fall victim to those intentions. Before all of that, the streamer fishing would take center stage, and specifically those streamers of the olive variety.

Olive

Not long after this wonderful moment a massive storm front came sweeping over the Collegiate Peaks. We turned around in time to see the whitecaps racing downstream towards us. We got to shore just as the winds picked up, snapping a mature tree in half across the river from our location.

You Have to Be “This Far” Away to Avoid the Lightning.

Nick was clearly the more experienced outdoorsmen of my two companions, as he found refuge away from the sleet and hail to finish his beer.

A More Experienced Participant

We floated into town as I wanted to show my guests the best sandwich on Colorado which is served exclusively at the Boathouse Cantina. It is known as the Green Chili Cheddar BLT, but the red sauce they finish the sandwich with gives it real depth of flavor. Sorry, I was too hungry to take a picture but rest assured you have to get one if you’re there.

The second day we floated further downstream, requiring Nick to hitchhike and me to rig the boat all by myself. Mission Accomplished. Before I had even finished stringing the rods I saw him walking down the boat ramp, grinning from ear to ear. He hadn’t been gone 20 minutes but he had used his incredible personality to score a ride from the first person he saw.

Complete with the Bud Light Lime

Fishing was even better on this stretch and to slow ourselves down we even nymphed a few holes to up our catch rates for our friends at home. Streamers still ruled the day and quite frankly I’d rather see fish trying to eat my streamer than see my indicator go under.

White For This One

As we neared the end of our journey an unfortunate gust of wind took the fly into the front anglers tricep muscle. I hurriedly captained us to shore where I was able to come up with the solution for my friends ailment. With the barb intact I assured him that a quick jerk would free the hook from his arm and pain would not have to be a consideration. Counting to the number “3” I pulled the hook from his arm after the number 2. Screams were heard all around Cotapaxi as my friend writhed in anguish from the delicate hook that was artfully removed from his arm.

The Hook Drew Blood

Just two days removed from our time on the river and it appears the levels are rising considerably. They will, by most estimations, continue that trend for the next several weeks until the high level snowpack is reduced. I’ll be waiting it out and catching the river again on the down swing.

The Maiden Voyage(s)

July 21, 2015 by n.taylor Leave a Comment

You can argue length, tube size, rocker, and obviously brand, but for me the choice was easy. An Aire 130R fit the bill for what we needed in a boat.

130R

Her maiden voyages included the Eagle, Colorado, Gunnison, and the Arkansas. While rain haunted us most evenings, only the Colorado was threatening but clear as dusk approached.

Evening on the Colorado

The Eagle’s evening storm was relentless. Pounding the crew with rain and hail with strong gusts of wind pushing us back to the put in. As the sun disappeared and the rain subsided, the clouds of mosquitos engulfed the swarms of baetis and caddis. Armed with headlamps to get us home, we stayed out late, getting every fish that would rise during the celebrated “magic hour” on the Eagle.

Lightning on the Eagle

Evening Dry Flies

After an early morning and a late night few restaurants are open past midnight, and even fewer in the mountains. One such restaurant exists in the town of Minturn boasting a famous Reuben sandwich. Legendary they told us it was, and it was indeed the best any of us had ever eaten. Magusto’s Reuben sandwich was simply fantastic.

Magustos Reuben

While most trips are judged by the amount of large fish put in front of a lens, the fact is every trip is full of less than desirable specimens. Those on board the red boat are humble enough to showcase some of our more modest accomplishments.

An Angler’s Average

One thing learned over time is that fishing from a boat is different than working a bank on foot. Our crew had neither the patience nor the desire to throw an indicator and instead opted for streamers and topwater. Few methods of fishing are as rewarding or exciting as throwing streamers along a bank from a casting platform. Repeatedly thrashing tandem streamers against a bank will eventually reward the angler with that perfectly aggressive predatory response.

Predatory Eater

A Shore Stalker

Boufaces

As night fell for the last time we gave homage to the Angling Gods for their generosity on our adventure. Until we meet again…

Tribute to the Gods