Tuesday, January 18, 2011

‘bout time

Just something about battling these super fabulous fin slappers that makes me smile. But lately the less than average fish size has turned my shameless fish bragging into tales of “ho-hum”. Just to add a triple scoop of frustration, one of my trips had to be cancelled due to a big fat blizzard that sat down right on top of my fish planning. Instead of doing the early morning gear up I found myself angrily gnawing on a chunk of frustration.

With determination and low expectations the trout bag and one rod is tossed into the truck to play a little slip\slide on the metro scene. I am looking for any open lake or a river section that can be fished. Eventually the truck is pulled into the parking area with only one car shrouded in nearly half a foot of snow. No tracks from human or animal meant zero fishing pressure. At least I have that and a pound or two of flurries falling from the sky. Staring at the one spot of open water I cast across the pool to run the flat to instantly get a solid hit. The hit was so strong the lure stopped entirely making me think for a moment that it was merely a snag.

“Probably a dumb rock.” I say with my focus more on the surrounding winter wonderland than the water. The rod tip bends over and the pole tries to leap from my hands. “Hey…that’s a fish!!!”

Standing on less than secure footing I am a bit frantic as to how and where to land this amazing cutbow trout (hybrid of rainbow and cutthroat trout). Tossing all fear of hypothermia and frostbite aside, I step my boots into the water to land this fish as gently as possible. The area is thick with trees and the camera is set precariously on a snow-covered rock. Grab the shot and hope it turns out. Not enough room for anything more and the importance of getting this fish back into the water quickly is paramount.

Feet soaking wet I toss out a few more casts and then head back to the truck before the digits turn blue. Waders might have made a difference but the least of my concerns at this point. What matters most is that finally I land a trout that is worth bragging up on the blogilicious. Starting 2011 with a catch like this is fairly huge for me. Finally the pressure is off a little bit and folks see that I do actually catch a decent fish once in a while. On the way home all I could manage to say…” ’bout time!!!”

Where did I catch this fish? Answer: In the water. That is where I catch all of my fish. What did I catch this fish on? A lure borrowed from Don. Pure gold.

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.

18 comments:

MNAngler said...

Gorgeous fish, Matt. Congratulations!

FISH TALES said...

shameless envy! nice..

Dog Hair in my Coffee said...

Wait, wait - digits turning blue? And this is FUN to you? You, sir, are a sick gentleman!! Keep on fishin'! :)

sage said...

Nice fish, I'm cold just looking at the picture!

Bigerrfish said...

Well well, I didnt know Colorado has fish like that to be had in the winter. I thought they hibernated.

Good Job Matt!

Mark Kautz said...

Matt, I know exactly how you feel, landing that big one as your "first" of the year. Well done.

Mark

cofisher said...

Nice work Matt! I know the fish are there, I just never knew anyone who would go to such lengths to get one.

baitcasting combos said...

Way to go Matt. I'm happy for you that you were able to start the year off with such a great looking catch. The picture is perfect. It sure looks cold. I'm in St. Louis Missouri and its been cold here also. They are talking on the news right now about 6" of snow coming tomorrow evening. I have yet to brave the cold to go out and cast my line. I've got to say though, the more of these posts I read and pictures I see of people like you going out and catching these fish in this kind of weather really gets me wanting to try it. Thanks for the post. Great catch!

Anonymous said...

Yup, the fingers look a bit frozen, Matt. Great trout to kick off 2011.

Coloradocasters said...

Thank you so much for the comments! When it comes to fishing in the cold I have developed a mind over matter philosophy. As long as I am catching fish I don’t mind the cold and nothing else matters.

I urge great caution when fishing extreme conditions as the chances for disaster multiply. Blizzard fishing is not for everyone and I am thankful to make it back with my body and vehicle in one piece.

Covnitkepr1 said...

Really nice fish.
I have added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit my blog and become a follower also.

The Sowbug said...

Oddly enough have landed some of the bigger trout during the cold weather months round here in the strangest places... Nice!

Covnitkepr1 said...

Just came back to take another look at that fish...NICE

FortCollinsAngler said...

That's a nice fish, I'm super jealous way to go.

Justin Mayer said...

I know almost nothing about trout (unless your talking about a speckled trout) but i do know that you have to be a hardcore dude to fish in weather like that. Major props for the chilly fishing! Most of my best catches are on the least comfortable days.

Unknown said...

You put in the time for this guy. Beauty of a catch. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

NICE FISH! I am loving the look on your face, too! I hope to catch something half that size when I come out to Denver this year for the OBN Convention. You've heard about that right? Poor fish. They'll have so much fun rejecting my flies they'll probably laugh so hard they'll drown.

Enjoyin' the blog! Keep up the great posts!

Coloradocasters said...

@Southernblueridge: The OBN get together is here in Denver? I guess I did miss that announcement. Are Mattsabassers invited? Guess I better go over there and get the details.