A bunch of high country trips across the west! REALLY LONG< LOTS OF PICS

[fourbizz]

Well, I'm finally getting around to sharing the past month or so of fishing with you guys. Havent touched a bass rod in a couple of months, but have spent some time chasing some high altitude trout.

I went to New Mexico and Colorado for a family reunion at the beginning of the month.

I spent one morning fishing Eagle Nest Lake, near Angel Fire, New Mexico for shallow water rainbows picking off damselflies. Had a hell of a time getting bit, they were really skittish, but finally landed this one.

Spent the next few days in NM fishing the Cimmaron river using Flechero's custom built 4 weight. Man what a sweet rod. Spanked the hell out of Brown and Rainbow trout up to 16", averaging about 10. Smaller fish, but out of a tiny, gorgeous little river like that, I was in heaven.

Check out this guy. I really think he suffers from some sort of dwarfism.

After New Mexico, I went to my home town in Colorado and did some fishing in the area. The lakes on our new cabin property have stud 'bows, but I lost the only big one I had on. Around 4 lbs probably.

View of the Great Sand Dunes from the property

After that, I spent an hour fishing my uncles property on the Rio Grande for big carp. It was pretty fun, just sight fishing them with a large nymph. Got a couple and lost one. Pretty sporty fish on the fly rod.

The next day we went up to the property that my other aunt and uncle care take. Their house sits at 9,800 feet and has two lakes with some of the gnarliest, most athletic chunker bows you have ever seen. The lower lake is full of fathead minnows, and that is why it has the bigger fish. Caught 4 or 5 that evening on streamers, including a 21.5" chunk.

The next morning I struggled to get bit at the lower lake, so I went to check up the upper lake. Much to my joy, there were nice size bows cruising around picking caddisflies off the surface. DRY FLY TIME! I spent the next few hours just punishing fish, probably got 25 or 30 on dries and streamers. My mom took some awesome shots with her DSLR too. Great, great times.

Then on Thursday, Brannus04 and I did a backpacking trip into the Mokolumne Wilderness in Northern California to chase our first Golden Trout. I have tried unsuccessfully in the past to get one, so I was really charged try again.

It was about a 6 mile hike, not to bad with 35lb packs. I had to take Vicodin to get me through the hike, as I have been having some hip problem.

Front Yard:

Right out the back door of camp:

After years of chasing after one, I finally got my first Volcano Creek Golden Trout, which in my opinion is the most beautiful fish in freshwater. And for it's species, it was a big one. I cannot tell you how stoked I was guys. I have caught 10lb largemouth that didnt get me as charged as this fish did.

Caught a few other Goldens and a couple Lahontan Cutthroat. One cutt was 20 inches and a pretty impressive high country fish in my opinion! The other one was amazingly dark.

I've definitely had a ton of fun on my break from bass fishing, and I'm gonna keep going into the hills, but I'm starting to hear those big largemouth calling me again!

[tallydude]

Bizz, these are GREAT pics and it's a great story. Congratulations on making me instantly jealous.

[aarogb]

    Those are some great fish fourbizz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I see you are wearing that UNC hat.  Did you go to school there or something?

[Paul Roberts]

Wonderful trip! Thanks for sharing it.

[gator1968]

Nice pics! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a good time.

[flechero]

Great fish and pretty country!!!  Wish I was there!  (our "cold" front dropped it to 99 degrees...   :-/ )

[nUgZ]

Wow!!  I'm super jealous.  I love trout fishing, but I have too many bass, crappie, and monster sunfish right by me to warrant driving an hour and a half to catch trout.  Great shots and some even better fish!

[Micro]

WOW!  Great post!

[fourbizz]

Thanks all, I had a good time.

Keith, I hear you on the heat, its made it up to 107 official here today.

[flechero]

What kind of temps did you have up by the alpine lakes?  

[fourbizz]

It was probably 80 at the lake we got the goldens out of.

[flechero]

It was probably 80 at the lake we got the goldens out of.

Nice, that's almost chilly by comparison!

[5bass]

Those trout are beautiful. Thanks for the great post!

[bassman31783]

Absolutely beautiful pics my man.  What an awesome post.

[Dan:]

wow. what a rewarding view and experience for such a long hike. I am still learning to cast with my fly rod but I would love to be able to make a California mountain trout trip sometime before I die.

[1inStripes]

Great job fourbizz.  

[UrbanRedneck]

I've definitely had a ton of fun on my break from bass fishing, and I'm gonna keep going into the hills, but I'm starting to hear those big largemouth calling me again!

Youve always got a home waiting for you in the world of big bass. Everybody needs a break every now and then.  Excellent post, Im stoked for you!

[Daniel A.]

Amazing pics, fourbizz. That's some beautiful country.

[Daniel My Brother]

Great post. Very entertaining read and pictures.

[shaw24]

Wow simply amazing. You don't know how BAD I want to do this. Thanks for the pics - I really enjoyed them.

[roadwarrior]

WOW! Great post!

Beautiful country, too!

8-)

[Bankbeater]

Those pics are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[Tokyo Tony]

fourbizz - great pictures man. That is some seriously beautiful country out there, and I don't think you could have done it all any better.

[DRhodes]

great pics, it looks like you had a hell of a time.

Thanks for sharing.

[Mattlures]

What an awsome trip! screw bass! So How much are you gonna charge me and 2 buddies to  guied us for some big mulies and Bulls!! Then you can take to chase trout afterwards. Serious offer.

Thanks for all those pics. Its cool seeing the different coloration. Those bows seem very silvery pale.