Big Skyz
09-08-2015, 09:55 AM
With a 7 mile round trip of hiking in mostly steep country, I did question my sanity a time or two as to whether I really needed to be chasing rainbows and gold colored spawning West Slope Cutthroat trout. However the fishing was so good, I quickly decided that yes indeed I was sane and the effort was worth it.
Here is one of the few level spots on the trail.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/TrailB_zpsl6dqbexe.jpg
One the way in I ran across this fresh track that reminded me I was not alone.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Bear%20Track%209-7-15_zpsqxh1lprb.jpg
On my very first cast this beautifully marked chunky little rainbow hit.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Rainbow%209-7-15A_zpsqr2xu18b.jpg
He was followed by countless West Slope cutthroat like this one. I honestly lost count of how many of these feisty little fish I caught.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Cutthroat%209-7-15A_zps7zinzgr9.jpg
The creek was tiny and crystal clear. It was hard to not spook fish. I only caught two rainbow trout, but this second one was pretty darn decent considering the tiny skinny water I was fishing. He measured right at 15.25".
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Rainbow%209-7-15B%2015.25%20inches_zpsbfxxn1kx.jpg
I knew when I saw this hole that it would produce.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/CreekB_zpswcote6hk.jpg
It took my a couple of cast to get my presentation just right, but once I did, it produced one of the prettiest cutthroats I've ever seen.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Cutthroat%209-7-15J_zpsw75rlhsl.jpg
Eventually I knew I had to leave and make the long steep ascent back out. I decided to catch one more fish and then go. This pretty little cutthroat obliged me.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Cutthroat%209-7-15D_zps62vmsrhv.jpg
I huffed and I puffed, I berated myself for not losing that 30 lbs I'd promised myself I would. My legs and lungs burned, but finally I reached the top of the summit and new I was going to be okay because the remainder of the hike would be down hill. About 250 yards from the truck I turned around and took one last photo of the trail that led me to great fishing I had just experienced.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/TrailA_zpsrszvtv9l.jpg
As I turned back around I heard a rustle in the tree near me and saw this little fellow bidding me a farewell. All I can say is, WHAT A GREAT TRIP!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Red%20Squirrel%209-7-15_zpsefycanux.jpg
Here is one of the few level spots on the trail.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/TrailB_zpsl6dqbexe.jpg
One the way in I ran across this fresh track that reminded me I was not alone.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Bear%20Track%209-7-15_zpsqxh1lprb.jpg
On my very first cast this beautifully marked chunky little rainbow hit.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Rainbow%209-7-15A_zpsqr2xu18b.jpg
He was followed by countless West Slope cutthroat like this one. I honestly lost count of how many of these feisty little fish I caught.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Cutthroat%209-7-15A_zps7zinzgr9.jpg
The creek was tiny and crystal clear. It was hard to not spook fish. I only caught two rainbow trout, but this second one was pretty darn decent considering the tiny skinny water I was fishing. He measured right at 15.25".
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Rainbow%209-7-15B%2015.25%20inches_zpsbfxxn1kx.jpg
I knew when I saw this hole that it would produce.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/CreekB_zpswcote6hk.jpg
It took my a couple of cast to get my presentation just right, but once I did, it produced one of the prettiest cutthroats I've ever seen.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Cutthroat%209-7-15J_zpsw75rlhsl.jpg
Eventually I knew I had to leave and make the long steep ascent back out. I decided to catch one more fish and then go. This pretty little cutthroat obliged me.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Troy%20Cutthroat%209-7-15D_zps62vmsrhv.jpg
I huffed and I puffed, I berated myself for not losing that 30 lbs I'd promised myself I would. My legs and lungs burned, but finally I reached the top of the summit and new I was going to be okay because the remainder of the hike would be down hill. About 250 yards from the truck I turned around and took one last photo of the trail that led me to great fishing I had just experienced.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/TrailA_zpsrszvtv9l.jpg
As I turned back around I heard a rustle in the tree near me and saw this little fellow bidding me a farewell. All I can say is, WHAT A GREAT TRIP!
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh113/Huntzz/Red%20Squirrel%209-7-15_zpsefycanux.jpg