Today, after a breakfast of more beans and tortillas, salsa and scrambled eggs Mexican style, we set out on day two of the search for Nelson’s trout. The day started out warm with clear blue skies. Once again I over-packed as we had no idea what to expect weather wise. I’m really glad it was warm and sunny. Through broken English and bad Spanish on Todd’s part, we got the info that the higher up the stream we went the better the fishing. Worms where suggested, as was a Zebco retractable spinning rod, but being the fly fishing purists we are, we used royal humpies and tufted grasshoppers.
We hiked about an hour, fishing riffles and pools along the way and finally made it to the head of the stream with a lovely waterfall in a little canyon.
I’m pretty sure Scott gave me a crappy fly and it was the reason I couldn’t catch a dang thing. Todd of course was pulling them in left, right, and center. Eric landed a large specimen that was a perfect match to the painting we had as a reference. JT was kept busy hopping from pool to pool to film. I gave up and went to do some drawing. Filming was about as successful as the fishing. For me some days you’re the windshield, some days you’re the bug.
Scott came, gathered me up, and gave me his rod. I immediately caught a fish (see, I told you!) that may have been the largest of the day. We continued a day of catch and release, as the Nelson’s trout is rare and the population small. It was fun all around, and as we made our way back downstream the fish became non-existent.
We stopped in the shade for a wonderful lunch and rest before heading back to Mike’s Sky Ranch. Scott, Eric, and I fished along the way and wandered back enjoying the amazing scenery. The evidence of a fire and the renewed growth was inspiring. We waded across the creek and cooled the toes in the rapidly rushing water.
Back at the ranch, Gramps had met a new friend, Ted. Ted is a 76-year-old dirt biker. Yea, I feel like a wimp. He was joined a bit later by three of his buddies who had been at the observatory while Ted waited at Mike’s. When they joined us poolside they started their tales of adventures and it quickly became apparent to Todd and JT that taking their proposed route the next day would be impossible. Ted’s friend, who was undoubtedly the guy with the most experience, looked at them like they were crazy. And trust me if these guys said it was crazy, it was something you should pay attention to. Scott, Todd, and JT hiked up the road a bit after that and made the command decision to change plans. The mother in me was grateful. With two months on the road, unnecessary risks make no sense.
