http://youtu.be/fatN_uN-29A

One of my favorite quotes of all time from “Rivers of the Lost Coast.”

“When you hold a wild steelhead in your hand, and you’re the kind of person that hasn’t given up their original spirit to the narcotics of civilized routine, and you are there with that fish, you are getting something you can’t get any other way.”

– Lani Waller from the incredible documentary, “Rivers of the Lost Coast” about the collapse of the NorCal salmon and steelhead fishery due to habitat degredation, overfishing (sadly), and a series of natural disasters/floods that combined for a perfect storm of destruction.

Threatened bull trout -- released unharmed of course (like the others)

This was from my annual November trip with Gary Hager in central Oregon on the Deschutes.  Big ‘bows, a rare bull and a hooked (but lost) steelhead were the call of the day.  I smiled all the way there in anticipation and all the way back in afterglow.

A Happy Gary

Amazing what you can find….

The Bull Trout/Char....

Scott Hill at Mesa Verde National Park (near Durango, CO) - Cliff Palace Anasazi site

Scott Hill (my best man) and friend from 1st grade and I had a men’s weekend/mancation down in Durango, CO.The explorations in Mesa Verde, Durango, Silverton and Ouray were incredible. We packed a lot into just a few days.On my last day there, we had to get up very early to get Scott on a hideous 6 AM flight to the East Coast. I picked up my 49th state (in New Mexico) during a quick roadtrip with Amber’s cousin, Tom Yoder and his boys. He and his wife live with the boys in Mancos, CO (very near Durango).Also, no one told me that the scene in Durango for Halloween was so “off the hook.” We just lucked into seeing it. I’ve never seen so many D&D calls. The DPD was very busy on the Saturday just prior to Halloween.

Durango – October 2011, posted with vodpod

Seth @ Mesa VerdeClimbing out of Ouray toward Red Mountain PassScott dropping into a kivaAlpenglow and trying to get over the twistiest part of the gnarly pass between Ouray and Silverton before full dark.

A bird in the hand is.... priceless.

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I think the Chukar should be renamed “The Devil’s Bird” based on the steep, steep habitat they prefer.  Great hunt.  Conditioning paid off.  Need to lose some lbs before hauling myself around those crags next season.  Good motivation.

Another big trout falling prey to the egg pattern

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