Wednesday, April 30, 2008

My office


Tuesdays normally mean that I'm inside working all day at the shop. From doing inventory to the after school kids climbing program, my day is packed full of tasks. Yesterday was a great exception to normal procedures. Two clients and I spent about eight hours fishing the Big T, Glacier Creek, and the Upper Big T. An eight hour guide trip can get a little long, but we had a blast. Starting at about 9:30 a.m., we headed down the canyon in pursuit of browns and rainbows. About six fish later we had covered about 100 yards of river in about two hours. The weather shifted and we headed up to the park for lunch, and casting instruction. It's quite rewarding when you have beginners learning to cast and catch fish on their own. Although I do help with a lot of the technical aspects of casting, both clients did a great job! The afternoon was then spent back on the Big T, where we experienced some rising trout to midges and B.W.O's. This is always a great time because we get to fish the dry fly! A few more fish and some more casting instruction and our day was done. I feel privileged to say that my "office" is on the river for the next four months. Enjoy the pics from the day.

Cheers, AJ

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Durango is coming!

In a few short weeks, a friend and I will head south to Durango,CO. There we will spend four days fishing three quality fisheries. The San Juan, Animas, and Pine rivers all hold quality trout water and big fish. Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to fish these waters and it seems that this spring will bring high/clear water. Big streamers is the name of the game and Matt and I will be fishing just that. Matt is a beginner angler with hopes of being educated in the art of tying and fishing big streamers. The boys at Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co., in DePere, WI taught me a lot about chasing big fish with big flies. The excitement grows as I anticipate catching a 20" plus fish. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I reside in Estes Park, CO. The summers here are very busy and to sneak out of town for a few days is always refreshing. Thanks Jen!!!!! Over this past week I starting moving forward with getting First Adventure registered as a business in Colorado. This is excited news for Jen and I as we hope to pursue this full-time in the next few years. Starting and operating my own business will be challenging, but I truly feel it will be the most fulfilling pursuit I've ever embarked on. I will keep you guys up to date as things progress. It's my Monday today and in a few weeks I will be in the drivers seat on my way to big fish and another amazing landscape!

Cheers, AJ

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Early Morning




I truly enjoy days off. This morning I decided to get up at around 5:30 a.m. to explore some new fishing water. According to a good source (Jim Othrow, 74 year old fishing ninja!) there is some good fishing water to be had on Cub Creek in RMNP. The park purchased this property from a private rancher about fifteen years ago. The creek is full of undercuts and nice beaver ponds where brookies and browns like to feed and hide during the summer months. This morning did not bring much fish because of low water level and top ice, but I'm sure in the next few weeks we will see Cub Creek at its finest! I met up with Mr. Othrow to fish the Big T. We headed down about four miles and had a very successful morning, full of nice browns and rainbows. Sow bugs were the ticket this morning, with the occasional strike on a surf ice B.W.O.. The Big T is starting to experience it's annual spring runoff. With higher water levels and more traffic, the Thompson is a river that needs to be fished early and aggressively. It's always nice fishing with another individual. My times on the water with other friends and fellow anglers is much more gratifying than a day on my own. At times we all need "our" time, but the building of relationships is much more important in this life. I was talking with Jen (my wife) the other day about how I hope I never become a selfish angler. We all know of these individuals. Individuals who hold their hobbies above other priorities. These individuals have placed so much weight on their hobby experience and hardly none on who it affects and for what reasons it might affect them. Fishing for me is my hobby, and as long as I can tie my knots and cast upstream I hope to be angling for many years to come. The Divine gives us a responsibility to maintain quality relationships with those around us. I encourage you to share your hobbies, talents, and abilities with those who can benefit from you.

Cheers,
A.J.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

RMNP Snowshoeing trips


Over the past four years, I've guided clients in Rocky Mountain National Park. The winter season in Estes Park, CO is slow, but the park yields some great opportunities to get out and have some adventures. From winter camping to backcountry snowboarding, I've enjoyed this time of year a lot. Check out some of the photos from last weeks guide trip.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Guiding has arrived!


That is right! The guide season is up and running here in the Rocky Mountains. We have had a lot of great fishing this whole winter and I do believe that things are going to continue moving forward. I have had about five trips this spring and it has been a great experience for not only the clients, but for the guide. Guiding stretches you as an individual. From 6x tippet knots, to clients who can't seem to put one foot in front of the other, my experience as a guide has been very challenging and very rewarding at the same time. May you find these blogs to be good reads and if you have any thoughts, please let me know. Cheers, AJ