First Trip of the Year

Hi All,

SO… our first day of the season is in the books.. And it was great!

Now let me explain great… One of my folks was back for his fourth trip and instead of Brother Scott I got the fun and pretty Gabriela as Brad’s partner. Really nice folks to spend a day in the boat with…. A little sun on the cheeks, waterfowl pairing up, deer, mink and even a Bob Cat which I’ll talk about later….. Any way a pleasant day on the Platte.

The fishing was great…. What I mean by great is we didn’t put tons of fish in the boat, but we did put a big Bow that was closer to 25” than he was to 20”.. A handsome boy fish far along on his recovery from the spawn. And two other fish.

So only three fish in the boat with a half a dozen other close calls and it was great? You bet. Spring on a freestone river depends on sun during the day and it still staying cold in the mountains. Even with that the water will be cold and the fish a little slow but…. It’s a nice time to get the rust off and catch a big fish. The pressure has been light, the fish are hungry and if you keep at it the chances of catching a fish like Brad’s big Bow are pretty good. And regardless where you’re fishing a 25” Rainbow is a large fish… a very large fish.

Also for me as a guide if the first day we just slayed them it kind of puts a kink in your psyche for the season …. You always want to slay them, you know it’s not always going to happen, so a slow day with a big fish is a cool way to get the motor warmed up for the season…… Somehow tempering expectations….. who knows Ken and Bob showing up next weekend might slay them and also see a mountain lion!

Speaking of felines…. We had just released our first fish of the day and everyone’s spirits were high when Gabriela told us we were being watched. On a sheer cliff, about 40 yards away, in a little cave, a Bob Cat was taking in the action. In all my years out and about I’ve only seen two, both times while fishing, both times on the Cheeseman Canyon stretch of the South Platte, and both time for just a brief flash…. You knew it wasn’t a neighbors overgrown tabby, too feral and quick, but I never got to watch and enjoy them for more than a split second. This little beauty was comfy, warm and safe and was content to stare us down from his or her little sanctuary. A rare bonus for us all!

So enjoy the pics of the Bow and Kitty and we look forward to seeing you on the river. Time to clean the boat, refill the fly boxes and welcome Ken and Bob for their first trip with us.

All the best,
Mitch
Harrison’s Guest House & Guide Service 307 326 6079