Considering that April 27 is fast approaching and we're all waiting on baited breath...yea I know it's a terrible pun...I thought I share a report from earlier this week. Hope it inspires you all who are heading to the Sierras this weekend!
Work had me scheduled to be in CO for a week of meetings starting Monday. So, like any good cabin-fever laden, anxious, and antsy fly-addict there was no way I was going to fly. Not when I would be passing waters that hold Bonneville Cutts, Colorado River Cutts, and potentially Rio Grande Cutts (depending on just how much driving I felt like doing). I packed my setup and my wife and I headed East. The plan was to fish part of Utah on the way out for Bonneville Cutts. I settled on a watershed known to hold remnant fish that has been classified by the “authorities” as a future stocking strain. Regardless the excursion was fantastic.
We drove as deep as we could into the range on the dirt roads and then hit the “trail” to find the water. Trail is a generous term in this case the path was overgrown and on more than one occasion I found myself crawling on my stomach to reach the creek. It was small but beautiful. The trees were concentrated, the brush tight, and the water #$@$%@ cold! Seriously. Look at my hands in some of the photos. There was no color correction there. They were pink and numb...no complaints here. With the runoff really building, the water levels were high and the flows fast. Though no too fast. Large boulders created pools and runs and the trout were lining up for whatever came their way.
Utah Creek & Pool by jimtheflyguy, on Flickr
As you can see, once on the fish, they were not shy. I hooked up on just about every cast. I felt a couple fish in particular deserved a mug shot for their beauty and contrast.
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout by jimtheflyguy, on Flickr
Bonneville Cutthroat Belly by jimtheflyguy, on Flickr
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout by jimtheflyguy, on Flickr
Bonneville Cutthroat Gill Plate by jimtheflyguy, on Flickr
