With only a couple of weeks left in the short fishing season for this special little creek, we braved the road and make the tough little hike. Snow on Mt. Graham made for a scenic approach and the numerous willows only made it more satisfying when I caught my first Gila Trout. I never touched or took it out of the water and was very lucky that stayed in the slower water long enough for me to get a couple of pictures. A very healthy, plump fish. I lost another one and we spent the rest of our time exploring to see how many pools were fish-worthy. Dead fall and thick willows on almost every pool mean the majority of these fish will lead unmolested lives. It was so nice to break in my Shakespeare Diana 6 1/2 rod (it will be restored to original colors later this year) and my Daisy Heddon Reel matched nicely. My special thanks to my fishing buddy Rod McLeod who led me in and actually was part of the team that helped stock these threatened fish into the stream 5 years ago!
It was time for a quick getaway and rain in the recent weeks meant water should be flowing into this small lake just 30 minutes from my house. It was, it was also cool and breezy. Despite the bright sun, I could see my breath most of the day. The fish were not working at the inflow, so I scouted the south shoreline. Saw a few working and brought in my first fish of the season (a brown, they get a bit bigger each year). Have to love technology, 45 minutes earlier I was printing my fishing license. I was the only one on the lake, and the view was so nice that I stopped to eat and just take in the views. I could tell the fish were starting to get a bit more active as it warmed, but decided to hike out and get down the mountain, there were scones to be made!
