Spring inches closer....

 Colorado weather changes rapidly.  60’s last week, snow again today.  A snowy day causes me to look through the collection of photos I have taken.  Photos help me remember the great times I’ve experienced with friends and exploring the outdoors while fly fishing.  Here are a few photos I took last summer which help me think of the coming spring.

 

A lake full of fish starting to wake up in the morning mist...

 

Iced over now, the lake will return to this in a few weeks.

 

Ice Fishing

I don't ice fish.  I enjoy fishing through the winter when there is open water, but drilling a hole in the ice and sitting on a frozen lake does not really appeal to me.  Don't get me wrong, in a way, that seems like an interesting way to fish.  But I really enjoy the active part of the flyfishing experience.  I imagine some of my buddies could figure out a way to fish their Tenkara rods in a tiny little ice hole, but I will stick to the open water in a stream.

When I awoke yesterday morning, it was a brisk 8 below zero.  Winter is beautiful in Colorado, and when there is no open water I like to snowshoe in the powder, and even ski once a year.  But around late January I really start looking forward to spring, and the thaw before the runoff begins.

The Denver Fly Fishing Show

Since the speed limit was posted at 75mph, in theory I watched a green mile marker whiz by every 1.25 minutes while headed southbound on I-25.  I was headed to the Fly Fishing Show in Denver.  Fresh coffee was in a cardboard cup in the center console of my vehicle, and the drive gave me time to think about the upcoming season.

The Denver Fly Fishing show is scheduled right after the holidays end.  It is really the perfect time, since the twinkling of the Christmas lights have dimmed into the dark, cold days of January.  The Show is the perfect way to start the new year of fly fishing.  It is a great place to kick the tires on new gear, watch fly tying experts, and meet with other people that are passionate about this great sport we enjoy.

As the mile markers sped past, I thought of the great fishing trips of 2012.  I was pretty fortunate, and had spent time in Montana, Gunnison, and explored new, but local waters.  However, due to a busy work schedule, and the fire in the Poudre Canyon, I hadn’t fished as much as I had wanted to.  My hope is that 2013 will bring even more opportunity to fish local waters, and to travel and explore other locations.  If you are reading this, you know that fly fishing is an experience involving much more than just catching a fish.

The Show was heavily attended, and seemed to have even more displays and vendors than in the past.  I don’t know if that is accurate, but it sure seemed right to me.  I wore two items that represented friends in the industry, the latest edition TFM shirt sent to me by Morty Mortenson of thefiberglassmanifesto.com, and a hat with the Montana Troutaholic logo, given to me by Joel Thompson, the owner of that outfitter.  Joel is a great guy, and one of the best guides in Montana.  I highly recommend him if you are looking for a Montana guide.  Check out his website at www.montanatroutaholics.com.

Morty Mortenson has built thefiberglassmanifesto.com into a media empire through hard work, dedication, and a passion for the sport.  Wearing a TFM shirt at an event like this makes it clear how many people read his blog.  Walking around, I was constantly approached by people who made positive remarks about the blog, and what he has done for the industry, especially in the area of fiberglass fly rods.  Morty is a great friend, and is a tremendous ambassador for those who enjoy fiberglass fly rods.

While walking around, I ran into several people that I know, including Howard Levett, who was sporting a TFM shirt as well.  There are a lot of great people associated with the industry, and it is always fun catching up with them.  I had a chance to meet Juan Ramirez, a gifted fly tyer who publishes www.hopperjuan.blogspot.com.

The last part of the visit to the show was spent hanging out with my good friend Al, who publishes a new blog, www.noconympher.blogspot.com.  If you have spent any time with him, you know what a great nymph fisherman he is.  His blog does a great job of breaking down techniques that he employs to catch a ton of fish.  Obviously, you won’t have as much fun as catching them with a big dry fly, but you will catch a lot of trout!

During the drive home, I noticed that the mile markers only went by every 1.08 minutes.  I had a great time, and really didn’t want to leave.

Happy New Year! BDF in 2013

Greetings! I hope that you all had a fantastic holiday season. Today was spent taking down the Christmas decorations and spending time with family.

My hope for BDF in 2013 is to have regular postings. I was not very good at keeping up in 2012, but that does not mean there was not a lot of great fishing trips, and gear reviews. I will catch us up on some of those events.

For now, let's appreciate the good of the last year, and look forward to a new year spent fly fishing new locations, and spending time with friends and family. While this photo would look a bit more different (icy!) right now, I think it nicely sums up the possibilities ahead.