Cult of the White Wing at 11Mile 27Apr14

Those who will now be known as the "Cult of the White Wing*" descended on 11 Mile Canyon after a Manningesque audible was made when agreeing the Arki BHSC caddis hatch trip was foiled by an increase to 1100cfs flows (that is, the Arki was blown out). Daryle, Bruce, Jim, Greg and I braved raging winds to make some casts, land some fish, lose some fish, drink awesome IPAs, and share some good times on the South Platte. Daryle joined for Friday and showed us how it was done - in a stellar move, as we pulled into stadium viewing to assess his technique, DD promptly hooked and deftly landed a big fish for us - cool. We dragged the camper into 11 Mile Canyon wondering what "closed" meant on the sign - we discover it meant closed as all the CGs were gated and locked. Undeterred we parked in a picnic spot for jambalaya (yum - thanks Greg) and GR8 beer (thanks Daryle) - JimY joined. We then went to camp in a Natl Forest CG, which was also closed and gated... so we went native on a horrid road but found level land next to a firepit and stopped the insanity - everybody's car navigated the road fine... we did not start the fire there for obvious reasons. The fishing was decent but challenging in 40mph gusting winds (multiple lost hat chases); Sat AM was so brutal that we lunched and split from the prime Spillway area seeking cover downstream. We found it and had a beautiful and mostly productive afternoon starting at the last tunnel and fishing both up and downstream. I had quite a few fish both days with most taking a sparkle RS2 or miracle midge... most were ~14" or so with one 17"er. Sat PM featured a really nice BWO hatch but switching to dry/dropper did not bring fish up for me. The water was gin clear running 100cfs. Daryle ruled Fri PM as mentioned but lost probably the biggest of the weekend; Greg had two good days as expected; Bruce caught 4 fish, including 2 browns on Sat PM.; and Jim had some on (we gotta fix that to keep "the bug" alive). Fajita dinner Sat eve was tasty as were the many varieties of  GR8 IPAs (thanks Jim and Bruce). Bruce made Sun breakfast and we all decided that the snow overnight, howling wind, and 37 degree temps made an early withdrawal the right plan.

He was that close.

* Daryle's Cult of the White Wing feather being held by Dave till next meeting.