Decent Day Descending To The Blue In My Back Yard 17Aug23

It was cool to be back on home waters - I ventured north a few miles to fish the tailwaters of the Green Mtn Rez on the Blue River. We call it Jurassic Pk as to its lack of development or trail maintenance... not that it is undiscovered however. Flows were a decent ~400cfs today so somewhat approachable to a wader like me but 8 cars were in the lot at 9:45am. I crossed and re-crossed but it was not easy. It was worthwhile though as I nabbed my first fish, a good ~20" cutbow on the perdigon (last one I own after losing my mayflies ~ and unfortunately he wrecked it) at nearly the last downstream tongue I fish in this section of the river... probably 1.25mi downstream from put-in. Nice. Of course I'm thinking "epic" as I seem to be alone down here, but then I recall the parking lot with 8 cars and my actually being questioned for licensing for the first time in Colorado. Kid was nice and knew a guy with a GR8F!sh Crusher, rod racks, and 3 CO fishing passes in the window would have a $10 senior license. I was compliant but needed to take the eventful pic. Plus, then, a guy walks upstream on the opposite bank. NP, the RFT5 fought bravely and won.

The day played out warmish with infrequent cloudation or human encounters actually ~ but lots of fish. It was a mayfly birthing day with green drakes, gingers, PMDs, and even early fall BWOs observed... I could muster precious little to mimic righteously with my mayflies gone. I really need to get tying. I tied on a royal chubby (thinking it might be a mocking of green drake dry ~ not like my own perfection but possible) with BH caddis droppers and emerger midge as trailer). WTF, they somewhat worked! I caught a lot of browns on this rig, especially the chubby, and others scored too. I caught one more decent 'bow on a BWO-ish midge and a good (for here)  strong 17" German brown with a kid watching just above me as I discussed the "luck" of the day. He was squirming, the brown I mean. Heh heh.

This is a great fishery and despite the dog days of summer, it is finally low enough to wade. I caught some bugs on a daisy and capped the day with a keen offer from Nederland, CO... you know my preference for DDHs, so Intense Delight is right on the mark.

Andy's been fishing too and since he doesn't post I will boast on him landing a fatty at the Mt Massive club. Nice.