3 Wt Fun During 11 Mile Canyon Outing 10May23

I headed out to Lk George and turned up 11 Mile Canyon for a fly fishing outing on the S Platte. It is a gorgeous spot and it was in the mid 50°s with still thin ~80cfs flows today; there were 45 cars parked in the canyon (several were climbers though) as I departed at 1pm, to beat any pending precip. I hit the water at 9:45 above the last bridge and used midge rigs all morning, as I didn't see mayflies, though my top weight bug was a mayfly imitation. Despite the flows and crowds, I landed lots of fish, but nothing over 18"; one brown trout and the rest were 'bows. It was a midge morning with Blue Oyster Cult and olive Pop Top taking the bulk of the fish ~ mid-day as I spied a mayfly, the grey RS2 and Destiny's Child did score some fish. The Rodfather RFT3 was excellent ~ so light and fast and shorter than most; it could do no wrong in these waters and was deadly accurate to 40ft... love it. I could see the fish easily still; flows need to be kicked up. Given the crowds I could not fish the excellent highest spot on this tailwater - other good spots too were over-occupied. Anyway, grrr, just a regular Wednesday.

Springtime In The Rockies ~ Summit Stuff Is Cool 05May23-08May23

Kala & I headed to The Nest for chores and outdoor fun this past weekend. We began with plumber appointments ~ don't ask. We are fine though. It was a 1st Friday in Silverthorne and we hit our locals party on the Theater Company grounds as mentioned HERE. On Saturday I did IT chores about the Nest and we hit ORB for May pickup.

On Sunday I hit the Jurassic section of the Blue for the first time this year. It was mobbed with 15 cars in the lots as I arrived at 9:30. Fishing was weak with just a small brown on the day ~ often the best spots were occupied. Kala worked out and did more house chores... thanks.

Breck spring skiing in Whales Tail and Wonderland was awesome on Monday. Though at one point I was bombing through a gate and didn't perceive "the snake," a 6 foot wide ditch I flew across; the far side blew me up with both skis off suddenly ~ I fortunately survived well but did rip my ski pants ~ NP, tenacious tape to the rescue. And, later, a lumbering awakening black bear wandered by the Nest.

Voz came to Summit for chores too and stopped over for some beer & burgers.

1st Friday In May Is For Locals 05May23

It's for locals 'cause it is held during mud season and is a donation-only event supporting local organizations and has a completely community feel. Kala & I came to Summit for the first time in a while... Happy Cinco de Mayo! We won't be on the hiking trails yet due to mud season but the parties and such a great. We arrived to host our plumbers for a few chores and then let out for the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center nearby for the May 1st Friday event ~ locals beer & whiskey tasting with food booths and live music. It was excellent and well attended. A donation to six local charities garnered keen tasting cups; we had but just several CO brews. Our favorites were 4 Noses and Broken Compass IPA variants of these few... we didn't have whiskey.

Not only was the beer good but the SilPAC added a new permanent outdoor stage overlooking the lawn along the Blue River and under the shadow of broad Buffalo Mtn ~ spectacular location and vibe, and the sound was decent. Silverthorne is on the rise for sure. We partook of the Blue River Grass duo while there, they were excellent and clearly locals ~ good originals and Americana covers from a keen vocalist and killer fiddle.

We had a good time at our great new venue but left a bit early after sundown... we'd just eaten already and, well, it was getting chilly for the way I'd dressed. Great event.

Fun On The Arkansas With Kala 04May23

Kala and I decided to head to Pueblo for some fishing on the PT. Unfortunately flows have fallen to ~115cfs so lowish for right now. We did well on mayflies all day and I was heartened after about 6 misses, Kala did land a fish today. I did well with some nice 19" cutbows and stout 19" brown among a passel of other teens and a 20" sucker. We stopped at Brue's for brews and a tasty slopper before heading back to COS. Good outing in Pueblo. Destiny's Child was the best imitation today and the Rodfather True 3 was stellar and is now fully experienced ~ it was a good match for the 19"ers; I did lose some holding the line tight as some fish darted for the tree roots but else it was very game for fighting the strong fish, and it casts even my Perdigon led nymph rig great.

Tight Sweet Pill Show @ The Black Sheep 02May23

I was excited that friends Bob & Cheryl were able to come out for a show to hear Sweet Pill with me in Colo Spgs @ The Black Sheep. It's been 15 years since I last saw Cheryl, and even Bob was a distant couple of years. I stopped at their new place in downtown COS for pre-game; it's a gorgeous estate adorned with European courtyard, great peak view deck, stylish great room, and a 5 car garage... way to go Bob. Too I learned Cheryl is an infamous live music fan so we definitely shared observations all night, and discussed future events. Unfortunately her son Wyatt, an old friend as well, was not around at the time so I could say "hi"... I do see him often-ish at Keystone though.

We had a good, but brief time at the show. Sweet Pill was the opening act of the 3 band night; they were excellent and tight as expected. Youssef's voice (from light & melodic, to punch, to scream, to soaring) and lyrics were awesome and the band was very strong and "on it" for each move and transition. The beat boys slammed hard and the harmonics guitar was eerie and sweet while the lead was right on the leads of vocals. Sweet Pill's emo/punk vibe was present throughout their 7 song set and we all thought their show was very good. Sound at the venerable Black Sheep was decent enough for us at our vantage point right in front of the sound man. Yoho had to miss the show but as he said: "I'll catch them next year at Ball Arena;" they'll not be openers long, even for Origami Angel.

I captured one song from the show, Sweet Pill's leadoff title track from their only album 'Where The Heart Is." Awesome. I couldn't take the singing of the lead in Pinkshift, the 2nd act, and neither could the others, so we left early and never partook of headliners, Origami Angels.

May Music Appreciation 01May23

Clearly I've been queuing stuff since the April appreciation update. Springtime has brought great concerts as well as great news of more. On with the show; these might be somewhat ordered in noteworthiness for me...

Eight @ WXPN Apr23 - Puzzled, Die In The Desert , On The Beech , & Bird - Eight is an indie trio from Philly... first stuff as a team just now. Songs from this radio studio gig are good. If I need to slot them I'm going with shoegazing. Mimi Gallagher is on point ~ but there's plenty more.

 

lluminati hotties (with Sapphire Jewell) @ Treefort 06Apr23 - HERE - not a great recording but will highlight a point. I've listened to Sarah Tudzin >1yr; she's a recording engineer and musician in LA and bringing some cool stuff to post-punk punk. illuminati hotties are notable especially now IMO because Sarah boldly closed Sapphire Jewell to the summer tour for guitar and backing vocals; Cuffed Up must've gotten scared of skills and released her. Here's illuminati hotties/Sarah on the right and Sapphire Jewell on the left. Very great things will come.

boygenius is ballistic... as if they hadn't already been with "Me and My Dog" last year. HERE on Kimmel Live 21Apr23 singing "Not Strong Enough" from the latest LP, the record, Julien Baker completely owns the song and the whole team does a great version. This lady supergroup will hit Red Rocks on a gone weekend for me this summer, darn it; their openers that night ~ illuminati hotties with Sapphire Jewell!

 

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway have dropped/announced another bluegrass album ~ this on the heels of MT's bluegrass Grammy last year for Crooked Tree. The 1st single El Dorado is strong and was released 27Apr23 HERE.

Finally Sarah Shook & The Disarmers are back. HERE @ Carter Guitars 17Apr23 playing If It's Poison. But that not all; Shook is offering stuff as Mightmare too like at the Chicago Musical Exchange 29Jan23 HERE. She'll be in COS at Lulu's Downstairs on 5/27 and the day after in Denver ~ unfortunately I can't attend due to prior commit to Alex Lahey's show in Denver that night. The shag and lead guitarist are new in both.

Eighty Fish Day On Trout Creek With Andy ~ May Day 01May23

Wow that was a complete blast. I was invited by Master Fisherman Andy Holley to partake of Trout Ck private water today. He awoke me at 6:30am for a ride north of Woodland Pk to spring fed Trout Ck. Even with our chilly 33° and very early arrival at 7:15am, we weren't the first and could not fish Andy's fav spot all day as it was occupied. No matter though as we had a blast on a gorgeous day slaying fish all day everywhere else on the property. Andy caught some 20"ers but I stayed devoid of that size; I did catch a  triple when I spied and caught a palomino to match up with my several browns and a slew of rainbows, mostly 14"-19". The fish were eating all day with a good midge hatch early and then a full day of mayflies. The MHFBPT caught the most for me but Destiny's Child also took plenty; Andy wants cobalt beads  too now. We celebrated with some nice brisket items at Cerberus. Never a dull moment... thanks Andy.