ness

If the primary reason you're considering the kayak is the price, you might end up with something you don't like or want. There was a pretty extensive thread on here a couple weeks ago discussing the pros and cons of kayaks and canoes. I thought there were some very good points made. Might be worth searching for that for some ideas.

I'll have to check that out next time. Sounds interesting. Yep, we're about 10-1/2 hours door to door. Very doable in a day -- sometimes wonder why I don't do it more. That's a little more than two trips to the Current for me. I love fishing for the natives, and got my boys excited about it a couple years ago too. Here's my boy with a Greenback cutt: and a much better picture of a Greenback, held by a friend's son: and here's the only Colorado River cutt I ever caught: and where he lived: I worked my butt off for the CO River one, but I feel like it was worth it. The Greenbacks are in a few places that are pretty accessible (Lily Lake, for one) so they're not as much work. Bear Lake is a sanctuary for them (they're listed as 'Threatened') and therefore is off-limits for fishing.

Greg, I had to look the place up, but I know about where you were. We've stayed in cabins just down the road from there a couple times -- near the YMCA. That's a great area for a family vacation, and I'd put RMNP up against about any other national park. Gorgeous place, absolutely huge -- you couldn't hike it all in a lifetime. Plenty of small stream, alpine lake and even tailwater fishing in the area. Two species of native cutthroats (one on each side of the divide). Go-carts. We try to get out there every couple years -- and this is the off year. Here's me on my first trip to Estes, near the end of the last millenium:

Nice report, Greg. I love CO, Estes and RMNP. I'm trying to figure out where you camped -- was it over at Mary's Lake?

As already mentioned, there's Big Thompson outside the park. There are dozens of opportunities inside the park, and I haven't found those waters to be too crowded -- even the ones close to the roads and entrances. Of course, if there's a parking lot and a well-worn path heading to the stream, you're probably not the first. As a general rule, the farther away from Estes you go, the lighter the traffic; and the west side of the divide will be less active than the east. There are a lot of different types of opportunities too. Meadow fishing for large, wary trout (See avatar - that's the Thompson inside the Park), pocket water and/or high gradient fishing for opportunistic smaller ones -- all fairly close to the road. There's also an opportunity (though slight) of being mauled by a bear, attacked by a mountain lion or 'gored' by a moose. But seriously, it's cool just to see any or all of them. On the west side, there's the opportunity to fish the headwaters of the Colorado, and with a moderate hike, get to a place where you can jump across. If you're into numbers, there are places where it's relatively easy to hook a brook trout on every cast. If you'd like to add one or two species of native cutthroats to your life list, there are Greenbacks on the east side and Colorado River cutts on the west side of the divide. You'd have to do a little homework to find them, especially the latter. Most streams have either rainbows or browns. Grant at Estes Angler or Scott's Fly Shop will help you narrow things down a bit.

Am I correct in assuming that the boat was traveling at a high rate of speed and that there are branches hanging out over the water that knocked this poor guy off the boat? Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends.

Wenonah Vagabond or Wenonah Solo Plus I currently drive a Solo Plus. Got it when my kids were young and could put a couple in there with me. They're big enough now I'd only do one. It's a better solo than tandem canoe -- I would only put a smaller person as second. If I was buying one now, it would be the Vagabond or something like it.

Can't get the link to work. What's the poop?

You sound like a perfect candidate for my new product called Fishing Caddy. For just $20 a day, I'll send one of my 13-year old boys out with you to lug all your crap. If $20 is not enough, I could maybe pay as high as $30.

My interest in glass has been growing some. I'd seen a few custom rod makers offering them, and that's what got it started. I really don't like a fast rod. I tend to favor quieter places -- smaller streams and tighter conditions -- so a fast-action rod is often a liability. The big manufacturers continue to make faster and lighter rods for the most part, so there is a need for a slower-action rod. Aesthetics-wise: I think a bamboo-like look would have appeal, and accentuate the old-time feel of the thing.

Mine has been a mixed bag. The tomatoes are doing fine. None harvested yet, but it won't be to long. Peppers look a little stunted, but healthy. Snow peas were a total bust. Lettuce went to seed real suddenly and the crop was small. Radishes have been very small. Didn't get the netting on soon enough and the birds are most of the blueberries. Bumper crop of weeds though.

Actually -- I'm not that stupid - the options button wouldn't work until I changed the skin back to the OA default. You can have your forum back now.

Hey ness, you idiot -- click on options and change the view mode to 'standard' from outline.

Recently, when I open a post, only the first message is fully opened up. The rest now show as branches below it that require me to click on them to open them and read. Is there some setting I can change to have all the messages open?

I'd agree with the physics of that. The problem is trying to move your legs now that you're bound up with water-filled waders, not to mention that you may have on boots. I've often wondered if a wading belt might actually be a problem -- if they trap air in there, the lower half of your body is more buoyant than the top, and that doesn't sound too promising. Hopefully the guy now realizes the danger, and doesn't try it again.

Nice stuff - and priceless to you, I'm sure.

Nicely done!

One of my car buying requirements is that a 9-foot fly rod must fit inside, assembled. But - a 2-piece won't fit in a pickup cab?

Yeah, I know what you mean. That's a pretty good-sized chunk off the end. You've probably thought of this if it applies, but some rod makers have lifetime warranties...

It's best to just re-tip it.

I don't think large fish necessarily hug the bottom. Within a population, the larger trout will command the best habitat - that which provides access to food and protection. You don't see the big fish because they're hunkered down in the places where you can't see them. The dinks are left to fend for themselves in the less-safe water, which is the shallower stuff. Also, the larger a trout becomes the more carnivorous they are.

What an extraordinary opportunity for those kids. Not only doing an extended visit to Normandy, but getting to experience it with some vets is over the top. The kids sound like they are bright, well-grounded and understand things well beyond their years. Very cool. I added this to my RSS feed so I'm sure to see updates. Thanks for posting this.

Good fer you.

Cabela's has some pretty good choices. I got my 13-year olds a couple last summer. One was a Traditional II, and the other name escapes me. Pretty nice rods -- moderate action, nicely finished. Got a couple cheapy reels there too. I actually fish the Trad II occasionally and really like it. Both 4-weights, 7-1/2 feet. I think you're right about sizing down a little for the youngsters. 7-1/2 feet is a little easier to handle. 4-weight is a good choice, depending on what you're doing. If it's panfish & trout that's good, or a 3-weight would be fine too. A 5-weight would work, but it's maybe more that you need.

I grabbed a copy of the mag yesterday. Not what I expected at all. It's not really spotlighting the area, and it's not really slamming it either. Kinda poking fun at it, at least at the beginning. I never thought of the area being 'nestled between Branson and the Mississippi River' -- more like Cassville and Doolittle, but I spose that doesn't sell magazines. Brian, I really got a chuckle from the author's description of you. Crew cut, soul patch puffed out by Cope. But - good job with the Czech nymphing and all the rest.