A Bridge Too Far

[creek wader]

I made this a picture story. Maybe you won't get to bored reading it

Oct. 25th. The weather was quite warm with a strong wind out of the south, before this cool front moved in. Figured I'd better hit it.

Several years ago, I met a few anglers at an access, that I used a lot. They asked me if I had went all the way to the RR bridge, I said no, especially since I didn't know there was a bridge. I looked it up on a map and figured it was about a 2 mile wade. So, for about 3 yrs. I've been trying to wade all the way to the bridge and never made it, for some reason or another. The stream is low, so I figured that I could wade all the way. It's an abandoned Colorado Midland Rwy. bridge. Probably last used by either the Katy or the Rock. Do you know, Chief?

Anyway, I started at the usual access. Buzz, had suggested using a teeny craw, so that was my goal. When I opened my small crank box. I saw a "Bee" crank. I recalled seeing someone talking about using one, recently.

So, I tried it first. First cast and caught a smallie:

It knocked of a wing, so I removed the other one and kept using it, It still worked;

After, catching quite a few sunnies and google-eye on it. I up-sized to a jointed Rapala and caught some smallies and more google-eye;

And one nice fat 15" smallie, the biggest smallie of the day;

After several more smallies, I moved on. I remembered the Teeny-craw. So, put it on and caught quite a few of these;

and these; and a few more of these;

I moved on and after a lot of ankle deep water, I came to a nice rocky pool with a good current running through it. The Teeny-craw caught several more sunnies and some rock bass, and a few smallies. I put on a 3" twister tail on a 1/16 oz. head. and caught bunch of these;

I moved on and found a slow deep pool. I caught quite a few sunnies and several more goggle-eye. I saw a rocky structure with some down trees so. I removed the twister tail and put a 5" candy corn, Bass Pro Stik-o-worm. First cast I caught a plump 15" largemouth;

followed by several of his buddies:

A little farther up, I finally made it to my destination:

Under the bridge was a small hole. I caught a 12" largemouth on the first cast. Followed by a slew of sunnies and bluegill. So, I moved above the bridge. There was a long narrow run. I cuaght a 8" smallie followed by a gob of sunnies and several google-eyes;

I headed back and threw a couple more times, where I caught the largemouths and caught this guy, my first on this stream;

It was getting late so, I headed back cross country. It was quite a jaunt in waders, across fields, through the timber and over a bluff. But, definitely quicker.

I made it to my goal and along the way, I caught a plethora of sunnies and bluegill, a bunch of google-eye, over 30 smallies and about 5 or so largemouth. And oh yea, the crappie. Seen a eagle, several turkeys and treed a small coon. I realize the fish aren't bragging material. But, I had fun and seen the" bridge".

[Buzz]

Great report and nice fish. Days like that you don't easily forget and seldom duplicate.

[Chief Grey Bear]

It's an abandoned Colorado Midland Rwy. bridge. Probably last used by either the Katy or the Rock. Do you know, Chief?

That would be your friendly Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific. Which I would wager some of those Eldon boys are still hitting the high iron out of Jeff City????

Days like you had here make it all worth the work. Glad you took lots of pics. They do tell a wonderful story.

[gotmuddy]

wonderful story, I am glad you took the time to make this post.

[fishinSWMO]

Nice! It looks like you had plenty of action.

I really like the long wading trips until its time to turn back, and then I hope I have enough daylight to get back.

[drew03cmc]

darn, I am jealous. I was at work when you were doing this. This looks like a heck of a day and one that I would love to duplicate!

[creek wader]

That would be your friendly Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific. Which I would wager some of those Eldon boys are still hitting the high iron out of Jeff City????

Days like you had here make it all worth the work. Glad you took lots of pics. They do tell a wonderful story.

I thought you'd know the bridge, Chief. ... Yea, there is still a few of the Eldon boys, around. I'll have to give them a shout.

There is a private road going to the bridge from each side. I'm going to see if I can't get permission and drive down to it, and continue the wade on up stream. The water looked pretty fishy up there.

Thanks for the info.

[Wheatenheimer]

Nice job, my friend! Thanks for sharing!