12/21 Parker Bottoms

[Devan S.]

Kicked off another trip to Parker this morning....took the Yak to try and access Cane brake and Crane bluff areas. Water was scheduled to be shut off at 11 and not be back on until late in the afternoon. I could have simply crossed at Cane Brake but I have this serious fear of getting caught with rising water and not being able to get back across so I setup so I could always float back to my truck. 

I arrived at Parker to a noticeable current although I could tell it had begun dropping. I was about 45 minutes too early but thought what the heck and put in the yak and headed up stream. Note to Self: Paddling in waders is uncomfortable especially against current. 

I cleared the shallower area above parker and pulled over and began tossing the jerker almost immediately I had a good follow. Then I had a decent rainbow on that came off. Then it went dead. 

I know the fish were biting cause the guys fishing around with fly rods were catching but throwing bigger jerk baits I was getting nothing. Water was low and clear and almost no current. 

I decided to get in the yak and drift down on the deep side when I went over the kind of brown I have been looking for. I pulled over and beat the water to a froth where I saw him to no avail. Even pulled out the jig rod and lost a jig on the first cast so gave up and headed home. 

Got my butt kicked this time.....still better than work.