Just Observing: What Happened to Winter?

Coming back from Breckenridge over Hosier Pass I noticed runoff already coming down the north side. Water was racing down the side of the road and filling the Blue River. BRK ski area seemed a bit soft for this time of year. Ski conditions are marginal at best.

 I don't know my facts about weather and snow pack and average temperatures but it seemed odd. This is the middle of winter! Nor do I care to debate it especially with each side already having their feet encased in cement; or ice; or slush. 

Eleven Mile Reservoir has a lot of open water.  Some anglers are seeing big fish cruzing the edges. And of course the migration of big rainbows up into the Dream Stream has been underway for some time now. The crowds are pounding the river. 

It might just be an odd year. Or a new pattern. I do not know.

As an angler, I have my concerns. Some of my friends have their concerns about future water flows for the South Platte.

This morning, I gain a little bit of comfort seeing an inch or so of new snow on my deck in the foothills of Manitou.

I don't know. I am just observing.

Paying Attention to Something Else While Fly Fishing

When I fly fish I often pay attention only to the fish I am catching or not catching. This can get old, narrow and lifeless.

However, some of my friends I fish with help remind me there is Something else. This past week I fished with Cody, Steve and Karbo.

There are birds, bugs, sky, the different shades of light, meadows and mountains.  There are the storm clouds that try to gather over the peaks giving us hope that the Spring rains and snow will return.

There are the tiny midges trying to hatch in the cold and the fish that sluggishly try to eat them. There was the large rainbow that rose to a lone Blue Winged Olive Mayfly, but not again. There were the large rainbows and browns that took our fly but broke free.

There were our words exchanged in between casts. Words of longing and hope for a deeper richer life and for the upcoming fishing season.   These were words without complete rational understanding or expression,  yet indicating “Something” else;  Our friendships sustained in the midst of the cold currents and the dry mountain winds.