Ski & Fish - and my first trout of 2012

Today I headed up to the mountains for some morning skiing and afternoon fishing. After logging just shy of 22,000 vertical feet in 3.5 hours, I headed down to the Blue River below Dillon Reservoir to give the new Red Devil Sakasa Kebari a workout.

Let me say that this new fly fishes very nicely, but I still have no game in the Winter. I spent almost 3 hours pounding the water, seeing some very nice, big colorful rainbows staring at and ignoring me. And it was cold. Not as cold as on the mountain (0F), but then the activity and clothing is different. Anyway, I think I am repeating myself, but Winter fishing is just not for me. Call me a wimp if you want, I don't care.

BUT - in those 3 hours I caught one of the famous Blue River rainbows, hogs feeding on mysis shrimp coming out of Dillon reservoir and growing to stupendous sizes. I was even able to land it without a net (which was at home). My fist trout of 2012:

yeah, and it was foul hooked as well, below the jaw.

that's the dam of Dillon Reservoir

the building in the back is part of the Outlets at Silverthorne

On the positive side, the drive back to the low land was a breeze.

See you on the river, -K

River Statistics:
Weather: sun with clouds moving in, wind
Air Temp: in the low 20ies
Flow: 53cfs, very clear 
Day on the water in 2012: 2
Fish: 1