3-10-18 Bread N' Butter Days at Boulder Creek (BC) and The T

Hey kids...guess what time it is? It's time for Bread N' Butter. Gonna get me some of the Bread N' Butter. Yay B and B!!!!!!!

So what is Bread and Butter you ask? It's when you spread butter on to a piece of bread, silly goose!! No really though...it's how I make a living 90% of the time when I guide (which is the only way that I'm making a living right now so probably higher, truth be told). Bread N' Butter is guiding on a handful of the same rivers over and over in the local area and just slaughtering trout like it's nobody's business. You know, good times!

Bread N' Butter. It's showing up to the river and knowing that within 15 minutes if a client hasn't caught a trout, we need to work on that presentation. It's knowing BC, Big T, Saint V and everything in between. It's knowing that when that sun goes behind that mountain there, the Caddis are coming out under that bridge and it's knowing that on this stretch of Glacier Creek that if the PMD gets eaten, it's a Rainbow; and if the beetle goes down, it's a brown.

It's Bread N' Butter. It's a lot of time, a lot of commitment, a lot of learning, a lot of guiding, and only a little fishing. It's knowing where to go, when to go, and what to throw. It's success. Bread N' Butter is my guiding success. It's my own hard work. It's getting out what you put in. It's redeeming as hell and it's the best bread you'll ever eat.

Now let's get to that Butter. I had my first two person full day of the year and it will most likely be the first of at least 50-60 trips of that same flavor this season. Usually, we go straight up to Estes on a full day but my B & B senses told me we should start in Boulder Creek. I thought that below Mile Marker 35 would be the ticket as we have been getting some great weather lately and I had fished this stretch in the last month as well.

Below Mile Marker 35-Notice the low Southern Mountain.

My Bread N' Butter also knows that this roughly 150 yard stretch of river gets uncapped (defrosted) in the spring quicker than any other spot due to the low Southern lying mountain and the North-South direction of the stream.

The son told me that he had some experience in the past and that statement proved to be right on. I could tell immediately that he had his cast down. Within minutes he had our first trout on with a Chubby Chernobyl.

I tyed on the Dad with a Chubby as well and it was on. It was fishing fun for the next two hours with at least 6-8 trout landed between the two of em'. We were also catching some trouties with some Mirage Nymphs and Cotton Candy midges. With the clock pushing towards noon and the bite slowing slightly, I decided it was time to jump ship to the Thompson.

Mile Marker 35. AKA-The Ticket. Wide Open

We stopped in Boulder to grab lunches and made our way up. It was a beautiful drive up to Estes; with temps in the 60's, light traffic and a bunch of trout already struck, I was really in guide heaven. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty on the way up mixed with some Chili Peppers didn't hurt either. Bread N' Butter.

Looking upstream at Whispering Pines-hard to see the snow flakes falling but they're there.

We pulled up to the tailwater, and then just kept going as it was packed tight with 14 cars. Been there, done that-just last week as a matter of fact. Plan B...Whispering Pines, again. (I've guided that stretch probably 100 times at least). Real Buttery for sure.

$$$$$$ and more money. It was like the more money we came across, the more trout that we see. (B.I.G.)

Atta boy-Nice Rainbow

Slowed down a bit right at the end with the excess wind but the guys were crushing it otherwise. Caught another handful of trout there as well. Chubby's, Blue Poison Tungs, Mirage Nymphs, Barr's Emergers were all getting it done.

Stopped by the tailwater for the last hour with hardly any success but I did get to enjoy a couple of cold ones at the end of the day by the water and just take it all in for a little bit. Much needed R & R. Thanks Thompson. Thanks BC. Thanks Bread. Thanks Butter.

PARTING SHOTS

On The Water-Big Thompson Whispering Pines

It's a rough job but I have to do it. Good Choice Hull. Another Win-Win? I'd say yes. 

Jealous Much? Sorry. Bread N' Butter.


Tight Lines

Here we go again...season 7 & Big T with the boys of RMA 3-3-18

Got that big first trip out of the way and now it's time for us to get it on.... a group trip?!?!?!?

Alright. I mean they're great and all, and it's not managing 40 monkeys for a living but it's...it's just nothing Chris-just shut the hell up! I do like me some group trip, I just prefer the solo a little more, that's all. But it is always great to hang out with the shop rats a little and this trip happened to be with some beer distributors from Missouri that won a contest with Avery Brewing and got to go fishing (with us) and drink beer for free (with us) so I'm not sure what I'm bitching about really. I think I just need some bread n' butter. (???) Mmmmmm, bread n' butter.

So here's my quick report for the day.

BEER REPORT:
Avery IPA- Solid beer. Had 3 of them. Real solid, in my top 10 all time IPA's. That's not an easy list to crack around these parts good sir. What you think of when you think IPA, hoppy, a little bitter, great taste. Pretty session-able. One of the first things I'll reach for if the Elephant Rider is out. (See O'Dell if unclear, silly).

Raja (spelling?)-Really good IPA. Haven't had one in a while. really good. Starting to creep up there in the ABV. Had 1.

Look at the hook jaw on this guy. This was my 4th or 5th hook up all day. 

Maha Raja (spelling?)-Really good Imperial Double IPA. Pretty juicy my man. Splendid if I say so myself. Had 1. Pretty high ABV's. Decided to probably slow down the alcohol consumption. Might have had a little whiskey on the way up too. Hey, it's a group trip, we have to bond as guides and I didn't drive. And I don't work at a ski resort anymore SO LET ME HAVE SOME FUN DAMNIT!!!

A look at my best catch of the day. The one that really made me think...maybe I'm catching too many? Tasty. Get some!

After the Maha maha, I went back to the IPA and then had a Crank Yanker on the way down. I was feeling alright I do say. I provided ample entertainment on the way home as well for my co-guides.

FISHING:
The tailwater was slammed so we went to the canyon first. Only had 3 miles to play with as the canyon is still closed (still?). I told Tony and Justin that we oughta hit up Whispering Pines cause the access was minimal with construction. They doubted me. I didn't.

$$$$

Low water for sure but we made it happen. I actually threw my newly tyed "Black and Tan" midge and it was pretty money. Tossed on some midges the rest of the day, mostly subsurface, and a few baetis below as well. Pretty good day all in all so I apologize about bitching earlier, and for the record.....it's more like 38 monkeys cause there's three I really like(d). But now it's 0 monkeys and I still get to see three of my favorite people ever. So again, a win-win for Chris. Seems to be the early theme for the season for me. I dig win-win.

Bugs:Top Secret midges, Disco midges, black beauty, the usual suspects and more.

Free Beer, great clients, great clients drinking free beer, great guides drinking free beer, lots of trout, no monkeys. Win-win.

Dig?

Tight Lines-