moment of zen

Sometimes you just need a good ride

americana

Just when I thought an mtb ride ending at a brewery wuz da bomb, my brother shows me how it's really done up Denver way. Evergreen ride followed by ole fashioned pig roast + keg by Great Divide brewery courtesy those good folks employed by the National Park Service.

My brother? Yah, he's one lucky hombre.

And the pig? He was a good pig, God rest his soul.

Edit: closed our day with spirited round of kick the can. Would say it was like being a kid again but I think I pulled something. Can someone pass the ibuprofen?

an open letter

...to those interlopers poaching my favorite reach this holiday weekend.

You will find the water levels down after early runoff, near where you'd expect them around beginning of July.

Water's still colder than a well-digger's adz tho, struggling to push past 50 degrees.

Still, with levels and clarity turning towards perfection, where are all the fish you ask?

Oh, I caught all those guys last week.  Lo siento.  ;-)

And if you catch a glimpse of a big-headed monster sulking in the depths, a Root Beer Float still embedded in his giant maw- don't sweat it, I'll be back later this summer to close the deal on that big fella, retrieve that fly.

Insincerely,
that (jealous) blogger jerk at DFFT.

Kidding aside- hope this finds you all (interlopers included) out bending rods this holiday weekend.  The high country awaits! Mike

blue ribbon

So that's what we're calling this trail?

 'blow chunks hill' must not have fit the sign

Guess the USFS dint take to my suggestion of Blow Chunks Hill. ;-]

Railed it anyway~

good morning!

Brought to you by those good folks at Steaming Bean Coffee, DGO

DGO

The vista from the athletic fields at Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO?

Stellar.

I am here, wishing I was there.

eclipse

Durango Shootout Champs: AYSO Eclipse. Good work girls!

a great day

Kids finished their first day 2 wins & 2 ties.

My 20 mi mtb ride ended @ Ska Brewery- gotta refuel the tank ya know.

What a great day~

good morning beautiful

...how did you sleep last night? Are you ready for some fun today?

photos from the field

My favorite captures from the trail these past coupla weeks.

never the same

When I considered the legacy building around the Fall River combination as it travels the country this summer, I knew immediately I wanted to contribute some notion of what I love about my part of the Rocky Mountain West to those that come after. 

In my mind's eye, there are two treasures, each beyond price, intertwined so as to be inseparable.  

Hopefully never one without the other-  New Mexico's high country and Rio Grande Cutthroat trout.

Biologists tell us New Mexico's native fish now haunt but a scant five percent of their native range.  For we disciples of the long rod, that means most populations demand a hefty price in boot leather to reach.

trackless wilderness

But oh! they prove treasures well worth the coin paid.

liquid snow

Saturday found me rattling up a familiar backcountry two-track, miles upon miles from nowhere, on the threshold of a veritable trackless wilderness.

Cloud of dust settling around the trailhead, booting up, cinching pack straps tight, it's a familiar ritual.  This day, though, is different.

Fall River Fly Rod different.

match made in heaven?

Now officially introduced, I am absolutely certain some things will never be the same.

far and fine

Fall River rod combo proved a real trout slayer alright.  Together we held forth on some willing pupils~

here endeth the lesson

arkansas in pixels

Wanted to make sure I got this up before that trip got lost in the annals of awesome.  Makes me happy~