Crimson Red Sports

Drove over 1000 miles the first day, and stayed in Denver (when the snow started).

(http://i.imgur.com/84V020T.jpg)
Next morning; beautiful.

(http://i.imgur.com/j2wS28q.jpg)
Loveland Pass - snowy. 

(http://i.imgur.com/HWMPEcM.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/uh2QiaI.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/4PphnSD.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/wtIzaMT.jpg)
Aspen Mountain (as I approached Basalt CO). 

Went fishing even before I unloaded the car.

(http://i.imgur.com/C3laz0e.jpg?1)
Frying Pan River; Brown Trout.

(http://i.imgur.com/Dz4ZOZG.jpg)
Cottonwood Trees along the Frying Pan River

E-cred for the pics. Keep 'em coming.  :clap:

Beautiful pics! #+

Really nice pics. Looking forward to seeing more throughout your trip...

Yes sir me too. RTR!

(http://i.imgur.com/B0NHB4c.jpg)
Saw this old barn alongside the road.  Something moved inside, so Chech explored.

(http://i.imgur.com/vOamy6b.jpg)
Four mule deer hiding in there!  Odd.

(http://i.imgur.com/benQ68V.jpg)
Flower pic for LF and Greg.  Poppies.

(http://i.imgur.com/S6C6jgD.jpg)
I stopped by the local store to get something for lunch.
DANG, they sell those same fish I'm releasing!!  I could be rich!   :lol2:

(http://i.imgur.com/FUo5atP.jpg?1)
Like my new gloves??  Christmas present.
More about this big Rainbow Trout after I download the other pics.
 :dunno:

More gooduns indeed. That was unusual to see those deer hiding in that open shed.

Ok, I'm all ready to hear about the rainbow trout.  :popcorn2:

The big rainbow trout (the REAL story):  :lol2:

I was fishing next to a guy named JJ (whatever).  He was about my age, but I noticed he was using a wading staff and having trouble walking.  We chatted.  Nobody else was around, and we were catching trout periodically.  Then I heard him say he'd hooked one.  INDEED, a whale.  Even though I was 25' away I could see it (clear water).  He was stumbling, trying to get it within netting distance, but the fight went on for 10-15 minutes.  I offered to help net it for him (often done; guides usually net your fish), but he said he wanted to do it.  He struggled.  He was working downstream, following the fish toward deep water.  Finally, after nearly falling a dozen times, he got it into the net; I went to take photos for him.  I started the GoPro camera and took pics with his camera.  But JJ was tired, very fatigued.  I held onto him while he recovered.  Meanwhile, as you see in the top pic, I helped the fish recover and released it.  We exchanged email addresses and last night I sent him photos from my camera.  Here is the fish with him (my hands holding his camera for the pics):

(http://i.imgur.com/WUManDB.jpg?1)

Some of my (lesser than JJ's) Brown Trout from yesterday:

(http://i.imgur.com/pHDmEza.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2WQnwVf.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/BANuUDa.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Xp2JHEF.jpg)

Nice Brown Trout. You're right, the Rainbow was huge!

They are SO colorful here.  Spawning right now.

(http://i.imgur.com/Lmso7gW.jpg)
Lots of red rocks along the river.  Looks like Red Mountain (B'ham).

(http://i.imgur.com/jNZjlUF.jpg)
Flower pic for LF and 2.   :lol2:

(http://i.imgur.com/SZ5laEm.jpg)
Frying Pan River

(http://i.imgur.com/KSAveMN.jpg)
Fish are in there!!

How many did you catch today?

Chech, Mrs. J and I have been really enjoying the pics. That was a sho nuff nice Rainbow, bragging rights I would say.

LOTS; about 20.

I'll post pics.

(http://i.imgur.com/rsuNPPi.jpg?1)
First of the day.

(http://i.imgur.com/1prGDoX.jpg?2)
Most feisty!!
 :lol2:

(http://i.imgur.com/1prGDoX.jpg?2)

 :lol:

Sure it wasn't, "Please release me, let me go"?  :lol2:

NO.  He was Mr. Grumpy!!

Those really are some beautiful pics you are posting.  One question though, why was that old guy able to catch such a nice big trout but the one's that you are catching are rather small comparatively?   ???

Sorry, back when my dad and I fished together a lot we would banter back and forth teasing each other about each other's fish like that...  ;)

1. He has a miserable life.  Prolly went home and beat his dog.  :lol2:

2. These days we have CRS for such "banter"!  (http://theartofsound.net/images/smilies/angry-smiley-021.gif)

 :lol2:

(http://i.imgur.com/IKYfGX5.jpg?1)
Driving along River Road this morning; encountered two mule deer.  Seemed safe enough.

(http://i.imgur.com/zed2QsF.jpg)
Apparently they misjudged the speed and maneuverability of my car!!   :lol2: :lol2:

Two of Friday's fish:

(http://i.imgur.com/Q8akeBD.jpg?2)

(http://i.imgur.com/8m3NphW.jpg?2)

Saturday's catch:

(http://i.imgur.com/U32nM5W.jpg)
My buddy caught a Tree Swallow.  Hey, they eat flies and ... yadda yadda...

I caught Rainbow Trout!
(http://i.imgur.com/hmUDeF6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zb9KGjQ.jpg)

Chech, good to see the fish are still cooperating for you. I see you are still wearing the long sleeves too so winter must still be hanging on there. It was tough seeing the ladies lose yesterday but to win, you have to score runs. Hopefully their program will find a way in the off season to improve their batting/hitting, they sure need some help there.

We are enjoying your pics, keep up the good work. :D :clap:

Chech, so you're buddy got a birdie, huh? I could sure use a few of those today. We are playing golf today at Blackstone. It's located between Crestview and Defuniak Springs, in a little community called Mossy Head.  :lol2:

Busy week this week. Got the family over for Memorial Day cookout tomorrow. Tuesday is preparation for training I'm conducting on Wednesday. Thursday, I'm flying to Houston for a funeral on Friday. My cousin's wife passed away from an aneurism Friday night.
 :(

I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day weekend.  :wave:

Hope you get a birdie or two, 2.   :clap:

Terrible news about your cousin's wife.  Life is short.   :(

(http://i.imgur.com/AYgpGjN.jpg)

Hard to capture on a pic, but check out the sleet on my hand and in the water (at lower left).  And the wind was gusting (see ripples on water at right).  All of those streaks in the pic are bits of sleet too.  It sleeted most of yesterday, off and on.  Cold too, but we were fishing!   :dunno:

Nice pics of the bird and your trout.  How much longer are you going to be out there fishing?

Nice shots chechem. We have really enjoyed those pics, you're the only way we get to see those parts of the country any more. RTR!

Thanks NALT and Ricky.
I leave Basalt CO on June 7th.
Then I'll be fishing in Montana and Yellowstone.   :dunno:

Enjoying the pics very much too, Chech. Keep 'em coming.  :clap:

(http://i.imgur.com/HUQ72JY.jpg)

Met this guy today.  We fished the same stretch of river.  Twice we caught trout at the same time! 
JUST DELETING HIS FACE!

2 of Sunday's best fish:

(http://i.imgur.com/kO5wh5r.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/zfq3JXj.jpg?1)

Sunday's pretty pics (along the Frying Pan Road) for those who need such:  :lol2:

(http://i.imgur.com/bAX6qNC.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/nQAPTVM.jpg?2)

(http://i.imgur.com/8tG3hnJ.jpg?1)

Those are some great pics, Chech. Congrats on the fish. They are behaving for you again this year. Is it still cold there?

Hey Chechem Mrs Dottie and I just sit here in awe of those pics. They are so beautiful. God's pure creation for sure. Now I was wondering are those Rainbow Trout you are catching? RTR!

@ 2: Yes, it's cold.

@ Ricky:  Most I posted were Brown Trout.  Today I caught this Rainbow Trout.

(http://i.imgur.com/Mr4OlG9.jpg)

Man, that is a beautiful Rainbow trout.  I bet that thing would be so tasty too...

Bring the grill when you come. :lol:

Was quite a fight getting him to the net. The hook on the dry fly he ate was tiny, and he fought hard. It took about 15 minutes to get him into shallow water for netting.

Yes beautiful. The colors are brilliant in the sunshine.

Here is the tiny dry fly that the big trout took; called a Sparkle Dun (size 22):

(http://i.imgur.com/PHQr3QK.jpg)

More pics of yesterday's Rainbow Trout:

(http://i.imgur.com/s8i4fpb.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/K521VeP.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/VYiFBnw.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/sJCOXIK.jpg)

I also caught a bunch of other fish yesterday, including these:

(http://i.imgur.com/Iqk2SRM.jpg?1)
Rainbow (see the tiny fly in its upper jaw?)

(http://i.imgur.com/atqnXjf.jpg)
Brown

Banner day yesterday, Chech. The rainbow was huge. I bet you were a little tired aftaer hauling that big boy in.  :worship:

Gosh Chechem Mrs Dottie and I just sit here in awe of those pics of the fish and the mountains. They are so beautiful. Thanks so very much for sharing. RTR!

Mystery flowers.  I don't have a wildflower book with me, so these are a mystery.  Not a great photo; light was low when I took the pic.  Leaves are distinctive; round petals; all white; some buds are pink before they open; grows on poor soils in rocky habitat.  
 :dunno:

(http://i.imgur.com/7Qzw4jl.jpg)

Solved: Tufted Evening Primrose

(https://i.imgur.com/3f8tb2V.jpg)

Another whale Rainbow Trout yesterday (Tuesday).  Quite a fight.  Took 15 minutes, and probably couldn't have landed it without the help of "John", who was fishing nearby.  It was too big for his net and mine, but John managed to get its head in the net (after 3-4 tries), and we had it!

We took underwater video of it before releasing, so I was able to capture images of it in its habitat.

(http://i.imgur.com/zNbuN11.jpg?2)

(http://i.imgur.com/aPcxAoB.jpg?3)
That little black spot on its upper snout is the tiny fly (size 24 Black Beauty nymph).

(http://i.imgur.com/KzXrGCb.jpg?2)

(http://i.imgur.com/mJDvnBK.jpg?3)

That thing is huge, Chech. Nice catch!!!  #+

Best of the rest (Brown Trout):

(http://i.imgur.com/U5GRHsA.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Fy6OKaC.jpg)

I hope you brought some Ben Gay or Bio-Freeze with you.  :lol2:

 :lol: 
I already need Preacher's walker for my back.  Ten hours/day of stumbling over rocky terrain has taken a toll.  BUT, I'd rather be fishing!
 :-*

Chechem that is so beautiful. You have a paradise that every human should be able to sample one time I think. Well done sir. btw, your welcome to my Walker anytime, lol. RTR!

Thank you, Preacher.  I'm willing to share paradise (and the walker).   :lol2:

Big news yesterday was a different species of fish; a Cutthroat Trout.  Cutthroats are native to the Rocky Mountain streams (unlike Rainbow and Brown Trout), so it's cool to catch one.  They hybridize with Rainbow Trout producing "Cutbows", which sometimes are difficult to distinguish from Cutthroats.

I knew this was an odd fish when I hooked it.  Brown Trout fight moderately well when hooked, and seldom jump.  Rainbows fight hard and jump regularly.  This fish rocketed across the river when hooked, then started jumping like crazy.  It was a good fight for such a modest-sized fish.

Beautiful slashes of orange-red coloration on its throat.  Enjoy!

(http://i.imgur.com/ov8c5Cq.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/1A4VbT5.jpg)

The fish were really active yesterday, so I spent most of the day fishing with dry flies (top-water action instead of below = nymph fishing).  Caught a bunch of Brown Trout, like these:

(http://i.imgur.com/LmCwwUT.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/EVE9SWV.jpg)

BTW, my fingers has gotten sunburned after a few long days in the high-elevation (7550') sunshine, so I dug through my gear and found these disposable gloves.  Weird, but effective!

Thank Heavens! I thought they were turning blue from lack of oxygen.  :lol2: Interesting about the cutbows.

 :lol2:  The guy fishing next to me asked if I was a surgeon.  I told him they sell these gloves at the Dollar Store!

Hey, whatever works.

7550', huh? Any trouble catching your breath at that altitude?

Nah.  Except I gasp every time a trout explodes on the fly!   :lol2:

Here are a few pics along the Frying Pan River Road.  It rained today, so everything was lush and green.  

Fish pics by morning...   :dunno:

(http://i.imgur.com/gLShVac.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/oyq6D84.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/5oQdK0U.jpg?2)

Chechem the blooms on there are really good. They must bloom early to be that big out there. RTR!

Hey Chechem do you ever see any water snakes when your fishing out in that part of the country? RTR!

Good point, Preacher.
But they are on a south-facing slope; that helps.
I noticed this afternoon that the blooms close at dark, like morning glories, but these are not vines!
Called, "Tufted Evening Primrose".

Not water snakes, but sometimes garter snakes.  Garter Snakes eat fish.  I've commonly seen them in Yellowstone.

Thursday fish pics.  
It started raining during the afternoon, so I didn't take pics then.  As you see in 2 of the pics, overcast days aren't as good for fish pics.  The fish were really biting well today, as they do when it's overcast and/or raining.  It actually was raining for a while today during the sunshine.
 :dunno:

(http://i.imgur.com/J9Yh8h5.jpg?2)
Happy fish, but look at those teeth!

(http://i.imgur.com/DiMuHZF.jpg?2)
See they tiny fly in the corner of his mouth?

(http://i.imgur.com/9uKEopO.jpg?2)
The fly is on his tongue (ouch!).

One of the most satisfying things about fishing is "success in new techniques".  Yesterday I tried something new, and it worked.  The Pan River usually attracts 2 types of fishermen: nymphing guys and dry-fly fishermen.  Some trade back and forth.  Nymphing involves getting larval-insect flies near the bottom, where most of the trout sit and wait.  Dry-fly fishing involves attracting the trout that would leave the bottom and strike flies on the surface.  Many traditional fishermen stand behind dry fishing as the only true flyfishing. 

Yesterday I tried tying a tiny nymph on a 12" piece of line (tippet) behind a dry fly.  This isn't a new technique, it's known as dropper fishing, but it was new for me on the Pan.  I was hoping to catch some of the fish that were feeding on tiny midges floating on the surface.  Most trout on the Pan feed on midges during morning, then can be caught on larger flies (still small by most standards) about noon.  My hesitation to using the tiny midge flies was the difficulty in seeing them.  They are black and barely float, so they disappear as soon as they hit the water.  But when tied behind another more-visible fly I could see where they were, and only had to watch for a strike behind the top fly. 

It worked.  I caught a trout on my first cast.  Woot.  And caught a bunch more as the morning progressed.  About noon a trout took the dry fly, so then I clipped off the dropper and fished with the dry fly only.

(http://i.imgur.com/sQNjcwX.jpg)

Excellent!!! Glad you're having a blast. :clap:

Nice info!   :clap:

Just keep having fun Chechem and keep the pics coming. Most times right now they are the highlight of our day. RTR!

Thanks, guys.

Just got home from fishing.  Good day; not as good as yesterday.
I saw a wild turkey and a Steller's Jay near the river this morning.  The jay hopped around in bushes watching me fish.  They look like this (from web):

(http://d2fbmjy3x0sdua.cloudfront.net/cdn/farfuture/Dq0Tdmg5gKa94zA8kIoq9mNHpKdJM5EZjsGZ0CZW4cQ/mtime:1422550095/sites/default/files/Steller%2527s_Jay_b57-3-076_l_1.jpg)

Man that is some super cool fun. I am thankful you're having fun but also thanks for sharing all this with us. Mrs Dottie says it almost feels like you're right there with those pics. My compliments and well done sir. E-cred to you. RTR!

It was raining when I drove home today.  I'll post fish pics later.
Some pics along river road:

(http://i.imgur.com/aTgLfmj.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/9DQ6cX4.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/rSvQ54y.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/PThC1ZJ.jpg)

Hey Chechem love the signs, lol. Well done sir. lol, RTR!

Best of Friday's fishies:

(http://i.imgur.com/gA6pOxJ.jpg?2)

(http://i.imgur.com/ieUgBld.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Mz4l7BG.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/mf02S0x.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Imc8qKm.jpg)

 :worship:

Wonderful pics.  I would love to go out there and fish sometime... In fact, On Thursday, May 25th my boss actually asked if I wanted to go out to Colorado Springs, CO to support the ICBM test that went off earlier this week.  I was thinking that if I did then perhaps I could meet up with you for a day of fishing.  Alas, at the last minute the boss told me that we were just going to support the mission from Huntsville...   :'(

You need a new boss.
And I'm not talking about the one at home! 
 ;)

 :lol: :lol: :lol:, that was a good one. Great pics Chechem ty for sharing again. As always they are magnificent cause we can see the real color. RTR!

May be.  I just hope he doesn't start to thinking that he needs a new IT guy that can travel...   :pray:

Saturday pics:

(http://i.imgur.com/tPF47T9.jpg)
Bronze statue celebrating kids growing up in Basalt, Colorado: railroad, fishing, and cowboys.

(http://i.imgur.com/yg5N0Qy.jpg)
Painted on side of gas station.  See anything odd?
BOTH MAN AND DOG CAUGHT THE FISH.

Saturday fishing.  The river rose 1.5' overnight as more water was released from the dam.  As a result, fishing was tough.  Still, we caught plenty (just fewer than usual).

The best of the fish:

(http://i.imgur.com/eQ5nv1n.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/fxITBqj.jpg)

Since Saturday fishing was slow, we tried some new pacles downstream in fast water:

(http://i.imgur.com/dusRc57.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/4AOFZW0.jpg)

Glad you still caught fish. When are you going to Yellowstone?

I leave here Wednesday for Jackson Hole.   :unsure:

Wow I have always wanted to live in Wyoming and be a cowboy. Today of course no way cause of my back but I grew reading about ranches out in the midwest and west. RTR!

Sounds romantic, doesn't it, Preacher?  A cowboy life...

 :worship:

Just like the cowboy life, today started out at daybreak.  Got to the river early, saw a beaver swimming around (no pics of that), and saw a Golden Eagle soaring along a mountain face.  Had my binoculars to watch the eagle.  Here's the river at sunrise:

(http://i.imgur.com/fCEN0Or.jpg?1)

Fish pics from Sunday (all Brown Trout):

(http://i.imgur.com/zGzSGgd.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ZZj1pfD.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/i8oMvqU.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/7son5kG.jpg)

That first one looked like it was pretty big.  :clap:

Yeah, it was.  You know how fishing goes; the fish runs all over the river, jumps, looks like a whale, and then you get a pic and say, "Hmm, he sure seemed bigger at the time."

(http://i.imgur.com/9VpsP6l.jpg?2)

(http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwisweb/graph?agency_cd=USGS&site_no=09080400&parm_cd=00060&period=7)

Here's the issue with fishing; water flow and height.  The water level now is so high that water is over the banks and into the surrounding trees.  

Yesterday morning it was about a foot higher.  Look at the pic above (cigar one).  Bottom left shows grass 12" underwater.  That was on the bank 2 days ago.

But, the fish are still there.  It's just a challenge!   :clap:

(http://i.imgur.com/9VpsP6l.jpg?2)

I'm surprised the cigar smoking didn't stunt his growth.  :lol2:

Hey Chechem is the fish practicing for the Tenn. game? RTR!

I'm working with children here!   :lol2:
Thanks for the input, 2 and Ricky.

Maybe it's not news for those who live out west, but here it is. 
MULE DEER HAVE THE BRAINS OF AN ASPARAGUS.
Almost daily they run ahead of the car instead of getting off the road.  They never learn.

(http://i.imgur.com/e6SWceX.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/BI2cDSH.jpg)

The new technique, fishing with streamers early and late in the day.  We had fun.
But the water level continues to increase, and it's up to my waist.  Not good.

Best of Monday's fishies:

(http://i.imgur.com/ys8R32X.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/6FcnnPA.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/9CjPoPo.jpg?1)
This is a "Leopard Rainbow Trout"; quite unusual.

That Rainbow Leopard Trout is quite impressive. Never seen one before.

Me either before last summer.

(http://i.imgur.com/whbpo09.jpg)

These amazing to us. The learning of the different fish and stuff is so great. I never saw any of these type fish and I bet out there they are probably as common as catfish here. Thanks Chechem. RTR!

Thanks, Ricky.

Here are today's pics (Tuesday).  I'm packing for tomorrow's travel.  Should be on the road by sunrise.

Today was excellent.  Despite the high water, I caught fish consistently, using the new techniques I learned, and fishing in deep water with double sinkers.

All are Brown Trout except the one labeled as a Rainbow trout.

(http://i.imgur.com/BeS90b2.jpg)
See how deep the water is; even the dandelions are drowning!

(http://i.imgur.com/VphcAod.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/sjKgjes.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/DnjPv8D.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/Fe8tpsE.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/IYU1Mmk.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/SmawUg7.jpg?2)
Rainbow Trout

Safe travels tomorrow, Chech. Keep on living the dream.  :worship:

That's why it's called RETIREMENT!
The next step is easier!!
 :lol2:

Retirement, the sequel?  :lol2:

Right. Fishing every day.  :unsure:

Wednesday's pic (just south of Jackson Hole, WY):

(http://i.imgur.com/zRAihaB.jpg)

Yellowstone Park.  I made it by sunrise on Thursday.  Lots of critters, and even caught a bunch of fish.  Here are the tourist shots:

(http://i.imgur.com/IEbhmdh.jpg)
Elk Bull.  Yellowstone Lake in the background

(http://i.imgur.com/crlt4iI.jpg)
He may have been asleep!

(http://i.imgur.com/xBKKFR8.jpg)
Elk bathing.

(http://i.imgur.com/H5dwEWK.jpg?1)
190 yards to the snow trap over the lake for 2's golfing.  There was a wolf on the ridge that we watched for 30 minutes (too far for decent pic).

More beautiful pics, Chech. I wonder if you have to use special balls, so's not to hit the critters?
 ???

 :lol2:  You'd need special balls okay!!   :lol2:

:lol:

Mrs Dottie and I are just swooning over the pics of the Elk and Buffalo. They are so beautiful my friend thank you so much. Mrs Dottie as you may know is part Cherokee and she loves the outdoors and animals. RTR!

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing! I read so many articles aboout the large crowds at our National Parks, what is the facts where you are?

57, the crowds are bad during late June-August.  Not bad at all now.

Preacher, if your little Cherokee loves wild animals, she'll love this one!

(http://i.imgur.com/UgpaBku.jpg?1)
Baby garter snake, just hatched.

(http://i.imgur.com/geylYOy.jpg?1)
Testy little varmint!!

(http://i.imgur.com/kKwZgUa.jpg)
Finally got on Hebgen Lake today with my boat.  This was the best of 6 this morning (Brown Trout).

Hey Chechem, Mrs Dottie said she liked animals not critters or whatever those things are.  :lol: :lol: Nice looking fish you got. RTR!

Just God's creature, Preacher, God's creature.   :unsure:

More great stuff, Chech. Thanks.  :clap:

Beautiful pics Chech, you are so blessed to be able see and enjoy such beauty. #+

Thanks, guys.

Here are some of today's pics (Saturday):

(http://i.imgur.com/LIKU0tW.jpg)
Rocky Mountain Sheep

(http://i.imgur.com/wi7xjXM.jpg)
This Mama bear (right) had 2 cubs; one at left.

(http://i.imgur.com/WQ53HVm.jpg)
The other cub was lost and cried for Mama.

(http://i.imgur.com/wn7Txew.jpg?1)
Strangest animals along the Madison River.  I think she lost the church.

(http://i.imgur.com/bwMX818.jpg)
Biggest flow over the Yellowstone Falls in years!

(http://i.imgur.com/pJcEwW3.jpg?2)
2 Grizzly Bears.  They are 2-3 miles away, atop a mountain in the Lamar Valley.  I found them with my telescope, then took a fuzzy pic through the telescope with my cell phone.  NO BEAR SPRAY NECESSARY.

(http://i.imgur.com/8CHHhVU.jpg?2)
Also through my telescope; Mama wolf (blonde at right; looking at you) and 3 pups (dark things).  There is a rock at left of the Mama and same color.  Use your imagination.  This took a lot of effort; wind kept blurring the pics and the Mama was asleep most of the time.

Final Saturday pic.  Days are long here.  After driving through snow, watching wolves and bears, I went fishing.  Caught several Brown Trout; this was the best (Madison River YNP):

(http://i.imgur.com/k8Ermxn.jpg?2)

Those pics are really exciting Chech.  I hope that some day I'll be able to take Mrs. Nalt out there to see some of that stuff... How much longer do you plan to be out there?

Man that is creation at it's best Chechem. I sure do thank you for sharing your adventures with us. RTR!

The scenery out there is spectacular, Chech. Really loving the critters too.
 :clap: :clap:

NALT, I'll be here until LF flies out to join me (June 29).  Then we'll do a tour of the area and visit friends.

Today (Sunday) followed 2 days of rain, which isn't common here during summer.  Last year there were lots of wildfires!

I caught a bunch of fish, and I'll download those pics soon.  But...

Anyhow, driving out from Hebgen Lake today, I came upon a Western Tanager bathing in a mud puddle.  Cool.  The road is pitiful, and full of holes.  Today each hole was a puddle.  

This is a beautiful bird, and one worthy of our attention.  I took the pic through the car windshield, so it's not great.  But you can tell how pretty it is.  
 :worship:

(http://i.imgur.com/4JqiCaM.jpg?2)

Sunday's best fish.  Caught a WHOLE MESS of Rainbow Trout today, mostly hogs:

(http://i.imgur.com/k00ALYK.jpg)
Brown Trout; only one I caught today.  Cool with the clouds as rays!

(http://i.imgur.com/6MKX2tQ.jpg)
Female Rainbow (see small mouth; I know, I know!).  :lol2:

(http://i.imgur.com/wbfUmPm.jpg)
Male Rainbow.

(http://i.imgur.com/0VWWM3H.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/BEMCRlG.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/FkWdSKw.jpg)

Wow a beautiful bird. Also those pics of the fish are exceptional. I know that has to be a lot of fun. RTR!

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DZOYBtyZPjg/Ue16lONHx6I/AAAAAAAAXAk/4FcoA9ToNhw/s1600/th_smiley_emoticons_kinggrin_anbeten.gif)

Monday.   :wave:
Heading to the lake this morning ahead of the rain, which should start about noon today.  Prediction is 'rain turning to snow tomorrow'.  Should be interesting!

Here's a fish I failed to post yesterday:

(http://i.imgur.com/T65TiQ1.jpg?2)
Lots of spots on this one.

That's a beautiful Rainbow you've got there. Snow in June, huh? I see you're in one of those places that only has 2 seasons; winter and the 4th of July.  :lol2:

Monday fishing. 
It's hailing outside now (on my new car), but the morning was good for fishing.  I caught 14 trout and 2 whitefish.  Here are the best ones:

(http://i.imgur.com/wp20rX2.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/uN0PBlF.jpg)
This one was 22" long.  Long and thin!

(http://i.imgur.com/6Ox5m29.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/yvBmtc3.jpg)
A fine brown trout (~ 3 lbs).

(http://i.imgur.com/It4gaBX.jpg)
Nice teeth.  Keep hands out!

(http://i.imgur.com/l48lgea.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/7MvdE0E.jpg)
Another huge rainbow; ~ 21".

(http://i.imgur.com/DqVLlDm.jpg)
These big rainbows run all over the lake, jump, and dive to the bottom.  Fun, fun.

Great job Chechem. RTR!

Thanks, Ricky. 
Snow tonight; rain and wind tomorrow.
Looks like we'll be playing tourist and watching bears tomorrow.

 :wave:

Tuesday:

No snow on the ground this morning, despite their forecast, even though it was snowing last night.  Glad that driving won't be an issue (except in the mountains).  It snows on Mount Washburn often during June, and we'll likely go over that pass today to get into the Lamar Valley.

Hope to see the grizzlies again.

(http://carolwimmer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Binoculars.jpg)

UPDATE:
It's snowing!

Tuesday report:

It snowed most of the day, but in most of the park it didn't stick to the roads.  There was a clear snow line at certain elevations; above everything was white; below just partial covering or none.

We drove through snow to enjoy seeing critters.  Here are pics of the best.  No sunshine, so some pics are not as clear as I'd like.

(http://i.imgur.com/ZkscktY.jpg)
Black Bear near Roosevelt (NE part of park).

(http://i.imgur.com/dQnffHq.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/UfzGTSi.jpg?1)
Sandhill Cranes near Roosevelt (4-5' tall).

(http://i.imgur.com/CIzR7dZ.jpg)
Lone bison in Lamar Valley (NE corner of park).  All snow in mountains.

(http://i.imgur.com/1aChTn2.jpg)
Coyote posing for "Lion King".  :lol2:  :lol2:

(http://i.imgur.com/Ao3orIU.jpg?2)
Frosty trees on the distant mountains (Lamar Valley).  Ricky will like the cross at right.  :worship:

(http://i.imgur.com/oOSHizQ.jpg)
Grizzly Bear near Gibbon Meadows.  She had 2 cubs, but they wouldn't come out and pose.

More Tuesday pics:

(http://i.imgur.com/JSev8Rp.jpg)
Pronghorn in Lamar Valley.

(http://i.imgur.com/1WDvinS.jpg)
LOTS of bison in Lamar Valley.

(http://i.imgur.com/J3d0RFg.jpg)
Lupines and other flowers (Lamar Valley).

Tuesday's best:

(http://i.imgur.com/is34q1X.jpg?2)

My fishing buddy thinks this one was an amazing photo.  The coyote was running when first we saw it.  Then it jumped up onto this boulder, and looked out across the valley.  It's an area where wolves have eliminated many of the coyotes, and we saw a wolf there last year.  Maybe the coyote was just 'looking over his shoulder'.
 :dunno:

(http://i.imgur.com/owQfMbf.jpg?2)

Beautiful pic of wild dog! might be worth blowing up and framing

Wow so beautiful that God could create such beauty and not get all the Praise for it. Thanks Chechem that is breathtaking. RTR!

that pic makes you wonder what was on  that coyotes mind

Thursday morning at Hebgen Lake.  LOTS of fish snapping.  I caught 15 trout; everyone caught fish!  These are all Rainbow Trout:

(http://i.imgur.com/Qh7Zmgd.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/zcujif2.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/i9nKMhz.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/qFSARyr.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/x7eTmjI.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/i9wlULX.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/SLiraDS.jpg)

I finally got online at home so I can see your pics.  Amazing.  Truly awesome.  I hope to go out there someday to see some of those places.  Thanks again for sharing them with us...

Friday pics.
Too windy to fish, so we went into the park to enjoy wildlife.  Excellent, but rainy, day.

(http://i.imgur.com/SlGyndM.jpg?1)
Moose cow and bull hidden in woods at right.

(http://i.imgur.com/7jD8wwn.jpg)
Stud

(http://i.imgur.com/4ImAz2E.jpg)
Stud roadblock.  They knew exactly what they were doing.

(http://i.imgur.com/KAmbsTj.jpg?1)
Young elk bull.

(http://i.imgur.com/7rjKPrs.jpg?2)
Mama grizzly and 2 cubs (thru telescope).

(http://i.imgur.com/SGpv8Sx.jpg?2)
Mama and cubs again.  Cub at right was even walking around on its back legs.  Here it holds on to a tree.

More Friday pics:

(http://i.imgur.com/1bJHSKp.jpg)
Thistle in Lamar Valley.

(http://i.imgur.com/4FQSeSZ.jpg)
There were 1000 bison in Lamar Valley.

(http://i.imgur.com/3YCd3Ev.jpg?3)
Mountain Goat far in distance and barely visible here.  Sorry, but cool.

(http://i.imgur.com/XcbfKn9.jpg?1)
Drive home through the rain.

Truly remarkable pics, Chech! Just breathtaking.

It's a winner winner situation for you Chech, the weather is too bad for fishing but then it gives you the time to search out all the wildlife and get those the wonderful pics. Maybe someday in the near future Mrs. J and I will take the time to travel out west and enjoy what you have shared with all of us. Thanks so much for sharing with us. :worship:  :hug:

Ditto.  I hope that some day Mrs. Nalt and I can go out there to see all of that...

Saturday was a good day at Hebgen Lake.  Check out these big boys:

(http://i.imgur.com/jymQrjP.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/elgghCB.jpg)

AND THE BIGGEST, BADEST:

(http://i.imgur.com/aJVr0BN.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/VIJwlJF.jpg)

SCORE!!!  #+ #+ #+

 #+ #+ #+

Wonderful pics.

Man Chechem I really thank God I have a friend to share such beauty with us. These pics are just so impressive. Mother nature reminds us daily of how Blessed we really are with her beauty. RTR!

(http://i.imgur.com/LgXwaDA.jpg)

We went into YNP just before dark yesterday, and saw this mother grizzly (BIG MAMA) and a full-grown cub.  It was almost dark, so most of the pics were worse than this one (blurry and poor focus).

They walked along the shore of the Madison River, just 100 yards away.  Enjoyed them for 30 minutes as they ripped up stumps and overturned logs foraging.

Sunday and Monday fish (CRS was down, so this is catching-up pics).  Caught 11 trout Sunday and 15 on Monday (14 more this morning).  Here are some of the best from Sunday and Monday:

(http://i.imgur.com/nRFtLIo.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/DjorUky.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/BedUHrN.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/XmbQOOf.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/TAOprUI.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/YYkaSS9.jpg?1)

(http://i.imgur.com/JrnGc5D.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/UF1aZh1.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/zWvp4YU.jpg?1)

Tuesday's best trout (of 14):

(http://i.imgur.com/3pmalaS.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/yBhrRjF.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/aZXFuxW.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/3qzxnPg.jpg)

Monday's 2 grizzly bears:

(http://i.imgur.com/REOsYfT.jpg)

They were looking at you, I see. I hope they weren't sizing up lunch.  :unsure:

Probably eyeing those 15 trout....   ;)

Chechem was eyeing them to get ready to run. RTR!

"Where did he get that magic stick that makes the fish jump into his hand?"

(http://i.imgur.com/tWTtyMB.jpg?1)

We were stuck in a herd of buffalo (I know: "bison") last night for 3 hours and 20 minutes.  Yes, that long.  Got home at midnight.  Crazy drivers wouldn't force the issue to get through them, so we were stuck among them.  By 11PM people were standing by their cars peeing; women too.  It was nuts!

At least we had a beautiful sunset last night and were at a location (Gibbon Meadows) to enjoy it.

(http://i.imgur.com/LsghFh0.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/21MGjiu.jpg)

Beautiful stuff Chech! The sunsets are gorgeous. Glad the fishing is still good.  :clap:

Thanks, 2.
The fishing gets better daily during June.  The rivers and lake were a bit high and cool when we started fishing here, but are lowering and warming now.  Water is 60 degrees in Hebgen Lake.  The warmer it gets the more insects hatch, and the more the trout snap them.

Back out there this morning.  My buddy's wife arrives tomorrow; no problem, she likes to fish too. 
 :lol2:

Very beautiful. With all the turmoil that goes on everyday it is great to see the true beauty left in America. Thanks Chechem. RTR!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skFWsc_-i14

Nice fish Chech, you've really had a good trip for the quality fish this year. Better keep a switch in your back pocket in case the bears get a little too close. ;)

Speaking of the bears getting too close, Chech texted me a video of a black bear that crossed the river right in front of them today. Unfortunately, I don't know how to post it. Maybe he'll have a chance to do that tonight. Absolutely awesome!!!

I guess Chech is fishing 24/7 now since we haven't seen any new posts. Anyway, I can't figure out how to post the video of the black bear crossing the river in front of them, but I did take a couple of screen shots from the video, that I was able to post below.

FAIL

Just heard from Chech. Got his hands full out west and probably won't be posting today.

OK thanks 2. RTR!

 #+

(http://i.imgur.com/3N9JnTO.jpg?1)

Heading into the park today.  I should have some good pics for you.

(http://i.imgur.com/YgXPKyf.jpg?1)
Waterfall along Soda Butte Creek

(http://i.imgur.com/vmCOHo1.jpg?1)
Our friends; traffic cops!

Beautiful waterfall.

(http://i.imgur.com/Rp6mYnO.jpg)
Balsamwood (yellow)

(http://i.imgur.com/X31Vmmx.jpg)
Beaver in Soda Butte Creek (snow melt = milky water)

(http://i.imgur.com/VHF49Zi.jpg)
Bear jam that blocked the road for 3 hours

(http://i.imgur.com/DRIBFYM.jpg)
Cinnamon Teal

(http://i.imgur.com/O7Ne8hQ.jpg)
Gadwalls (ducks)

(http://i.imgur.com/30xCuXH.jpg)
Grizzly Cub near Tower (YNP); purple flowers are lupines

(http://i.imgur.com/RKKh1Sm.jpg?2)
Black Bear near Pebble Creek.  There was this Mama and a big (2nd year) cub.

Good stuff, Chech!!!  :clap:

Wow great stuff Chechem. Thanks so much. The flowers out there are beautiful. I have to say the Bison picks are super good because they came so close one time to extinction. RTR!

Those really are cool pics.  Thanks for sharing them Chech...  #+ #+ #+

Chech and 2, remember the guy that came and talked with us last year when we were in P'cola fishing?  My friend the Gator?  He posted this pic over on the Gator board.  Not sure where it was taken but still...

(http://cdn.inquisitr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Shark-Highway.jpg)

Looks like maybe in some of the recent flood waters.

LOL
Looks like a baby whale shark.

Saturday afternoon along Madison River (elk cow):

(http://i.imgur.com/JbK9upm.jpg)


Saturday along Firehole River:

(http://i.imgur.com/VwdImy1.jpg)

Innerwebs are still out at Chech's hotel, but he sent me some pics to post, so here we go!

...

Hey! I been waiting for new pics!  I can not seem to get the new ones to open?

Hmm.... I'm seeing them fine. Is anyone else having trouble seeing them?

My bad! Thanks for posting the GREAT Pics! My problem was with an extension in using google chrome

Good deal! I thought it may have had something to do with Photobucket. Their website is crap.

Thanks 2.

We're in Gardiner, Montana now, Saturday July 1st (with wifi).  

LF and I drove through YNP today, and saw some cool critters and flowers.  Some of these were a few days ago.

(http://i.imgur.com/IIZGUWU.jpg)
Uinta Ground Squirrel

(http://i.imgur.com/LJcafKq.jpg)
Gibbon River Meadows

(http://i.imgur.com/wpuqnVa.jpg)
Black Bear cub

(http://i.imgur.com/t3TFFCd.jpg?2)
Yellow-headed Blackbird in Lamar Valley

(http://i.imgur.com/nxJdtXW.jpg)
Pronghorns among the Bison

(http://i.imgur.com/zcHsW48.jpg)
Osprey bathing in the Gibbon River

(http://i.imgur.com/00lAvIU.jpg)
Beaver in Soda Butte Creek

Some of the best trout from Hebgen Lake during the last 3 days (Wednesday-Friday).  I caught at least 6 each day, all 18-22 inches:

(http://i.imgur.com/DEnjV1Z.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/EmBXTyy.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/qMLSzSQ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/LrhXJYV.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/2wWzxYE.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/IL9KCkE.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/lGRc1oZ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/WTnO8EM.jpg)

Great pics, great catch!!!  #+

Awoke this morning (Sunday) to a dozen elk in our yard.  That's my car in the first pic:

(http://i.imgur.com/52awgci.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/7jueCGy.jpg?1)

Really nice pics.  I wish so badly that I could go out there to see that much wildlife.  We see lots of white-tail deer, raccoons, opossum, etc. here at our house but it gets to the point where if you've seen 100 deer then you seen, well, 100 deer... :yawn:

Thanks again for sharing your trip with us... #+ #+ #+

Wish you and the family could be here too, NALT.  Just incredible.
Make a plan; set a goal...

Man those Elk are are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. RTR!

Sunday's pics in YNP:

(http://i.imgur.com/K1YJWW7.jpg)
Family of marmots on Sheepeater Cliffs

(http://i.imgur.com/beKmpV5.jpg)
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

(http://i.imgur.com/gCLS3RZ.jpg)
Salmonfly; a type of stonefly that trout LOVE to eat.  They were hatching along the Gardner River, and this one posed on my steering wheel.

Good stuff!

Looks like Whac-a-mole.

Wow never seen anything like those. RTR!

Thanks, guys.

We went into the park today (Monday) after breakfast.  First we stopped at Mammoth Hot Springs:
(http://i.imgur.com/p21MyqC.jpg)

Then off to Blacktail Plateau (near Roosevelt).  Meadows of lupines:
(http://i.imgur.com/265UJ7I.jpg)

We saw 5 different bears today; all black bears.  Here is one that was close enough for me to photograph (near a pond):
(http://i.imgur.com/MapqrPh.jpg?3)

Then he sat up and watched us:
(http://i.imgur.com/0lwbMjt.jpg?1)

It doesn't get any better than that, Chech. How close are the Mammoth Hot Springs to Old Faithful?

Chech, love your pics!!! :worship:

Wow love the pic of the Hot Springs. RTR!

~ 40 miles

Just got back from a ride in the park with LF.  Saw lots:

(http://i.imgur.com/sn7zvnw.jpg)
First thing this morning I went to the Gardner River and caught 4 Brown Trout.

(http://i.imgur.com/ZrSCCrR.jpg)
Female (ewe) Bighorn Sheep

(http://i.imgur.com/WRqbo1e.jpg?1)
Avocets (notice upturned bills).

(http://i.imgur.com/Thmm5zH.jpg)
Western Tanager (like the one seen earlier in a mud puddle).

(http://i.imgur.com/SGvDPwQ.jpg)
Mama Cinnamon Bear too close to Chechem for comfort.

(http://i.imgur.com/5ZbUkm6.jpg)
Baby bear went up a tree.

Looks like you can't sling a dead cat there without hitting a bear.  :lol2:

I'll try that.   :clap:

Wednesday report:

Well, I thought I'd have to wait until August to fish the Lamar River.  But today it was there.  The fish were biting.  I caught 20 cutthroat trout.

(http://i.imgur.com/wZmuBf5.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/k23SEv7.jpg)

Wow! Great job with the fishing! Glad you had a good day.

Thanks.
The day got better when a bull elk crossed the road in front of us:

(http://i.imgur.com/LswNwSU.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/7JYC6jZ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/mzPFy9U.jpg)

AND there was a cute ground squirrel:

(http://i.imgur.com/RUcXaxQ.jpg)

That elk was proud of himself, eh?  :lol2:

Indeed he was.
But that snout-uplifted behavior was directed at another bull elk in a meadow nearby.
"Don't mess with Big Boy".
:lol:

Those are some big beautiful creatures. I hope our wildlife never get low. RTR!

Well, the skunks and badgers are pretty lowly. 
 :unsure:

Thursday report:

My son's FIL and I went to Lamar Valley to fish the Lamar River again.  He hadn't been flyfishing before, so I set him up with flies and my net.

I've NEVER seen fishing like that.  About 10AM the fish starting snapping at drifting insects on the water; fish snapping all over.  Catching would have been easy even for 2! 
 :lol2:

I spent time helping FIL, but despite that I caught 34 Cutthroat Trout.  FIL caught 5, even though he spent almost an hour untangling a spaghetti-like tangle.

Fun stuff!

(http://i.imgur.com/ir7rigf.jpg?1)

Thursday addendum:

Forgot to mention that we saw a Black Bear this morning.  That makes 31 bears I've seen in YNP.  Wow.

We were fishing along the Lamar River this morning when I saw a large grizzly coming down the hill toward the river.  It was lumbering along, and hadn't seen us.  I called to my buddy, who had our bear spray, and he came to sit on a log with me.  We watched.  Our plan was to let it get its drink of water at the river, then yell and hope it left rather than cross the river to eat us.

It disappeared behind a hill, and we waited.  When it reappeared over the hill, just 200m from us, it had morphed into a bison.

 :-[

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGJzcIY71gz4D-Xh4TZVZilsFWHRX5Ncwb-FpvEU7eErI8sM_u)

What I meant was, 'if you're not going to the wedding, come join me fishing the Lamar River'!

 :dunno:

 :lol2: Don't tease me, bro!

Friday report:

Last day fishing, so I headed out into the Lamar Valley at sunrise.
(http://i.imgur.com/HDH0qCL.jpg?1)

I stopped periodically to look for 2's bears, and despite not having a dead cat I saw a bear.  It was a grizzly high up on the mountain in a meadow.  I tried for a pic through my telescope; not too good (he's looking at you):
(http://i.imgur.com/l3RWoHd.jpg?2)

A HUGE bison herd was right where I needed to walk to my streams.  I managed to weave through them, and took pics:
(http://i.imgur.com/DzjowT4.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/lheAb6T.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/puprruz.jpg)

The fish were waiting.  I caught 37 cutthroat trout.  Yes, 2, wish you'd been there.
(http://i.imgur.com/bEF6SKR.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/NFiEmAe.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/X1yDthb.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/taDloiJ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/jxBEVoL.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/A1XBaqR.jpg)

I had one of those run into the road as I was riding a bicycle downhill at 45 mph in Colorado... he had the right of way on that day.

(https://i.imgur.com/1Bik15R.jpg)

Chech sent this to me and asked me to post it for him. Is that a double rainbow?

interesting pic

I saw a beautiful double rainbow one time, playing golf in Sarasota. I think that's the only time I've ever seen one.

Thanks 2. Yes it was a double. My phone filters out glare so it didn't show up as vividly as in person. That pic was looking east from our rental house toward a horse farm.

I'll send 2 some pics from the Beartooth Mountains and ask if he can post them.

We had lunch in Red Lodge, Montana with Bob, a fishing buddy.

He told us that his friend hit a fawn recently that crossed the road behind a doe.

Wouldn't you know, One mile south of Bearcreek MT a doe crossed the road in front of us and I I slowed because of the story. Suddenly a fawn appeared and I slammed on brakes. The boat and everything in back slid forward, but we and the fawn are okay.

Same thing happened same way a few hours later near Rock Springs. Geez!!

Glad all is ok. Hope the rest of the trip is less exciting that way. RTR!

Looks like you're having a great time. Gorgeous country!

Yep, enjoying retirement.
I'll send 2 some more pics today.

When I see these pics and I see the snow on the ground that really amazes me especially at this time of the year. RTR!

Just now getting caught up with seeing the pics on this thread.  Our phone/internet has been down for a week now and they just got it back working today.  Would love to see them while at work but our wonderful Big Brother blocks most of the sites that host pics, including Chech's.  Anyways, I love all of those pics of the wildlife and the wild flowers are absolutely beautiful.  I hope you guys made it home safely too Chech...

Thos people use to live there and make a living. They were free to obey the law of the land and now if you look I didn't see any people standing there in the homes with opening. It is kind of sad to me. Well done Chechem and thanks 2 for posting. RTR!

Flaming Gorge, UTAH:

(http://i.imgur.com/mP93EXw.jpg)

We got to Arches National Park at midday.  It was 105, and later reached 106 degrees.  No wind.  Like an oven!

(http://i.imgur.com/ZrIwozi.jpg)

Most of our pics were from the car.  The arches are gigantic, as you can see in the pic with a person standing inside one at right.  Here are some of the sights:
(http://i.imgur.com/5aeTsSG.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/bbNWREQ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/p6QYijo.jpg)





One of the neatest places in Arches NP was a series of petroglyphs along a wall.  I convinced LF to get out of the car to walk a short way to see them.  I'd seen them a few years ago.  They were done by some ancestors of the modern Indians.
(http://i.imgur.com/T7vXe6n.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/SIuEwzb.jpg)

Canyonlands National Park is a bunch of mesas overlooking the Colorado River and its erosion canyons.  Much like Grand Canyon NP.

(http://i.imgur.com/ZvKKB7T.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/W8IE36Y.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/d1kh42Z.jpg)

As we left the park I saw a gopher snake dead in the road.  Some dope ran over it.  Beautiful snake, 5-6' long (as seen with my shoe as a measuring rod).  We used to catch those in Louisiana when I was a kid!

(http://i.imgur.com/zaddvUV.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/eNrZLdr.jpg)

Outstanding pics, Chech!!! Thanks for posting. You had an adventure of a lifetime for most people.  :clap:

Thanks, 2.
Just a car ride away; hop in and go!  Amazingly easy.

 :dunno:

Truly are some amazing pics.  Thanks for sharing your trip with us...

For 2 months? Not too many people can do that.  :worship:

Even a week is well worth it. 
My first trip to Yellowstone was when my son was 9.  We had a wonderful father-son camping trip.  YNP is a place of wonderment for a kid!  Big kids too.
 :lol2:

Addendum pics:

We saw Marmots high up in the Beartooth Mountains (above 12,000').  Cute little furry critters that have a face reminiscent of Hugh Freeze.
(http://i.imgur.com/egZ0VPl.jpg)

When in Arches NP we visited a site where John Wolfe, who'd been injured during the Civil War, built a "ranch".  He and his son lived there starting in 1888.  Later his daughter, her husband, and their children moved to the ranch.  Shocked at the primitive conditions, she convinced her father to build a new cabin with a wood floor.  No idea how they all survived there (limited water, no grazing land, hot as blazes).
(http://i.imgur.com/j9HStG6.jpg)

I explained that we fished daily on Hebgen Lake in Montana.  Our boats were inflatable, and they had to be "built" daily before fishing.  Mine fit into my car when deflated.  Here are pics of me and the boat on Hebgen to show how it works:
(http://i.imgur.com/NpK1Doz.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Md8UPkT.jpg)

Been sneaking you e-creds for the pics, Have another! I've really enjoyed seeing them.  #+

 :worship: :worship:

Mystery solved.  I posted the pic above back in May (Colorado).  I finally found the flower.  It is "Evening Primrose"; Oenothera caespitosa.

Here is a better pic:

(http://southwestdesertflora.com/WebsiteFolders/Images/Onagraceae/Oenothera%20caespitosa,%20Tufted%20Evening%20Primrose/7718Oenothera-caespitosa-Tufted-Evening-Primrose700x464.jpg)

AUGUST

Back in Montana for the late-summer fishing after 1765 miles of driving in 2 days.  I'll post pics IF I catch anything! 
 :lol2:

(http://pictures.richardhealey.com/pictures/original/p227_sign.jpg)

I'm sure if you tell the fish that you drove 1765 miles in 2 days they will feel sorry for you and let you catch them... :-X

Monday summary:

It rained, so we didn't go to the lake for fishing.  Instead we spent the day in Yellowstone NP looking for bears and other cool critters.  Best sighting was a grizzly bear that had killed a bull elk.  He was sitting and guarding the elk alongside the Yellowstone River.  He ate and slept there all day (while we watched).  Really cool, but was 400 yards away (pic is through our telescope).  The elk is lying in the river; its antlers sticking up at right:

(http://i.imgur.com/uPJtAPF.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/gIfFeac.jpg)

Another Monday pic; Trumpeter Swan.  This one was in the Firehole River,

(http://i.imgur.com/OPfEYKX.jpg)

Nothing like getting rained out with nothing to do or see.  :lol2:

Good stuff!  :clap:

Wow the animal life goes on and they show us how God created a lot of beauty in them. RTR!

 #+Thanks for sharing your adventures!

Tuesday summary:

It was cool and very foggy after the rain, so we decided to explore first and fish later.  We returned to the elk carcass, and saw the big Grizzly Bear walking around near the dead elk.  The bear kept disappearing into the fog.  Finally it left the elk and walked toward a nearby tree-covered hill, where it disappeared.  We couldn't tell where it was or where it intended to go, so we thought we should leave before we became the next kill.
 :o

We drove to the Lamar Valley, and were watching a herd of bison.  I happened to look behind us, and a Pronghorn was right there, not 20 yards away!

(http://i.imgur.com/ffh1pKs.jpg)

The Lamar River looked like chocolate milk from all the rain, so we tried fishing Slough Creek.  Just small trout there.

Today it's cold (34 degrees) and clear, so we're definitely going to the lake.  Big trout await!

Wow? 34 degrees that draws my attention in August. RTR!

I hope you had your bear spray handy, Chech.  :unsure:

The wildlife up there is something to behold.

Wednesday's fish (caught 9 trout and 2 whitefish).  Here are the best:

(http://i.imgur.com/Qwv90aA.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Znv8pCX.jpg)

Now you're talking!  :clap:

Thursday update.

Lots of snapping trout on Hebgen.  Here are the best 2 I caught today:

(http://i.imgur.com/cfVS2lN.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/vYmG8fY.jpg)

Those trout are beautiful.  They would make a fine supper too... (http://bullgatorslounge.com/images/smilies/eat.gif)

Chech, I helped an agent with his certifications today that loves fly fishing as much as you do. Unfortunately, he doesn't sell enough insurance because he loves fly fishing as much as you do.  :lol2:

I'll pray for him. :lol:

It's late and we're at a bar awaiting dinner.

We watched a grizzly today for an hour. Pics will be posted after fishing tomorrow. Also pics of the fish.

Sounds like a 2/Chech hybrid... (http://bullgatorslounge.com/images/smilies/fear.gif)

Sounds like you are having a blast. Is this Mrs with you out there this time? RTR!

Looking forward to the bear pics. and hopefully some fish pics, as well. I found a pic of Miss Ditsy. I doubt seriously that she, or anyone she knows has ever been on this site, so here goes:

(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16299276_10154394592286242_271924445706851864_n.jpg?oh=4f908b38e670fe4626eea0a3473073d8&oe=5A260321)

Yep, I'd agree.   :unsure:

Saturday report:

More good fishing this morning, but nothing tops the afternoon we had yesterday.  We spotted a grizzly walking along the Yellowstone River, and we watched for over an hour as he strolled along, swam, sat to relax, and ignored us.

(http://i.imgur.com/AtjJ0NZ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/JV3BUuq.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/lb8t3xA.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/70ukxyx.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/T39af0D.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/CJBcEyo.jpg)

Not a good pic, but here's documentation anyhow.  A coyote started following the bear as we watched.  It may be a symbiotic relationship, whereby the coyote gets a bit of the grizzly kill.

(http://i.imgur.com/zQfniIE.jpg)

Here are some of the best trout from yesterday and today (all Rainbow Trout).

(http://i.imgur.com/iXDD08z.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/tv614pk.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/o5LbYMx.jpg)

You're living the dream, buddy. Very cool about the Grizzly. Nice fish, too.

The bear pics are awesome, especially the one of the elk in the water with the bear sitting on the bank. The food cycle is an awesome thing in the wild, just look at the coyote getting his place in line for a meal.  :worship:

Cool pics Chech.  2, Miss Ditsy doesn't look ditsy at all.  But she is from South Carolina though...

You prove with your pics Chechem how beautiful God's creation truly is, and I thank you so much. It just brings smiles to our face to see the beauty. RTR!

VERY WELL said.  Ecred worthy...

Sunday update:

Thanks for all the kind words, guys.  Well said, Preacher.

As usual, we fished Hebgen Lake today.  The fish were biting better than usual, and everyone caught fish (all 6 of our group; all in separate float boats).  The biggest one below took all of the floating line off my reel, right to the backing.  That's about 120-130 yards of line!  Good fight.

(http://i.imgur.com/IEIHDK3.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/IvDFYxR.jpg)

We saw 2 otters in the lake today, plus a bald eagle that sat in a dead tree and watched us.  No doubt it wanted fish too! 
 :unsure:

Nice fish! Lots of fight in that big one.

Monday update (eclipse day):

Best day this trip.  I had 6 fish in the net within the first half hour.  Steady fishing all day, eclipse and all.  Caught 18 fish in the 6 hours on the lake, then we had a picnic on the beach.  Good day for sure!

(http://i.imgur.com/BBaEVdn.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/YtQeFjU.jpg)
Top one is a rainbow; bottom is a brown trout.

Apparently, the eclipse made them hungry. Nice job!

Yeah, we had a discussion about whether they'd feed more during the eclipse, like they do at twilight daily.  Apparently they weren't fooled, and their activity seemed to slow at the climax of the eclipse.  We had 5 "boats" in a small area, and I don't think anybody caught one while it was dark.  Once the eclipse ended they started biting again.

Tuesday update:

Just back from the lake.  The burgers are on the grill, so I decided to post pics of the BIG BROWN TROUT I caught today.  Caught lots of others, but this was the biggest.  Compare the 2 pics.  The smaller one pictured is about 3 pounds.  This was 5 pounds; a biggie.  My hand doesn't even fit around the big one.  What a fight it was too!

(http://i.imgur.com/C7VjJJW.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/omW3lqE.jpg)

That is one huge trout. Looks like the biggest you've caught including last trip, right?

 :clap: man I bet you had some fun with that one. RTR!

Biggest one this trip, but not as big as the rainbow caught on the FryingPan River.
Maybe today I break the record!

Go get em, Tiger!

Wow, nice fish!!!! #+

Wednesday update:

Caught another big brown trout today, plus some fine rainbows.  Ten fish total; good day.

(http://i.imgur.com/g6PbWQ0.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/lIsgrAX.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/1e6E7l2.jpg)

What's it like livin' the dream?  :wave:

Just a little bit of heaven, my friend.
 :-*

Well, go catch some more. Hopefully, no more thunderstorms.

Hammer down Chechem. I am looking for pics of Bigfoot that you get. RTR!

Boy, I hope not, Preacher. I don't think he has any Sasquatch spray with him.  :unsure:

Thursday update:

Good day fishing and catching.  I caught 8 good trout, some nice and big.  Not many photos, because it was overcast much of the time and not pic-worthy.  Here's a sampling:

(http://i.imgur.com/8mBZTLy.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/OLQg0V2.jpg)

Tomorrow we plan to go into the park and fish the Lamar River.  If so I'll take some animal pics for you (besides fish).  I know looking at fish is getting tiresome.
 :dunno:

Send them all. As NALT said, we're living vicariously through you.  :popcorn2:

Okay.  BTW, here's a web pic of the Lamar River:

(http://www.yellowstone.co/images/rivers/lamar2.jpg)

Beautiful!

Wow, that is breathtaking. I don't see how you can fish for looking at all the beauty around you. I see your pics and I think about the deserts over in the Middle East and blessed we are to live in such a beautiful country. RTR!

 #+

Friday update:

We fished the Lamar Valley, which is full of bison.  We were delayed several times with them RIGHT IN THE ROAD.  Good day until the lightning and rain came.  It was a mile walk to the river, so we started back when lightning started, and got caught by heavy rain and wind squalls before reaching the car.  All good for an adventure.  We had raincoats.

(http://i.imgur.com/iQtxSzM.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/RsrvorH.jpg)
Wolf tracks along the river.

(http://i.imgur.com/INMXh6a.jpg)
My buddy.

(http://i.imgur.com/ztp24pm.jpg)
Cutthroat Trout.

Nice pics. Nothing like a bossy bison, eh?  :lol2:

:o

More Friday pics (Lamar Valley, YNP):

(http://i.imgur.com/I1mq8fi.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/TW0B4BD.jpg)
Fog over Soda Butte Creek.

(http://i.imgur.com/WlgtjP7.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/HdXH4ti.jpg)
Racing across the prairie ahead of the storm.

Saturday update (Hebgen Lake, Montana).  I caught 11 trout and a whitefish:

(http://i.imgur.com/Y555s1Y.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/KIEEH54.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/06bsQkS.jpg)

I was right, you did go fishing.  :clap:

Fixed!

 :lol:

Sunday update:

Beautiful day on Hebgen Lake.  It was 34 this morning, then warmed to 84 this afternoon.  I didn't catch as many fish as yesterday, but all 5 of the Rainbow Trout I caught were biggies.  Here is a sampling:

(http://i.imgur.com/AquDzyN.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/nTeALYB.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/gmTczi7.jpg)

Wow 34 to 84 is great temperature change. Be safe Chechem. RTR!

Nice fish. Quality over quantity yesterday, eh?

Monday update:

Yes, another 'quality over quantity' day.  I caught 4 fish by 7:30, then only a whitefish after that.  So we came home early to have a big lunch.  Yum!

Added a netted fish for diversity.  Hey, I'm sure you're all tired of seeing a fish in the hand.
 :unsure:

(http://i.imgur.com/tCPGPqi.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/6vCT8Sp.jpg)
First fish; a biggie.

(http://i.imgur.com/eT4aH3J.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Opn9CVI.jpg)

Beautiful fish there Chech.  Just curious though, since we always see the left side of all the fish you catch, are those actually "Floundertrout?"

Corny, I know... :-[

I'll try to hold one upside down for you.  :lol2:

 :lol: :lol: :lol:

Tuesday update.

It was a BIG day.  We were heading into the park for fishing the Lamar River, and started by seeing a black bear on Dunraven Pass.  Cool, but not a great pic.  Then we got to the Lamar Valley and spotted 3 wolves along a hilltop, set up the telescope and got pics of the one watching us.  Then we saw pronghorns, lots of bison, a bald eagle, and caught a bunch of fish.  What a day!

(http://i.imgur.com/dRTNfJn.jpg)
Gray Wolf

(http://i.imgur.com/I36wq97.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/KXB91QE.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/pVz4x0x.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/Rk1uYPQ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/GMDUH7O.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/EIIM6cQ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/adhxgx6.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/5pTHNee.jpg)
These are cutthroat trout (see the blaze of crimson)

(http://i.imgur.com/j9gE5nP.jpg)
NALT said I only photograph the left side of my fish.  Here!

(http://i.imgur.com/P4O0pDp.jpg)

Great pics, Chech. The pic of the wolf looks like a portrait.

Man that was great. Mrs Dottie and I really enjoyed those Chechem. Thanks a lot. RTR!

Wednesday update:

Thanks for the kind words, Preacher.  And thanks to you also, 2.

Today was excellent.  This morning was calm and sunny, and the fish cooperated.  I caught 7 trout and 2 whitefish.  Two of the trout were real biggies:

(http://i.imgur.com/8GYCvG4.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/aPhDtnK.jpg)

Wow, that is a handful of fish. They would be some good fighters I bet in that running stream. RTR!

Thursday update:

Yep, Preacher, those are great fish to fight.  They run hard, jump, and run again.

Great day on the lake today.  There were 4 bald eagles (2 adults and 2 juveniles) eating a fish on the beach.

I caught 12 whitefish today (pics of the ugly things).  They don't even get into my net.  I just release them from below the boat.  Also caught some nice trout (pics).

(http://i.imgur.com/q31vOuY.jpg)
Juvenile Bald Eagle.

(http://i.imgur.com/w1vdLC4.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/zTQzJ18.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/fVSdkir.jpg)
Mountain Whitefish

(http://i.imgur.com/1iuA5fS.jpg)
Caught 2 whitefish at once!

(http://i.imgur.com/A6AFY7s.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/CdbxKwH.jpg)

Banner day, Chech. Nice pics of the eagles.

Just getting the chance to catch up on the pics. It has been a few days...  :worship: :worship: :worship: 

Awesome catch Chech.  I also love the wildlife pics.  Amazing...

Thanks, NALT.   :worship:

Friday update:

Slower fishing today than usual, but we had fun nevertheless.  It was cool this morning (39), but warmed to the 80s by 1PM. 

The eagles were swooping around the lake, and an osprey was diving on fish.  Also saw a flock of avocets (web pic, because they didn't come close to me).

http://animalsadda.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Avocet-2.jpg
Avocets (web)

(https://i.imgur.com/WlHpBWI.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/WatGeba.jpg)

Saturday and Sunday updates:

Saturday was a beatdown of #3 FSU.  Roll Tide.  :clap:

Sunday was great; 8 trout into the net and numerous others escaped.  Also, there were 4 Bald Eagles sitting in a tree watching us all morning.  Here are some Rainbow Trout:

(https://i.imgur.com/VywBZTQ.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/hMBBGu5.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/zGGqQH4.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/OMBCf73.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/QkiJBQS.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/NCrFCdF.jpg)

Kinda think the last fish pic kinda favors Jimbo.... :dunno:

Jimbo doesn't have that much hair. Oh, wait..........

 :lol:

Most similarly, neither the fish nor Jimbo has a QB.   :dunno:

I hate that about Francois. I think they still would've had a chance at the playoffs, even with the loss to us. I would say that's out of the question now.

I think they could possibly still make the playoffs.  Not sure of their QB ability at this point though.

Monday Holiday Update:

It's smoky in YNP now, due to all of the wildfires in Montana.  Real smoky and smelly!
Nevertheless, we fished in Hebgen and caught some nice fish.  Here are the biggest:

(https://i.imgur.com/lcNKeZV.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ku2QsTl.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/IMoMlkL.jpg)

 #+ Chechem it is so cool to see those pics. I often wonder what would you all do if one of the big fires broke out or something? Would you leave or do you usually have a protected place to stay? RTR!

Preacher, that's why I have you and your prayers!   :lol2:

Tuesday update:

We spent the day in the Lamar Valley of YNP.  We wanted to find wolves, so we left the motel at 6AM.  By 7:30 we'd found a single wolf lying beside a river (Soda Butte Creek).  It was too far to get a good photo, so we moved to a new location and found 3 black Gray Wolves.  They were also lying down near a river (Lamar River).  We set up the telescope and watched for an hour.  Apologies for the fuzzy pics:

(https://i.imgur.com/LBVpKjS.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/6qp1plt.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/e37MXwA.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/gGS1Ovc.jpg)

Then we went fishing.  A herd of bison came at us and crossed the river while we fished (we stop for nothing).  We caught a bunch of cutthroat trout, and I even got some underwater pics:

(https://i.imgur.com/rWdrfWt.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/iS4T82C.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/KKrQQON.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/XZwCf6H.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/hI7ZMDx.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/7szXsJt.jpg)

Those are great pics, Chech. Very nice!

Wednesday update.

Nice trout caught during the morning, and some good critters during the afternoon.  Enjoy.

(https://i.imgur.com/hhxqLDA.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/fKPLYbs.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/FHcbGnS.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/FTc4DtM.jpg)
Mule Deer

(https://i.imgur.com/SH0TM2D.jpg)
Mama elk

 :o, Chechem those last pics of the wolves, deer, and bison are just so beautiful. Kind of like nature in her full bloom. RTR!

More good pics! Don't know what I'd enjoy more, the fishing or just watching the wildlife.

I agree with both of the two previous posts.  Awesome photos...  #+

THE END

???  No more fishing trips?   :dunno:

Not in 2017.
Stay tuned!  Just a few weeks away!!