[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”23″ gal_title=”july 6 top of the world”]
July 6, 2016
Good afternoon!! Just returned from a great hike in the Pike National Forest in Buffalo Creek, Colorado!! Before I delve into the highlights of today’s morning workout and adventure, I want to update you on the river conditions from Decker’s through the Confluence. At 12:45 this afternoon, the flow out of Cheesman was 260 (cfs) and 393 (cfs) in Trumbull. Right now it’s a toasty 84 degrees with plenty of sunshine and a nice breeze!! On the fishing side of things, the dry-flies, trico’s in particular are starting to show up in numbers, but the caddis will continue to be going off strong through July. Check with the guys at Flies and Lies http://www.flies-n-lies.com daily, as they really have the “scoop” on what consistently works best!
I’ve just done some photo-editing of the pictures from today’s hike! We started out this morning on a forest road off of Jefferson County road 126, in Buffalo Creek, Colorado. In beginning of the hike this morning, we were originally intending to hike along the service road to the once very popular campground area know as “Top of the World.” However, once we reached our destination we decided that we would continue down the valley and intersect with the Colorado Trail. Roughly, about an hour or so later, we connected with trail and continue to climb south through the valley. While resting at the “Top of the World” former camping area, we were able to take in 360 degree views of the mountains to our west, which included Green, Little Scraggy, the slightly larger “Scraggy” and in the distance to the north-west is Mount Evans. The area that we hiked today is also in recovery from wildfire. On the afternoon of May 18, 1996 an unattended campfire near Wellington Lake in the Pike National Forest started the Buffalo Creek fire. As the fire grew, driven east by high winds, residents of Buffalo Creek and nearby Spring Creek were evacuated. The fire spread rapidly toward Jefferson County Highway 126, which runs north from Decker’s through Buffalo Creek and Pine to U.S. Highway 285. In spite of the determined efforts of fire fighters, the fire jumped the road, burning structures at the edge of Buffalo Creek and threatening homes in Spring Creek. By Tuesday, the fire had burned a path ten miles long and two miles wide, destroying 18 homes or other structures. The blaze continued east, until it stopped at the South Platte River. Tomorrow, we will be hiking the burn scar area of the Hayman fire that took place in the S.Platte valley in 2002. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from today’s hike. Have a great day and do something outdoors today!
Chef Chris
Lazy Days
fishing reportJuly 7, 2016
Good morning and welcome back!!! It’s a great day to be outdoors today, so I’m going to give you a quick river conditions report and I’m off to hike the foothills! Just a few moments the river flow out of Cheesman dam was 253 (cfs) and 358 (cfs) at the Trumbull station. We remained rain and storm free yesterday, allowing the river to remain running clear as we head into the weekend. After yesterday’s hike, I was pretty wore out, so I decided that simply sitting by the river and watching the fish was my best option for the evening. From about 6:30 to about 8, I sat by the river and watched as day turned to evening and the buffet on the surface was open for business. It was quick and ferocious, but for about fifteen minutes it was as if a school of piranha had arrived to feed!! Right now it’s a cool 55 degrees in the valley with a forecast high of 88! I’ll be reporting back this evening with some great pictures from today’s hike! Have a great day and remember to do something kind for someone else today
Chris
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Top of the World
camping, Fishing Conditions, fishing report, hiking[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”23″ gal_title=”july 6 top of the world”]
July 6, 2016
Good afternoon!! Just returned from a great hike in the Pike National Forest in Buffalo Creek, Colorado!! Before I delve into the highlights of today’s morning workout and adventure, I want to update you on the river conditions from Decker’s through the Confluence. At 12:45 this afternoon, the flow out of Cheesman was 260 (cfs) and 393 (cfs) in Trumbull. Right now it’s a toasty 84 degrees with plenty of sunshine and a nice breeze!! On the fishing side of things, the dry-flies, trico’s in particular are starting to show up in numbers, but the caddis will continue to be going off strong through July. Check with the guys at Flies and Lies http://www.flies-n-lies.com daily, as they really have the “scoop” on what consistently works best!
I’ve just done some photo-editing of the pictures from today’s hike! We started out this morning on a forest road off of Jefferson County road 126, in Buffalo Creek, Colorado. In beginning of the hike this morning, we were originally intending to hike along the service road to the once very popular campground area know as “Top of the World.” However, once we reached our destination we decided that we would continue down the valley and intersect with the Colorado Trail. Roughly, about an hour or so later, we connected with trail and continue to climb south through the valley. While resting at the “Top of the World” former camping area, we were able to take in 360 degree views of the mountains to our west, which included Green, Little Scraggy, the slightly larger “Scraggy” and in the distance to the north-west is Mount Evans. The area that we hiked today is also in recovery from wildfire. On the afternoon of May 18, 1996 an unattended campfire near Wellington Lake in the Pike National Forest started the Buffalo Creek fire. As the fire grew, driven east by high winds, residents of Buffalo Creek and nearby Spring Creek were evacuated. The fire spread rapidly toward Jefferson County Highway 126, which runs north from Decker’s through Buffalo Creek and Pine to U.S. Highway 285. In spite of the determined efforts of fire fighters, the fire jumped the road, burning structures at the edge of Buffalo Creek and threatening homes in Spring Creek. By Tuesday, the fire had burned a path ten miles long and two miles wide, destroying 18 homes or other structures. The blaze continued east, until it stopped at the South Platte River. Tomorrow, we will be hiking the burn scar area of the Hayman fire that took place in the S.Platte valley in 2002. I hope you enjoy some of the pictures from today’s hike. Have a great day and do something outdoors today!
Chef Chris
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Peaceful Valley
camping, Fishing Conditions, fishing reportJuly 5, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”22″ gal_title=”july 5 burn scar prehike”]
Good morning everyone!! Just got back from an early morning hike with your morning conditions report. Currently it’s a very comfortable 74 degrees in the valley with a forecast of high of 97!! Yikes, going to be a warm one for sure! The flow at the Cheesman dam was 297 (cfs) and up to 497 (cfs) at the Trumbull Station. Similar to yesterday, the flow around the Decker’s bridge is about 360-380 (cfs). After talking to a few local guides about the Trumbull station recordings, the consensus was that it tends to read a little higher than the actual flow. The clarity has improved, considering we finally avoided some of the heavy afternoon storms we have been getting for the last few days. Last night the dry-fly action was pretty great! Hopper-dropper patterns along with a double-dry rig pulled up several fish later in the evening. The weekend crowds are gone and their is plenty of room at all four of our local campgrounds and cabins. Don’t forget! You can book all your campground and cabin reservations right here. Just click on the “Services” or the “things to do” tab and start exploring the South Platte River Valley.
In preparation for Thursday’s all day outing in the National Forest, we hiked about half the distance we will be hiking on Thursday, today. At about 5:30 this morning we headed out of Trumbull to the east and climbed about 1,000 feet up the to the edge of the “Hayman” fire burn scar. Thursday, we will continue from where we stopped today and climb the remaining 1,000 feet or so to the top of the range. Along the hike this morning, we came across some very fresh Elk tracks, but to our dismay we did not actually get to see an Elk. As we climbed higher and higher and approaced the burn scar, I couldn’t help but notice the resiliency and tenacity of some of the desert plants, cactus, and noxious weeds that seem to thrive in little soil, minimal water, and direct desert sunlight. I took a few pictures of some of these plants so you can see exactly what I mean. Continuing to the highest point of today’s climb, we were treated to some spectacular views of Cheesman, Scraggy, and Green mountains. Stay tuned for the upcoming photos and report from the big climb happening on Thursday. That’s it for now folks! Enjoy your day and remember to do something nice today for someone else! Take care
Chris
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I’m “Lichen” this!
fishing reportJuly 4, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”21″ gal_title=”4th of july”]
Good morning and Happy Independence Day everyone!!! It’s been a glorious morning here in Decker’s and Trumbull. With sunny skies, warm temperatures and a nice forecast for the rest of the day, it’s sure to be a fantastic 4th of July up here on the South Platte River. This morning’s river flow out of Cheesman was 362 (cfs) and 475 (cfs) at Trumbull. Clarity looks good and I’ve taken a picture of Horse Creek entering the Platte to show you how I estimate the flow around Decker’s. This will also illustrate how the feeder creeks can affect the clarity of the Platte. Based on this morning’s observations, it’s looking to be about 380 or 390 or so around the main Decker’s bridge. Last night the fish were really turned on with the rain showers!! We did real well with hoppers and trailing a chocolate thunder. Later in the evening, we took several fish with a grasshopper and an Amy’s Ant. Leaving the fishing reports up to the professionals, be sure to check out Flies-n-Lies on their website http://www.flies-n-lies.com. Along the hike this morning to Decker’s from the south east, my friend and I encountered a few deer, but mostly enjoyed the views of the valley as the sun came up over the Rampart Range. With such a high desert climate, we have an abundance of” bear attracting” berry bushes, lichen, moss, and other ground and rock covering plants throughout the valley and forests. Along our hike this morning we were faced with the option of getting wet or climbing up and over some very slippery, lichen-covered granite with three dogs, a camera and the desire to get to Decker’s! We chose to climb the granite, and after sliding down the “Lichen Luge” we continued on the trail to Decker’s. I hope you enjoy the pictures from today’s hike in the Pike National Forest. Thursday’s trip is planned for a gemstone hike and an update on the “Hayman” burn scar. For those of you that are not aware, the “Hayman” fire was the largest wildfire in Colorado history that burned over 160,000 acres in 2002. We will be hiking a portion of the burn scar area, located in the Pike National Forest. Have a happy and safe 4th of July! Remember to do something helpful for the world today! Pick up a random piece of trash!
Chris
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Oh what webs they weave!
fishing reportJuly 3, 2016[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”20″ gal_title=”sunday july 3″]
Good morning everyone!! Woke up to another foggy morning here in the valley with some much cooler temperatures and overnight rain. When I left this morning at 6:15, it was a chilly 48 degrees, but it’s warmed up quickly to a comfortable 68! Going to be more like a holiday weekend should be with temperatures reaching the low 90’s! The river flow at the Cheesman dam was coming out at 350 (cfs) and 426 (cfs) at the the Trumbull station. After looking at the river in Decker’s this moring, it’s looking to be about 380(cfs). Considering all the rain we have had over the last two days, the river is still pretty clear, offering good chances to sight fish! I’ve been fishing on and off for the last two days with a few neighbors and they are killing it with a #18/20 Chocolate Thunder, below a rubber legs or Amy’s Ant. I’ve also hooked into a few fish with a Barr’s Emerger, trailing a variety of smaller midges. It’s been mostly nymphing in the morning, but the dry-fly action has really picked up around five o’clock in the afternoon!! Last night the trout were taking a Green-hackle BWO, along with a Parachute Adams. I did see fish rising this morning here and there as I hiked the river from Trumbull to Decker’s. As far as the fishing crowds go, it’s much busier on the river between Trumbull and Decker’s today then it was yesterday at this time. Keep in mind there is excellent water to be fished downstream from Trumbull and Decker’s! Don’t miss out on some of the deeper pools, gravel bars, and eddy’s that hold lots hungry fish!
Each morning, when I walk out of the house around 6 am, I’m not always sure where the camera, or my feet for that matter, are going to take me. As I began my walk towards Decker’s this morning, I couldn’t help but immediately notice the work and beauty created overnight by the various spiders that make the willows and trees along the river their home. I knew instantly that I was to be treated to the “Art Work” of the Spider world as I continued along my morning journey along the river. As fly-fisherman we have the luxury of either tying our own flies or simply going to our local fly-shop to get what we need, or in most cases, what we think we need! Well, out here the spider sees things just a little bit different and must look out for #1! My favorite picture is the one where the fly-line is on the power line next to the spider web. You tell me who’s better at catching their prey? Have a great Sunday my friends!! Remember, do something nice this weekend, take two kids fishing!
Chris
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