Eleven elk, a bunch of Fish, and a Black Ringneck

Took the grandkids to Estes Park for the holiday weekend.

On Friday evening, at dusk, eleven elk were frisking around in the wetland, it was hilarious to watch.

There's some open space behind the house and this time of year, there's constant snowmelt weaving a channel down the center. The elk meandered in, taking their time. Then something caused them to start frisking around, jumping, kicking and running. They didn't run to leave, they just ran around frolicking like a bunch of 800lb. lambs.

I think they were enjoying getting their feet wet. They started running around with their necks straight, holding thier noses above their eyes. It was really funny to see. One would bounce stiff-legged into the air, then kick and run one direction up to another elk and this one might take off in a different path, also in the strange stiff neck, elevated nose behavior. At one point, it seemed like they were all doing it, but two more were uphill and still approaching and not behaving like the rest. Too funny!

Marie said they were boys and were enjoying running around, not missing their horns. I think they just enjoyed the soft wet ground and were celebrating return of spring and water laden grass. Where's the camera when you need it!

Oh well, back to the story.

The following morning Sable wanted to go fishing in the pound. She was dressed and out the door, fishing pole in hand before Eli and I knew what was up. I got word from Eli that the fish were biting and Sable was catching trout. I found the camera, grabbed another pole out of the garage and headed down to watch, reporting to Grandpa duty a little behind muster.

By the time I got there, she had put two back, things slowed down and she had moved to another spot. She caught a small splake as I was walking up on them.

Without any prompting, Eli got his pole back in the water

Then spotted some crayfish claws a mink or raccoon left behind.

Meanwhile, Sable was nailing them in short order.

A perch

A Brook Trout (notice her wearing my hunting boots!)

And a Brown Trout

Her hands got cold and she took off, leaving me and Eli watching the duck.

A lone Black Ringneck Duck drake waiting for company

Eli came over to see why Sable left.

I gave him the camera to take back to the house and he snapped a couple pictures of some deer grazing their way up through the houses.

A good time had by all and not a bad outcome at all for gramps; I didn't even have to get my hands or feet wet!

Didn't bring the cane poles though :-( too much other stuff in the car this trip.

Take me fishing - you got it!

This is my National Fishing and Boating Week contest entry sponsored by Take Me Fishing and the Outdoor Blogger Network.



Please Brer OBN, don't throw me in that briar patch!

A week and two weekends (thats 9 days) of adventure!

Yet, so much water, so little time...

I'd start off on the front range. The water will be warm enough to catch some sunfish and bass in the neighborhood ponds.

Then,

My plans are to get the grandkids off the front range and up to Estes Park, Colorado. We'll fish and troll from my old center console 1969 Starcraft Adventurer in Lake Estes for rainbows. Views of Longs Peak, lots of fish, and plenty of sunshine (hope I dont jinx the trip!). We've had snow in June.

Another day, hike in to fish some streams or ponds in one of the national parks, likely the St. Vrain in Wild Basin. Lots of photo opportunities and great scenery in the National Park.

Another day, trailer the boat over to Pinewood Reservoir behind Carter Lake and fish for Tiger Muskies with my son Ben!

Another day, did I mention the South Platte River for big Trout on Gill Trail?

Here's some Zirkel Wilderness footage - this in Routt National Forest with my grand-daughter Sable.



Yep, can't wait for the excuse!

Windy day at the Pond

Tree's are budding out and it's a sunny Colorado day.

Here's a post to introduce Eli. Elijah David. He's gonna be eleven next week.

Today was windy. Still, Eli gets out of school early on Friday's and I promised him a fishing trip.

We decided to go try out a couple cane poles in the bubbler ponds. I told him we had some worms, that Ben had left us, and I'd show him how to use these long wooden poles (he thought they were flyrods). We found a calmer spot, out of the wind and he had a crawler on the hook in no time!

Eli got the hang of the cane pole pendulum cast pretty easily and had a bait drifting in no time.

The fish however were nowhere to be found.

Oh well, cattails are fun. Jumping across rocks is fun. Getting pond mud on your school shoes, well, blame gramps on that one.

Still have plenty of worms, maybe it will be calmer tomorrow and we can try a shallower pond. I'll need to work on my 'keep the school shoes clean' technique though.

Cane Pole Chronicles announcement

I'm starting this blog to document fishing adventures with my grandkids (Marie and I are raising them, btw). Hopefully, I'll be able to capture, document and share experiences as I develop my writing sense of humor.

Here's a picture of the little characters, part of the inspiration to start this blog. The picture's a couple of years old, but that mischief is still there!

Sable is thirteen and Eli is going to be eleven in a week.

Kids, fish, birds, snakes, frogs, turtles and various other critters will be the stars on this blog. Bobbers and cane poles will have supporting roles. Expect to see a neighborhood friend or acquaintance that checks in to share the adventure.

I've got a collection of fishing poles and tackle boxes stacked full and just found two 14 ft. cane poles during a Basspro excursion. I'm already wondering how long those tips will last.

The grass is getting green after last weeks snow soak. Let the adventures begin!