Fishing is challenging, mysterious, and thrilling, all at the same time. When I think of where I would like to spend the rest of my life, I can’t imagine it not being nearby a river. As a sport, it is rather contemplative as opposed to competitive, although there is certainly a competitive aspect if that’s what you’re searching for.
On my first day in Telluride fishing the Dolores River above McPhee Reservoir the fishing was certainly challenging. The flow was extremely low and even in the spots where you would expect to see a fish, there just weren’t any there. One of the issues with this river is that there is no catch and release policy and that is certainly having an effect on the fishery.
The mystery in fly-fishing is trying to figure out not only where the fish hang out, but what it is that they are eating. It’s so much fun pretending that I’m a biologist with my seine capturing insects and trying to interpret what is actually floating down the river at that particular point in time.
The thrill is when everything that you’ve studied and put to work comes together and you feel that tug on your line in a moment of complete surprise. You gently bring this beautiful creature to the river bank, gently hold it and release it back into its home.
Yes, challenging, mysterious and thrilling.
