Colorado Fly Fishing – Bait Huckin' vs. Fly Fishin'

It was one of those fishing trips. You know, everyone catches fish but you, you loose six or eight of your most expensive streamers, it rains buckets, and you sink the boat. That’s right; I got skunked at Steamboat Lake over Memorial weekend.



I was determined to show those meat huckers (worms and power bait) that a well chosen and strategically placed fly was as effective as anything a conventional fisherman could load on a hook and hang under a bobber. Well, no such luck, I got stomped.



The fish were rising like mad on a midge hatch, and I threw everything in the box at them. I could swear I saw a hefty rainbow nudge my fly to the side to eat the natural laying only centimeters from my damn near perfect replica. As we watched the group of 12 year olds add another 18” fish to their stringer (full loaded, I might add) I decided it must be a lake thing. I don’t fish lakes often.



I usually have good luck with a streamer in faster moving water, so I head for one on the several tributaries hoping to get the boat up far enough to make a make a few good casts. No such luck, here comes the wind. Determined and frustrated, I proceed to lose several of my best streamers in the dense shrubbery surrounding the mouth of the creek (can’t retrieve them since the current is too strong to get the boat any further up the creek).



On the way back to camp we are passed by a couple of boats with stringers of fish crashing off the bows of their boats (hmmm, are they just rubbing it my face, or are they tenderizing the meat?)Questioning my decision to become a fly fisherman, I head over to the dock to pick up my 5 year-old son and a fresh styro of night crawlers. I'll let my son fish the meat before I crumble and load one up on the spinner myself. Surprising, no luck with the meat either, and hear comes the rain. I throw my arms up and ponder my karma activity of the past year.



We charge for shore as the lake turns to white caps. The rain and lightning moves in fast. Did I mention that we got the boat for free and have no clue what to do in the rain? We pull the boat up close to shore near our camp, outside of the no-wake zone. We leave all of our gear and head for the soggy camp.



Well, apparently it’s best to leave your boat in protected cove in the no wake zone. From what we could tell, our boat was hammered with 300 to 400 gallons of water from the waves and boat wakes from boaters rushing back to the dock. Yes, it sank in 18 inches of water. I didn’t realize a boat could sink in 18” of water! All of our gear is floating around the shore. The gas tank and gear which included an Orvis waste pack with hmmmm, some 500 plus flies. Every box any fly had to be opened and dried on the dashboards of our trucks.



We bail the boat, load the truck and haul our soggy gear and crippled egos back home.



Next Memorial Day, it’s back to the river!!!

About Author

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of writing journals for fly fishing. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more about the great outdoors as well as fly fishing articles and stories.
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Edible Wild Plants For Backpackers

Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next backpacking trip, or any trip into the wilderness, a lot more enjoyable.

You can pack lighter if you eat wild berries every morning for breakfast, for example, and leave your oatmeal behind. So push the bears out of the way and gorge yourself on blueberries. Less weight on your back always feels better.

You'll also enjoy your backpacking more when you know that you won't be completely helpless the moment you lose your pack, or a raccoon empties it for you. You don't have to be a survivalist to see the value of knowing which of the wild plants around you can be eaten.

I eat dandelions, wild courants, pine nuts and other edible wild plants regularly. I ate hundreds of calories in wild rasberries during a break, while hiking in the Colorado Rockies. During a kayak trip on Lake Superior, a friend and I spent half a day stopping at every litle island, to fill our stomachs with wild blueberries. We were almost out of food, so our foraging helped us get through the rest of the trip.

Edible Berries

Here are just some of the wild berries my wife and I ate while hiking to Grinnel Glacier in Glacier National Park: Blueberries, Service Berries, Rose Hips, Blackberries, High Bush Cranberries, Strawberries, Rasberries, Thimbleberries, and Currants. Berries are the most convenient, calorie rich and nutritious of the edible wild plants out there. They are also the easiest to learn to identify

Edible Wild Plants And Survival

If you travel in isolated wilderness areas, learning to identify a few edible wild plants can keep you safe also. Someday you may be lost or injured, or a bear will push you out of the way to gorge himself your freeze-dried meals. In a survival situation, food isn't usually a priority (warmth and water are), but a pile of roasted cattail hearts sure will cheer you up and warm you up, and they even taste good.

Stay away from protected plants, of course, unless you are in a true life-or-death situation. Also, don't eat all the beautiful flowers, or kill off the lilies by eating all the bulbs. Use common sense. If you aren't sure if you're doing harm, stick to eating wild berries.

Check out a few books on harvesting wild food. You don't need to become a wilderness survival fanatic. You really only need to learn to recognise a dozen high-calorie, abundant wild edible plants to be a lot safer in the wilderness, and to enjoy it more.

About Author

Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com

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Denver- the sun shines here

Denver, a beautiful city and the capital of the state of Colorado is not only a center of business in this region but indeed is a place where the sun shines for over 300 days in a year. Welcome to Denver which offers the most amazing experience of lifetime for its visitors. This is a city which is guarded by the majestic Rocky Mountains which present the breathtaking views to solidify the moments of adventure and excitement that Denver shares with open arms.

Denver is a lively city full of activities around the year which can be in true sense referred as unlimited urban adventures. At the same time Denver offers lot of opportunities in the form of business and commerce. Being the capital of the Colorado state a lot of business activities take place in Denver which are obvious to make it a important commerce zone in this region. What a better combination it can be when you have a place which complements both the aspects of life i.e. Business and adventure.

With the number of visitors to Denver increasing every year the hotels in here offer innumerable options which are suitable to almost every budget. A visitor on a tight budget is sure to find the best of services which the hotels have on offer. The general facilities offered by the hotels here include air conditioned rooms, car rentals, airport pick and drop facilities, swimming pools, health clubs, spas, restaurants etc. If you are a connoisseur of food and generally follow your taste buds you will surely relish and spoil yourself with the dishes served in the restaurants. You can find delicacies from across the globe. The nightlife in Denver is simply awe-inspiring with many events and a quality of pubs and other hangouts which leave you with an unforgotten experience.

Now if you are thinking how to get to Denver then I would like to bring to your notice that the Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in this region, so finding a flight for this destination is never a problem. You can make your visit more memorable if you make a road-trip to Denver surrounded by the raw nature. The internal transport in Denver is also convenient with many car rentals, buses, taxis and everything it takes to explore this place.

Denver holds a historical background which you will experience in most parts of the city. At the same time the city will exhibit its development with the contemporary business towers and titanic shopping malls. Shopping is another wonderful experience; Rocky Mountains can be your first choice although. You can also take out some time from the neighborhoods to visit its museums and art galleries, Denver Art Museum can be one of them. In all visiting Denver is a astonishing experience which we would suggest you to have once.

About Author

Looking for more information on Denver Hotels check out denver-hotels.info your guide to Denver Hotels

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Outdoor Activities Available In Denver

The city of Denver is also the city of outdoors and adventure. The pleasantly warm climate can change at any moment. Therefore, it is always advisable to keep your sweaters or jackets at arms length, wherever you go. It is also to be noted that though it snows at unexpected moments, you can find snow melting away in no time. You will enjoy the climate at the Rocky Mountains beyond the plains. So leave your Denver hotel and get out there to enjoy it.

Activities like bicycling, trekking, hiking, rock climbing, horse riding, camping, canoeing, boating, kayaking, rafting, skiing, fishing, ice fishing, fly fishing, snow mobiles, dirt biking, jet skiing, etc are some of the activities you can pursue while in Denver. The places to look for are Dillon Reservoir, Gross Reservoir, High Line Canal, Eleven Mile Reservoir, Williams Fork Reservoir and Waterton Canyon. Dillon reservoir is known for boat camping. Hunting is prohibited in Denver, but you can go hunting to adjacent state and federal property.

I am not that adventurous; do I have some thing in Denver? Hey, did you ask that question? OK, I will let you know other activities available in Denver too. Are you a lover of the past? Then you can go to different museums in Denver.

The main museums in Denver are:

Buffalo Bill Museum
Colorado Historical Society Museum (see here how Colorado looked 3 million years ago)
Denver Art Museum (a treasure-trove of American Indian and Spanish Art)
Museo de las Americas (learn about the art, life and culture of Latinos in America)
Denver Firefighters' Museum
Colorado Railroad Museum
Denver Children's Museum (designed for children up to age of 8)
Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and
Molly Brown House ("unsinkable" lady millionaire Molly Brown's home - memoirs of Victorian era in Denver)
The Denver Art Museum has just reopened in a stunning new building- an architectural masterpiece.

Advance reserve a trip to Denver mint to have a look at the processes of coin minting. Enjoy dance, theater performance, and enjoy shopping at Denver Pavilion in Sixteenth Street Mall or Larimer Square.

Denver zoo, always filled with some exotic wild animals is another place you can enjoy. You can take a ocean journey at the marine sciences center, where you will find fauna from the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

If you are an ardent fan of artworks, go to the different art galleries of LoDo Historic District. Lower Downtown (LoDo) is also known for its restaurants and shopping centers. Red Rocks Amphitheater is a natural amphitheater, where you can enjoy some summer concerts. LoDo is also a place where you can find many Denver Hotels.

Do you plan a full day playing with roller coasters and water theme games? Six Flags Elitch Gardens is the place to go. Here there is lots of fun for families and singles alike.

Are you in the mood of spoiling your taste buds? You can hit more than a few hundred restaurants serving Italian, Chinese, continental, Indian, culinary delicacies. Most restaurants have an informal setup while some are formal, where you need to observe certain dress code.

Getting around in Denver is not a major hassle as it is in many big cities. Denver is a warm hospitable city. It also gives you a tranquilizing country life experience. Accomodation is available at a wide range of Denver hotels.

About Author

A Lennon is a Denver hotel owner. His property can be viewed at www.bestwesterndenver.com



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Keeping Your Kids Happy During a Keystone Colorado Ski Vacation

Tips: Clothing: Make sure your children are dressed in layers. We all know that layering allows our bodies to accommodate our constantly changing temperature. Avoid cotton clothing as it retains moisture and try some of the readily available wicking fabric products. A Turtleneck, fleece and jacket are all a good idea and the little one’s can shed layers as necessary.

Body Fuel: Stuff your pockets with Powerbar-like snacks, nuts, and dried fruit. Inevitably, someone will want to quit before others are ready because of hunger.

Extras: Make sure to keep a gear bag in the car with extra clothing items like mittens, socks, headbands, sunglasses, goggles, sunscreen, and lip balm. long underwear and socks. If you’ve ever seen the monumental size of the lost and found boxes at ski resorts, you will know that is only inevitable that someone will forget something...

Protective Eyewear: I can’t emphasize this enough. I hear more horror stories from my ophthalmologist friends about the dangers of the Colorado sun on young eyes, especially when it reflects off the snow. Make sure your children have UV protective sunglasses or goggles.

Plan for Being Separated on the Slope. While we all hope it never happens, I can assure you, it can happen much faster than you think. Make sure you plan a meeting place before you begin skiing in the event your child becomes lost. The information booth is a good place or decide which lift you will ski next so if you get separated. Make sure your child carries a piece of paper in a secure pocket that has your home, cell and lodging phone number as well as your name. Inexpensive walkie talkies are now available and are a big hit on the slopes.
Planning a little in advance ensures a great adventure, fun, laughter. It is a wonderful feeling to know that your children’s fondest childhood memories were of your family ski vacations.

About Author

Steve Falk is co-founder and operator of SkyRun Condos, a company that provides lodging in Keystone Colorado. For more information on planning your family vacation as well as discounts on lodging and lift tickets, be sure and visit www.SkyRun.com for great information.



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The Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado - A Unique Vacation Destination

When traveling in Colorado the best place to visit is the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City. This is the world’s highest suspension bridge and it also has the highest deck to surface clearance of any other bridge in the world. The bridge is located in a park combined of 360 acres that hangs an amazing 1,053 feet over the Arkansas River. Two other rivers, the Rio Grande and the Denver, flow under the bridge as well at the base of the Gorge. At only 18 feet wide and 880 feet long this bridge doesn't appear big until you start walking on it. Then, the width seems increasingly smaller and the length seems to go on forever. The walkway is comprised of more than 1000 wooden planks and it is hard not to wonder what would happen if one of the planks broke when walking over the bridge. The bridge is suspended by two 150 feet tall towers.

Amazingly, the bridge was constructed as a tourist attraction back in 1929 and it only took six months to build the bridge. The price was $350,000, which was a lot of money back in the ‘20s. But, ever since, the Royal Gorge Bridge has been one of Colorado’s biggest tourist attractions.

The best time of the year to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warmer. The fall is also a good time to visit. Those who head out in the winter must bundle up well otherwise they might freeze! But, since you can drive over the bridge it really doesn’t matter what time of year you visit. The one thing that is amazing is that when you go across the bridge, whether on foot or in car, is that you feel as if you are in the clouds. It’s kind of like you are flying!

There are other shows and rides in the Royal Gorge Park that will keep you entertained throughout the day and the trek across the bridge will culminate the trip. Park prices are $21 for adults and $17 for kids. However, October 2 through April 27 is the off season and tickets are buy one get one half off. Prices during high season are $23 for adults and $19 for kids. So, if you want to save money visiting during the off months is a good plan. Park hours are 10 am all year long and closing time depends on the time of year. Sometimes the park closes at 5 pm and other times at 8 pm. You will need to check the park’s schedule before you visit to see what the hours are for your trip.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

About Author

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 6 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's.

Unknown-Creatures

http://www.unknown-creatures.com




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Colorado travel guide

A Google search of the word ‘Colorado’ reveals a list of websites ranging from the website of the Government of Colorado to the websites of various educational institutions and universities. Among the diverse tourism websites mentioned, the one that catches your eye is visitcolorado4less.com. A click on the link fills your screen with beautiful ice capped peaks of Colorado. A brief overview of the website further assures the browser that he is at the right web link. The website offers exhaustive information about the State which is vaguely situated in Central USA.

The name Colorado traces its genesis to Spanish’ color red. The Centennial State or Colorful Colorado, as it is commonly called, has Denver as its capital.

Colorado is essentially famous for its winter sports, but it seems to cater to everyone’s hobbies. Fishing, skiing, rafting, rock climbing, camping, hiking, museums, historic sites – you find it all here. Apart from its scenic beauty Colorado has much more to offer.

The state has numerous mountains, the highest peak being Mt. Elbert. It is also the home of the Rocky Mountains. Mountaineering becomes especially delightful during spring season when wild flowers are in full bloom. There is also a Colorado Mountain Club which is dedicated solely to the mountain activities. Colorado also has 8000 miles of rivers, offering water activities all over the state. As a result the first water garden society in the world has been founded here. The scenic beauty of Colorado is enhanced by the fact that water is virtually present everywhere. The best way to appreciate this beauty is through camping and horse riding.

Leaving out the adventurers, Colorado offers a lot to the historians and the philosophers. There is a Colorado Shakespeare Festival organized annually in which hundreds of people gather together to produce the various Shakespeare classics. Dotted with ghost towns and mining sites, the state has enough history available to satisfy everyone’s intellectual appetite. Other attractions include the Colorado Brewer’s Festivals and numerous happening casinos.

If one is on a holiday with the entire family, he may visit the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center which is an artificial shelter of numerous insects like centipedes and beautiful butterflies. Other venues can be the Cave of Winds in which one can see the stalactite and stalagmite formation, Colorado Gators which homes alligators, Krabloonik – a kennel of sled dogs and Rock Canyon Water Slide which is a mini water park.. Tiny Town and Railroad are especially liked by children. Started in 1915, this children attraction includes 100 of miniature buildings which includes a toy store, a bank and a church. An open steam train gives a tour of this Tiny Town.

Shopping is the ultimate activity which completes a holiday. And so we have Denver and Aspen the shopping hubs of Colorado. While both are known for its antiques, there are other avenues to indulge in as well.

Colorado is also saturated with boarding houses and lodges, each famous for its own experiences. Accommodation is available of every cost, class and style. The Cottonwood Cove ranch is a cozy niche that offers a variety of outdoor activities and is good for fishing. Snowmass Village is a world class ski resort which offers plenty of summer activities as well. Another unique experience is the Vista Verde which is set in wilderness.

With all these activities to do teamed with a comfortable stay, Colorado is the decisive destination where you should head to.

About Author

Mansi gupta writes about colorado travel guide. Learn more at http://www.visitcolorado4less.com

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Recreation in Colorado

Its really no secret that Colorado is the spot where America comes to play in the winter. If you are interested in snow sports on any level, then colorado is the place you need to be when the white stuff comes. The famous mountains in Colorado have also got a thriving real estate industry that soared to new heights as the demand for homes and vacation cabins and condos is higher than ever before.

Colorado has long been known for some of the finest winter resorts in North America, Vail, Aspen, Beaver Creek, and Breckenridge to name a few, and the Rocky Mountains are jammed with other smaller resorts and facilities. Skiing and snowboarding take the limelight in alpine areas that are world famous. But there is much more than these to catch the interest of winter sports fans. Any sport that you could imagine is available in Colorado, from nordic skiing, & snowmobiling, to ice fishing & ice climbing.

Because of the phenomenal recreation options, Colorado has become a popular choice for a second home or a condo. One of the nice plusses to a home in the mountains is the fact that you will never have trouble in finding renters to help pay the bills in the times that you are not using the home. Of course there are quite a number of people who end up making this area their year-round home. During the summer, Colorado is spectacular and boasts a whole new range of recreational options.

Colorado is simply perfect for anyone who enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle. It really does not matter which season it is, there is never a shortage of things to do. And the resorts in Colorado also offer a nightlife that is unmatchable. With great amenities and shopping, cultural events like the Sundance Film Festival and year-round sporting events, the lifestyle is good in Colorado. You just may buy a second home here and end up selling the first one.

About Author

Lane Hornung & the team at Colorado Real Estate are elite real estate agents dealing exclusively with homes & properties in Colorado. For the best in real estate service in Colorado contact Lane & the team today.



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