Afternoon On The Poudre River

It took just over two hours from the time that the airplane wheels touched down in Denver to be standing knee deep in the Poudre River casting a caddis dry fly trailed by a soft hackle.

"Guide" Mike Boward was along for the day and had lunch prepared complete with a favorite brew.

A tasty sandwich to fuel an afternoon on the water.

Since Mike is a true Scott Fly Rod Company "Fan Boy", he started with the new F2 8'2" five weight and I fished the Kabuto Rods eight foot five weight which was nothing short of a delight.  The detailed workmanship is clearly noted on this fly rod and it casts quite nicely as well.  The stacked bamboo reel seat is a thing of beauty.

This brown came out from a deep crevice on a large rock wall to sip a dark green soft hackle.  Quite a thrill.

My favorite photo from the day and glad that this brown trout cooperated for a few moments.

Mike enjoying the Scott F2 and casting hopper patterns to rising fish even through the rainstorm.

Soft hackles were my ticket for the day.  

Later in the afternoon Mike and I switched rods and I had a chance to flex the F2 five weight.  WOW!

Besides being beautifully appointed (which it paired nicely with a vintage J.W. Young Beaudex) it is a wonderful casting fly rod as well.

It's neat to see Scott go back to a retro blank color and wraps.  There was nothing wrong with the black Fibertouch rods but there is just something about a dark yellow fiberglass fly rod.

I will fish this fly rod quite a bit more on this trip.

This William Joseph "prototype" Exodus pack was excellent as a carry on on the airplane and even better on the water.  I'll be carrying it around for the next couple of days at IFTD so I should get a real good feel for it.

Day One of the Colorado trip is over and there are still five days to go.