Trout season is just around the corner - and don't I know it. I've been chomping at the bit to get out and do some trout fishing. Never did land a steelhead, much less even have one on for longer than a "hot damn, there it is" before it popped off, but I am past that. I am ready for trout season.

So, I've been spending some time at the vise, and in between tying hot pink chenile things with Elsa (she picks the color, however I am sure some dumb fish would eat them) I've been cranking out parachute adams, stimulators, pheasant tails, and, more recently, streamers. I lost my big ass streamer box last fall, presumably left it on the raft trailer at Silver Creek, so I've been trying to replenish my stash.



Bring on the bull trout!

I had a mid morning meeting in Condon today, and when we wrapped up I realized I had a few hours to kill before my next meeting. So, I pointed the car south and cruised down to the Painted Hills.



Despite the first day of spring being tomorrow, it was low 30's and snowing most of the drive, but aside from the wild turkeys and antelope I had to the trails to myself and enjoyed the solitude.







Of course, A was very jealous when I got home tonight, as that is one of her favorite destinations, but being that it is only a few hours away I'm sure we'll be down once the wildflowers are in bloom...

Spring is here, at least so far as I am concerned, but tell that to the elk.

A's Uncle Mark and I spent a Sunday hiking the river canyon just above his cabin, with the hope of finding some shed antlers. Great day out and about, and while we spooked several groups of deer the real treat came when we got up on top and came across a massive herd of elk bedded down. As we got closer they got wind of us, and slowly meandered into the timber. I'd guess there were around a hundred, with several smaller bulls. We watched them through our binoculars for a spell, and then worked our way across the side canyon and headed down - only to spook a beautiful bull, alone down in the bottom of the canyon.



Unfortunately for us, despite seeing several decent signs where the bulls had been rubbing, all of the bull elk we spotted were still wearing their antlers, so while it feel like spring, the elk are holding onto their winter "flair"...



It was a great day, although I am fully pooped and slightly sore, but hopefully in the next few weeks we can get back out there and see what we can find.