Not sure how long ago it was but several years back someone caught a 37 3/4 pound brown trout out of first dam. That is enough to keep me coming back
September 15, 2009
Skunked Again on Logan Canyon First Dam
Fished Logan Canyon's First Dam this morning. And once again I got skunked. I fished the highlighted area near the bridge. I have seen fishermen get fish on the bank here using live worms. But I am still on my "outsmart the fish" kick and was using artificial bait and lures. I will keep trying new things until I can finally say that I caught one here.
Not sure how long ago it was but several years back someone caught a 37 3/4 pound brown trout out of first dam. That is enough to keep me coming back
Not sure how long ago it was but several years back someone caught a 37 3/4 pound brown trout out of first dam. That is enough to keep me coming back
September 14, 2009
1st Forest Grouse Hunt of 2009
September 12th was opening day for the Forest Grouse Hunt in Utah. Two species of birds can be taken, Blue and Ruffed. I had never hunted these birds before today and really had my doubts about my rookie effort going into opening morning. I even told Amy I better come home with a bird or I could possibly be the worst hunter and fisherman ever.
I did my homework before the hunt. I spent time on the internet reading everything about these high altitude chickens as I could. What was their habitat? What did they eat? What type of brush would I have the best chance to flush one of these elusive birds. And what I found helped out in my preparation for the hunt. And the one common factor in most of the articles was how difficult these birds were to hunt.
From these pictures I clearly did not get skunked but I have to admit that it was a little bit dumb luck that I got my first Ruffed Grouse.
I scouted out my spot on Google Earth a few weeks before the hunt and settled on Twin Creek which is near Bear Hollow up Logan Canyon. Just down the hill from Tony Grove Lake. I arrived on the mountain a little later then I wanted but still a good time of 645. When I got out of the truck the very first noise I heard was an elk bugle. If it was a hunter he was good, really good. But the Limited Entry Elk hunt was going on as well and I hoped to be a little lower on the mountain then they would be so that we did not cross paths.
I worked my way up the hill to the ridge that separates Twin Creek from Bear Hollow. I could see on Google Earth that there was a mix of Aspen and Maple on top and thought that would be a good place to start. It was a good distance away from the water at the bottom of Twin Creek but I assumed these birds do not mind much of a walk in their feeding. We found this to be the case with Turkey's in Southern Utah so I hoped that their smaller siblings would wander off from water the same and to the safety of the ridge tops.
It took me just over an hour to climb to the ridge top. I took my time getting to the top, checking all the thick stands of timber hoping to get a flush on my way to the top. But to add to my rookie nerves, I did not see any sign. No feathers and no droppings.
I got to the ridge top and walked its length to the East. The Maple and Aspen was thick. I was trying to come up with a game plan but honestly did not know where to start. As I headed back up the ridge to the west I decided to stop, take a break, and get some fluids in me. I also took this time to try and plan the way I was going to spend my next hour on the hill. Like I do many times, I did this hunt solo. I did not have anyone else with me. No dogs with a nose for finding my next meal. And I was going to be outsmarted if I kept hunting this way.
All of the sudden I heard a low, barely audible cluck. I circled up around a thick stand of maple. I was watching the ground level with as sharp of an eye as I could. All the sudden a little movement caught my eye and there down a slim path was the head of a Ruffed Grouse.
I slowly pulled my Escort 12 Gauge to my shoulder, released my safety and just as the bird began to take flight I pulled the trigger. Through the smoke I saw feathers in the air and heard another bird take flight. Due to the thickness of the cover I never even saw the 2nd bird.
I walked up to look for my first Ruffed Grouse taken and saw the feathers but no bird. After looking around I finally found the Grouse under a log, with its natural camouflage blending it in perfectly with the ground. I felt that hunting excitement that comes with taking game. It has not changed since my first dear 20 years ago.
That feeling makes me wonder why I stopped hunting for more than a decade. Its the feeling that is going to keep me hunting and fishing for years to come. I just sat there and took in this little bird and the beauty of it. I was not able to find any more birds that day but I was not skunked. I still have 3 more months of hunting this great bird and hope to improve my stats for the Forest Grouse.
I did my homework before the hunt. I spent time on the internet reading everything about these high altitude chickens as I could. What was their habitat? What did they eat? What type of brush would I have the best chance to flush one of these elusive birds. And what I found helped out in my preparation for the hunt. And the one common factor in most of the articles was how difficult these birds were to hunt.
From these pictures I clearly did not get skunked but I have to admit that it was a little bit dumb luck that I got my first Ruffed Grouse. I scouted out my spot on Google Earth a few weeks before the hunt and settled on Twin Creek which is near Bear Hollow up Logan Canyon. Just down the hill from Tony Grove Lake. I arrived on the mountain a little later then I wanted but still a good time of 645. When I got out of the truck the very first noise I heard was an elk bugle. If it was a hunter he was good, really good. But the Limited Entry Elk hunt was going on as well and I hoped to be a little lower on the mountain then they would be so that we did not cross paths.
I worked my way up the hill to the ridge that separates Twin Creek from Bear Hollow. I could see on Google Earth that there was a mix of Aspen and Maple on top and thought that would be a good place to start. It was a good distance away from the water at the bottom of Twin Creek but I assumed these birds do not mind much of a walk in their feeding. We found this to be the case with Turkey's in Southern Utah so I hoped that their smaller siblings would wander off from water the same and to the safety of the ridge tops.
It took me just over an hour to climb to the ridge top. I took my time getting to the top, checking all the thick stands of timber hoping to get a flush on my way to the top. But to add to my rookie nerves, I did not see any sign. No feathers and no droppings.
I got to the ridge top and walked its length to the East. The Maple and Aspen was thick. I was trying to come up with a game plan but honestly did not know where to start. As I headed back up the ridge to the west I decided to stop, take a break, and get some fluids in me. I also took this time to try and plan the way I was going to spend my next hour on the hill. Like I do many times, I did this hunt solo. I did not have anyone else with me. No dogs with a nose for finding my next meal. And I was going to be outsmarted if I kept hunting this way.
All of the sudden I heard a low, barely audible cluck. I circled up around a thick stand of maple. I was watching the ground level with as sharp of an eye as I could. All the sudden a little movement caught my eye and there down a slim path was the head of a Ruffed Grouse.
I slowly pulled my Escort 12 Gauge to my shoulder, released my safety and just as the bird began to take flight I pulled the trigger. Through the smoke I saw feathers in the air and heard another bird take flight. Due to the thickness of the cover I never even saw the 2nd bird.
I walked up to look for my first Ruffed Grouse taken and saw the feathers but no bird. After looking around I finally found the Grouse under a log, with its natural camouflage blending it in perfectly with the ground. I felt that hunting excitement that comes with taking game. It has not changed since my first dear 20 years ago.
That feeling makes me wonder why I stopped hunting for more than a decade. Its the feeling that is going to keep me hunting and fishing for years to come. I just sat there and took in this little bird and the beauty of it. I was not able to find any more birds that day but I was not skunked. I still have 3 more months of hunting this great bird and hope to improve my stats for the Forest Grouse.
First Camping Trip of 09
Brought the truck and trailer home 3 weeks ago and finally got up in Logan canyon for a 2 night 3 day camp trip. The kids loved the new trailer and slept great even though it felt like we were camping in a hurricane. It rained each night and most of the days we were up in the canyon.
We were able to find one last spot in the Malibu camp ground. We got a late start up the canyon cause we had to drive back from Monticello earlier that day. But the spot was great, right next to the river.
We are going to get a few good camp trips out of the trailer this fall before we get it ready for winter. Amy has some ideas for the interior that we can do to bring it a little up to date. I took some before pics of the inside so I will show you before and after pics once we have some some work.
We were able to find one last spot in the Malibu camp ground. We got a late start up the canyon cause we had to drive back from Monticello earlier that day. But the spot was great, right next to the river.
We are going to get a few good camp trips out of the trailer this fall before we get it ready for winter. Amy has some ideas for the interior that we can do to bring it a little up to date. I took some before pics of the inside so I will show you before and after pics once we have some some work.
Arches in July
Amy and I took the kids to Arches National Park the last week in July. Amy had never been down here even though we drive right by it every time we go to mom and dads. She is not much of a desert lover but I think she changed her mind about that a little after this trip.
The picture above and below is taken at the overlook at Park Avenue. It looks like a painting just standing here looking down the little canyon
My favorite rock formation that I have seen yet. Balance rock is one of the coolest things I have ever seen.
We took the little 1 mile hike back into double arch with the kids. They had a blast playing around on the rocks. Had a couple little trips and some tears but they had a blast
The last hike we took was back to Skyline Arch. The kids did great with the little hikes that we were able to sneak in. The temperatures were around 100 degrees in the days leading up to our hiking day but mother nature helped us out and gave us a cool 80 degree day.
The picture above and below is taken at the overlook at Park Avenue. It looks like a painting just standing here looking down the little canyon
My favorite rock formation that I have seen yet. Balance rock is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. 
We took the little 1 mile hike back into double arch with the kids. They had a blast playing around on the rocks. Had a couple little trips and some tears but they had a blast
The last hike we took was back to Skyline Arch. The kids did great with the little hikes that we were able to sneak in. The temperatures were around 100 degrees in the days leading up to our hiking day but mother nature helped us out and gave us a cool 80 degree day.
March 7, 2009
During my week off we decided to go down and visit my parents in Monticello Utah. They took us on a great ride around San Juan County and I took some pretty cool pics of some of the areas we went to.
This is a shot from the top of the Moki Dugway overlooking the Valley of the Gods. It is an amazing view that this picture hopefully captured for you.
Here is a quick shot from the truck that Amy took of the road down the dugway. She was holding her breath most of the way down.
Ethan did not want to get out and be in the picture so he is missing here but I am standing with Amy and Hazen on the lookout at the top of the Dugway.
Another shot from the top of the dugway.
Amy and Hazen with Mom and Dad
Here we stopped at the Mule Canyon Indian Ruins. It is a restored Kiva with a watchtower that is to our left.
We are standing in front of the house block that is attached to the Kiva.
Here is a wider picture that takes in the whole housing block.
Amy and Hazen with Mom and Dad
Here we stopped at the Mule Canyon Indian Ruins. It is a restored Kiva with a watchtower that is to our left.
We are standing in front of the house block that is attached to the Kiva.
Here is a wider picture that takes in the whole housing block.
It is amazing that many of these structures are still standing. As you drive around these back roads you can catch a glimpse of walls still holding to the sides of the canyon walls. One of these times I come down I am going to go for a walk in these canyons and get some good close pictures for all of ya. It is a good time of year to be in Southern Utah. Not to hot during the day but still gets a little chilly during the day.
posted by Cole
Turkey Tags Still Available in Utah
For those of you that did not put in for the Utah turkey hunt this year or did not draw out you are still in luck. The Utah DWR still has tags for sale online for the Sourthern Region, Regionwide hunt. The hunt runds from 5/04-5/31.
The hunt Unit is for the following Counties:
Millard, Sevier, Beaver, Piute, Wayne, Garfield, Kane, Washington and Iron Counties.
March 5, 2009
I'm Back
As some of you may know, I took a job last June out in Rock Springs with Halliburton Energy Services. It has been very busy for us out there and as a result my outdoor excursions have slowed down. As well as my update of my site. But I am going to start showing some pics from the gas fields of Western Wyoming. Spring is also coming and we are ready to get outdoors.
After leaving the computer and keyboard world I ended right back at it this winter. Here I am sitting inside of our command center at my workstation where I ran the horsepower pumps by computer that we use to push our frac fluids down hole.
Here are a couple of shots of our equipment. We go day and night.
It is great to work outdoors again. And each day at work is an outdoor excursion.
After leaving the computer and keyboard world I ended right back at it this winter. Here I am sitting inside of our command center at my workstation where I ran the horsepower pumps by computer that we use to push our frac fluids down hole.
Here are a couple of shots of our equipment. We go day and night.
It is great to work outdoors again. And each day at work is an outdoor excursion.
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