I apologize for the lateness of this TR, but it just dawned on me, Monday,
that Petah's Streamer Swap has a deadline of April 30. Until then, I had
naturally assumed that, allowing for the exchange rates between Canuckistan
and The Almighty Kingdom Of Bu****, that April 30 (northern appraisal)
equated to approximately May 23 (southern appraisal). Herr Commandant of the
Swap, Petah, confirmed otherwise. I briefly perused the NG to ascertain the
other swappers' progress and took note of the fact that all the good excuses
(and some second rate ones, as well) had been previously appropriated.
Therefore, I have spent my few spare hours this week under the heed of
Petah's unrelenting cybergaze and have finished and shipped my swap
streamers.


........bidness took me to Denver last week, so I conspired with Willi,
Charlie Wilson and Dave Mohnsen to meet up and share a little camaraderie
and some fishing. As the weather in the Ft Collins/Loveland area had been
nothing but bluebird for a couple of weeks, we were looking forward to a
pleasant weekend astream....until I arrived in Denver.

That's when the the local Weather Liars began forecasting 6-12 inches of
snow just in time for the upcoming weekend. Great! Dave, showing his good
sense, decided against the long drive and camping in the snow scenario.
Charlie's back had apparently tried, once again, to escape from his body
the previous week. The best way to combat this particular malady is to, of
course, lay down right square dab on one's back and be still until the
wandering spinal column has once again taken root and settled in the
appropriate sections of the body cavity. That left Willi and I to brave the
approaching blizzard and carry the flag to the local rivers.

After a great meal at a local Italian ristorante on Thursday night, Willi
and I woke on Friday morning, not to banks and drifts of snow as predicted,
but to a somewhat chilly and damp, but otherwise perfectly acceptable day
for fishing. Not an iota of snow on the ground. We went to Willi's local
stretch of river and Willi the Ghillie put me onto large fish after large
fish. These were big shouldered, beautifully colored fish that were eager to
hit the small PTs that I cast to them. The only thing that could have gone
better would have been if I could have kept any of them on my line for more
than a scant few seconds before having the leader break (again) and retire
to shore for rerigging. You know you have a good friend with you when they
don't snicker and giggle too loudly after you lose four of pounds of gear to
the fish without even coming close to landing one. Eventually, Willi started
fishing with his usual results. Pictures will be posted to ABPF soon. One
brown that Willi caught was so deeply colored it reminded me of a
pumpkinseed.... lots of shades of deep bright orange.

After lunch we moved up into the mountains to try the upper section of
river, but had no luck. In the evening, we returned to the local spot and I
finall landed a couple of fish. As Willi had to pack for his Saturday
morning trip to FLA to meet and fish with another group of ROFFians, we said
our goodbyes. I hope they are having fun down in the keys.

Saturday morning I called Charlie to pump him for info regarding his home
river. I shoulda knowed better. Charlie wouldn't have it any other way but
that he was going to guide me, bad back or no, on his river. We met at the
Wilson estate in Loveland. After a brief hi-and-bye to his wife Pat (how
come she don't get no older and we do?), we were off to the mountains. We
spent several hours having a great time chasing trout over a long stretch of
the Big Thompson and a smaller trib thereof, until the wind in the canyon
sent us home for a late lunch and a brew or two. Thanks again, Charlie, for
the expert guiding and the great company. Hope your back is still mending
well.

I returned to the local stretch of river on Saturday evening and again on
Sunday morning. I was actually getting the hang of landing those trout, but
the time to fly home arrived. I did manage to get a couple of pics of fish,
but did not get a pic of the largest as I couldn't get a hold of him with
one hand. Next time I'm bringing a net!

Thanks to Willi and his wife for putting me up and putting up with me. And
thanks to the Wilson's for letting me steal Charlie from his convalescence
to play guide. I will be back to this area again.

Danl