TR: Skunked, but who cares...

Last week was spring break for us, and my wife and I headed up to
the Gila.

General pics can be seen at http://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~jcook/Pics/gila-sp2004/

We stayed at a cheap cabin right below Lake Roberts, and an
outfitter boarded our horse and mule for the two days we
were up there. I didn't bring the canoe, so the first evening I
took a few casts from the bank of the lake, trying to reach
stockers that were excruciatingly always just beyond my reach...
left a fly wrapped around my truck antenna to remind me to park
further away when trying to make long casts from the bank. Oh
well.

Some good riding the next couple of days in the Gila Wilderness,
the ground was nice and moist and there's still some snow on the
north-facing high slopes. On the second day we planned to ride up
the West Fork but the ranger said we wouldn't be able to make any
but the first crossing. (The outfitter had told us he had to
swim his horses across the main Gila earlier that week while lion
hunting). That's good news down here, it's been a while since
the Gila's carried that much water. So we took a dryland trail
over to the Middle Fork -- crossed belly deep on our horses
where normally it's probably ankle-deep. During lunch break I
tried swinging a few nymphs through some likely looking areas,
but no takes and had to pack up and leave without ever getting
a bite.

On the 5th picture you can see my 5pc Stowaway tied behind me
(relevant to the recent discussion of pack rods on horses).
All in all, it was my best skunked trip ever. Lot's of incredible
scenery, beautiful weather, and general R+R.

Jon.

Jonathan Cook wrote:
Last week was spring break for us, and my wife and I headed up to
the Gila.

Very cool, Jon. I can't get my stock out until the middle of May, at the
earliest.

Jonathan Cook wrote:
Last week was spring break for us, and my wife and I headed up to
the Gila.

General pics can be seen at http://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~jcook/Pics/gila-sp2004/

Some awesome looking country! You drive through New Mexico and all you
see is a "waste land". That makes those pockets of character scattered
throughout the state, even more special.

What's the hoodoo?

Willi

"Jonathan Cook" wrote in message
m...
Last week was spring break for us, and my wife and I headed up to
the Gila.

snipped TR

Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed the report, and especially the photos.
Many years ago my wife and I were in the area to visit the ruins, and I told
myself that someday I'd be back to fish the river. You've just thrown some
dry twigs those embers!

Cheers,
Bill

Nice report Jon. I have been down Little Bear Canyon twice backpacking and
I loved it. The high cliffs along the river were just amazing.

bruce h

"Jonathan Cook" wrote in message
m...
Last week was spring break for us, and my wife and I headed up to
the Gila.
General pics can be seen at
http://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~jcook/Pics/gila-sp2004/

( nice stuff snipped)

Jon.

Hi Jon,
Thanks for the pics. I spent a little time in the Wilderness area in the
80's when I lived in El Paso. Caught a few fish in the vicinity of the
ruins. (may have been tourist fish) As I recall it was near a
ranger/visitor complex. What was neat as I remember, was fishing a bit
early, doing the tourist kind of stuff during the day with a lady friend,
coming back in the evening, hiking to a hot springs area and relaxing in a
pool, then coming back to camp for a steak and a little wine, with a camp
fire.
At that time I'm sure there were less rules than now, so we were able to
camp without too many restrictions. ( made sure to ask beforehand though)
Thanks for helping my rusty mind make the recollection.
BestWishes,
DaveMohnsen
Denver
(hmm . . . as I think about it I was probably there only a couple times . .
..different ladies and that kind of stuff)

On 30 Mar 2004 15:49:13 -0800, (Jonathan Cook)
wrote:

Last week was spring break for us, and my wife and I headed up to
the Gila.

General pics can be seen at http://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~jcook/Pics/gila-sp2004/

Those are nice pics Jon. One think I miss living in the SE is that
it's such a long drive to that type of country.
--
Charlie...

Willi wrote in message ...

What's the hoodoo?

Last summer up in Banff a tourist sign at a scenic lookout
called the rocky spires left over from an eroding cliff
"hoodoos". I have no idea where it comes from or why or how
it's used up there, but it's just so fun to say!

Jon.

On 31 Mar 2004 08:21:00 -0800, (Jonathan Cook)
wrote:

Willi wrote in message ...

What's the hoodoo?

Last summer up in Banff a tourist sign at a scenic lookout
called the rocky spires left over from an eroding cliff
"hoodoos". I have no idea where it comes from or why or how
it's used up there, but it's just so fun to say!

That's what the formations in Bryce Canyon are called too. I think
it's used sort of generically for an eroded pillar of rock.
--
Charlie...

(Jonathan Cook) wrote in
m:

Willi wrote in message
...

What's the hoodoo?

Last summer up in Banff a tourist sign at a scenic lookout
called the rocky spires left over from an eroding cliff
"hoodoos". I have no idea where it comes from or why or how
it's used up there, but it's just so fun to say!

Jon.

Hoodoo definition:

http://geology.about.com/library/bl/images/blhoodoo.htm

In the Pacific Northwest and B.C the term is often used for volcanoes
that erupted sub-glacially and have a very distinctive "hoodoo" shape
because of it. In this context though the term "tuya" is more apropriate.

Probably OT and more than needed but it's nice to have something to say
once and a while!

Jeff Marso