So it seems I and others have become fixated with all the missed opportunities that the Flood of 2013 brought. Missed opportunities at fishing that is. High dirty water, flushed out roads, swamped entrances, and ponds that look like lakes now seem to be what we are faced with.Or, so it seems, however, I am tired of my own whining and misfortunes. It could have been much worse and I know we will live to see beauty return to our trout streams and our ponds will be fish havens again.A couple of days ago, I came across this picture from The Hatch Magazine over on Facebook. It hit me in the heart, you might say. Then and there, I knew it was time to suck it up and push onward and "Never Say Never" when thinking about fishing opportunities available for me.
What an incredible picture! Do you think this ol' guy wants to be pitied? Hell, no! He just wants to be on the water and casting that fly rod and can't hardly wait for the anticipated tug on the end of the line. Had I been on that stretch of water at the same time, I think I would have stopped doing what I was doing and just watched this ol' guy for awhile. He's my new hero!Then I thought, you know what, lets not forget the great organization that is PHWFF or in longer form, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. This incredible organization is: Dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings.You may or may not have had the opportunity to see some of their actions and activities up close. Let me share a few pictures with you. While you are looking at them, think about it! It takes "Determination and a Never Say Never" attitude. I think I will "Buck Up" and go fishing!! I got this one, no problem, Bro'!
Some dry fly therapy is just what I needed! Match This Hatch, America!
Psst, Pond Stalker, wake up! This is supposed to be a blog about fly fishing for Bluegilll, Bass, the occasional Crappie, or a big bad Carp! What is that you say, Pond Stalker? You thought we were closed!No, Pond Stalker, you big dummy! That's our Federal Government that is closed. You know they can't figure out how to get out of the way of a disaster, so, they shut the door and are waiting for the Big Bad Wolf to come a knockin'.
You, Pond Stalker, can go fishing! Forget about the flood. That is the past. Presently, the effort being applied by all those who have gave time and money into helping assist with the clean up mess and the do-overs in Northern Colorado is well on its way. We as Coloradans will rise again! Let there be time and we will see sparkling waters, beautiful trout, ponds filled with Bluegill and Bass. Those, big ol' Carp, ain't going nowhere we can't find one with a little effort.
You know having lived through the Flood of 2013 in Colorado, and, seeing the relief efforts that are in place brings forth with pride the great Sense of Community that we have here where I live. It is truly remarkable! With that being said, I would like to direct this post to the Sense of Community that we all share in the blogging world with our blogs, and, with our individual fly fishing interests whatever they may be.
I have been a Blog writer for many years now, and while I in no way consider myself to be an expert at anything, I do have lots of experience and thoughts about the concept of Sense of Community via blogging. Good blogs have to have regular content. Good blogs must be able to capture the reader with information that they can use and apply in their own life experience. Good blogs must draw the reader back in the future wanting to read more about what you have to share with them.
The Sense of Community on a blog begins with the post, acquiring some readers, readers being willing to post a comment in regards to the post, and finally, the blog author taking the time to respond to those comments given by his or her readers. Pictures, videos, Blogrolls of your favorite blogs etc, all bring about a sense of community to a blog.
As an example, on the Pond Stalker Blog, down the right sidebar you will see Picture Links that take you to just a few of the many blogs I enjoy from other fly fishing or outdoor oriented blogs. In this case, I have linked up to the most reliable group of folks who have been long term supporters of my blog writing. They visit often, they comment often, offer wit and advice, and give me the feeling that they enjoy being a part of this community. This particular group of bloggers have followed me all over the road map of blogging for at least (5) years that I know of, probably more. I am willing to add others there also as the Pond Stalker blog grows, since this is a newer blog, as supporters come forward to share in the Sense of Community.
Note also that I have decided to go forth with a Facebook page for the Pond Stalker. Lots of stuff over there that you won't see here, So make sure you hit the the Facebook "Like" button and see what is going on on the Pond Stalker Facebook page!
I realize I am getting a little long winded here, but, the Sense of Community is just that. I read dozens and dozens of well written blogs every week and leave comments on those blogs on a majority of the posts I read. Let me wrap this up by saying how frustrating it is too me to leave a comment on another fishing blog, wanting to be a part of that community, only to "never" have the blog author respond to not only mine, but, any of the comments left by other readers. It happens way more than you think! There are those that respond to comments on their blog and always make you feel welcome, Those are not the ones I am talking about here. I am just asking that you do a little self evaluation of your blog. Do you respond to your readers? Do you provide them a Sense of Community? If not, you might find that the Sense of Community is the very reason your blog is getting less views or maybe just less comments being provided.
Hope you all stayed with me through this ramble! I like the Sense of Community!
Since Mother Nature intervened with the all the rain and the "so called 1000 year flood", fly fishing any water in Northern Colorado has been put on a serious hold. It may be quite some time before she releases her hold and all the damages can be assessed to life, home, family, animals, etc.
That being said, I have already began to wonder what Mother Nature's fly fishing plan has in store for me and my local ponds that I love to fish so much. Include in The Big Thompson River locally, let alone that which flows through the washed out canyon, and, it does look pretty bleak for those of us who love to fly fish and fish local waters in Northern Colorado.
The picture shown above is an aerial view shot that I came across that shows what used to be an area for several ponds that I like to fish for Bluegill, Bass, Carp, etc. Note that I said used to be! The area is now one flooded looking piece of water that more resembles one pretty good sized body of water instead of some home water for the PondStalker.
The Big Thompson River I love to fish in the canyon or down lower near my home looks like this before the flooding. The Big Thompson River looked like this a day or so ago. Where to begin to assess the problems?
Set me to pondering what happens when Mother Nature takes over, and if you will, moves the fish where she wants them to be. What happens to the fish in the ponds? Will they be there when the waters recede and the damages are assessed? Or, will the ponds have different fish in them? For example, a top notch pond for bigger bass, will those bass now be gone or spread out to who knows where? What about structures and other holding areas for the pond fish? Are they all gone, or, do they remain?
Another concern I have is the warm water ponds are in close proximity to the Big Thompson River in the lower stretches. Will we see Walleye, Catfish, Bass, and other Panfish, now reside in the Big Thompson river as a result of being washed there via the floods? Having never been through a major catastrophe like this before, I am pretty much clueless as too what we may find when the waters recede and calmer days are brought to us. I am sure the rest of 2013 near my home is not going to offer much, if any, fly fishing opportunities. What will 2014 bring? Any of my readers want to ponder this situation and provide comments? Sure hope you do. I have lots of time to read blog comments.
I would appreciate your time. Please take a look at my hometown Loveland, Colorado. We need your Prayers and Support!This video is a long one and taken by a local. It runs about (15) minutes or so. So if you have a cup of coffee and (15) minutes to spare, please take a look!
Depending on what part of the United States you happen to live in, you may not have been inundated with video from the massive floods that have wrecked Northern Colorado in the past few days. Thought I would post a couple of videos from near my home in Loveland, Colorado, near the banks of what is (was) The Big Thompson River. Just needing to take in it all, and somehow, have a perspective that I live here and fish here often. Just not in the last few days! If you haven't seen these on You Tube already, here are a couple of borrowed ones. Pond Stalker Headquarters appreciate those who took their time to shoot the videos. First video is from not too far from town as one would begin travel up Big Thompson Canyon.
The second video is from about a mile from my home where I have spent lots of time with my family enjoying The Big Thompson water.
