Chevelon Lake

October 11 2008

Since I have started to really get into fly fishing this year I have been looking for and dreaming about my first big brown. All summer long I have been hearing about how during the fall spawn they really start to get active up at Chevelon lake. So when I heard that my Mother and Sister-in-law were going to be in town in October I figured that would be my chance to get away. So after a week of anticipation and dreams about 20"+ browns taking me into my backing I was ready to go. However there was one problem, the weather report was saying 40+ MPH winds all weekend long. Being one who hates to change his plans as well as not understanding when to give up I decided to head up anyways. So Late Friday night I drove 3 hours up to Chevelon Lake and hunkered down in my sleeping bag in the back of my "new" Jeep (from here out known as Rubi) for the night. I started to get concerned when at 2 in the morning "Rubi" started to rock and shake from the winds, but while falling back asleep I hoped for the best. Sadly when I awoke at dawn to the sound of tree limbs snapping in the wind I knew I was in for an adventure. I snaked out of by sleeping bag and strapped my pontoon boat onto my back for the mile hike down the canyon into the lake.


I knew it was going to be a ruff day when I could barely get into my pontoon boat without it blowing down the lake. But not to be deterred I lunged in and despite the small group of boy scouts looking at me like I was crazy (while probable thinking how exciting it's going to be to finally have the opportunity to put to use the CPR they learned for their first aid marit badge) I kicked out into the lake. The wind was blowing spray from the lake horizontal across the water and as I tried to row and kick across the lake the wind drove me down the lake five feet for every two feet across. To make a long story short I've learned my lesson and for now on I will heed the weather man.

I stayed and fished the whole day and after cramped legs from constantly kicking my fins against the wind, and sore arms from rowing, I had myself 3 small Rainbows to show for it. Despite all of that, it was, as it always is, a great day to be in the outdoors and a wonderful place to spend a Saturday.