Williams Creek Reservoir

For the perfect Day Trip head out Piedra Rd. from Hwy 160 to Williams Res., a 500 acre lake setting. Bring your fishing gear or walk the numerous hiking trails in the area. Brook Trout, Rainbows, and the coveted Kokanee can be taken with a Colorado State fishing license. Fly fishing is excellent below the dam. A photographers paradise. Photo Credit: Ray Diffee.

HAVE ROOF RAKE WILL TRAVEL

Well, I think Pagosans are finally entering the "Home Stretch" when it comes to "etreme" snowfall for this Winter Season. Snow levels weren't as high as 2008, but the Roof Rakers in our neighborhood made more than just a few bucks. Ace Hardware was well stocked this year with snow shovels and roof rakes that wouldn't buckle under the first time you used the darn thing. Metal roofs vs. composition roofs? As we all know, they both have plus and minus features. Hurray! Spring is just around the corner, I hope. Take your studded snow tires off and put your aerosal cans of Deicer back on the shelf. It might not even be too premature if I hose down the muck on the garage floor. Roads are clear; its time to take your vintage car for a spin. DRL

YELLOW JACKET PASS

Yellow Jacket Pass: Acrylic Mixed Media on canvas. Gifted to John & Pao Tallman, best friends and neighbors.

If you live or have stayed in Pagosa Springs, you've probably developed a subconscience fear of driving this segment of Hwy 160 between Pagosa Springs and Durango. When the animals are crossing, or the Vortex opens up, drive with caution and watch your speed. Watch for Skinwalkers, and heed their direction. DRL.

"Whispers #1"

A mixture of acrylic paint and raw earth was used to create a medium impasto surface for the piece, "Whispers #1", 12x12 on panel, $250. Don Long's art will be featured at the August 16, 2008, ART IN THE GARDEN show at the Rito Blanco Nursery off Hwy 84, Pagosa Springs CO. SOLD

"Whispers #1"

ART IN THE GARDEN August 16, 2008

HIGH COUNTRY CHARTERS FISHING REPORT UPDATE

The fishing on the “Quality Waters” has been great the last few weeks, even with the high flows. The river level is around 3,000 cfs now, and will be at 500 cfs by early July. This last week as the flow started to drop the fish have been feeding hard in the areas that I have been wading. As the water drops, areas that haven’t been fished are becoming accessible. These fish are in great shape and are fighting hard. They have definitely fattened up during the high flows. Last week the best patterns for me were, bloods, ufo’s, and orange bloods. The flows continue to be high in the Pagosa area, but are expected to start to slow down with in the next week. The high water makes it tough fishing now, but ensures a healthy river and great fishing through out the summer and fall. I am expecting our Private Properties to fish very well in the next 2 weeks. Below are some pictures from recent trips. Clay Craig with a Fat Bow on the San Juan with the flow over 5,000 cfs. That's me with a carp that was tailing! I put down the pike fly rod and picked up the 5wt. Hawk Storm didn't let the big one get away today!

Tight lines, Scott Taylor

http://www.highcountrycharters.com/ bass@highcountrycharters.com

970-946-5229

FOLK 'N BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

The first annual Folk N' Bluegrass Festival proved to be wonderful way to spend the weekend, under perfect blue skies up at Reservoir Hill. The crowds loved all the musical talent gathered for the weekend's entertainment. The diverse repertoire of songs of The Waybacks were well received as evidenced by the above photo. The soulful experience of the weekend was enjoyed by many locals as well as those who traveled across the state of Colorado to attend this wonderful event.