Posts: 285
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2008
Reputation:
0
My brother and I did a week trip to the wind rivers 2 weeks ago. the weather was great, mesquitoes were bad and the fishing was epic! one of the days we hit a lake were we caught golden trout 16-19 1/2" in length all day! i have pics of the biggest ones. I was a 1/2 inch off from my goal of a 20" golden. I also have some pics of some of the colorado cutts we caught as well as a Snake River cutt I got on the way home. we did 50 miles in 4 days which is one of the more stupid things i've done in my life. I dont know if my knees will ever be the same. It was definately a trip of a lifetime!
[signature]
Posts: 167
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2008
Reputation:
0
Those are some gorgeous fish! Congrats! Thanks for the report!
[signature]
Posts: 4,335
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2008
Reputation:
0
thats so badass. i cant wait to hit that area up when i get home! were you guys fishing wind shadows, or just casting and stripping?
[signature]
Posts: 15,536
Threads: 1,315
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
12
Those are some beautiful fish and gorgeous scenery. Thanks for sharing.
[signature]
Posts: 639
Threads: 1
Joined: Apr 2007
Reputation:
0
I am no expert since I have never caught one but those look like cutts to me not golden trout. In any event, they are pretty fish.
[signature]
Posts: 1,081
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2008
Reputation:
0
Congrats man! The wind rivers is an amazing range, just rocks and trees and rocks and big fish! I backpacked in a couple years ago and caught some of the coolest fish of my life, amazing trip but you definatly pay for it in leg cramps and side aches when you're getting into the country! Did you see any bears? there was sign everywhere when I went
[signature]
Posts: 455
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
Those are some beautiful fish and even better scenery. I passed up on a wind rivers trip to bowhunt and those pictures almost make me regret it.
[signature]
Posts: 285
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2008
Reputation:
0
They are without a doubt golden trout. I've caught 100's in 3 different mountain ranges. I think they are actually prettier when they are smaller and still have their par marks. I also think the goldens in the winds have a unique look to them compared to anywhere else I've caught them. That may be due to the size, I'm not sure, I'm no expert either. And, by the way, I love your avatar pic Ktrout. That king is a hog! How much did it weigh? here is a pick of a 12" golden out of the White Cloud range in Idaho. Also a 14" from the Big Horn Craggs in Idaho. I think they look bettter than the big boys... That said, I'd like to go catch more big ones!
[signature]
Posts: 285
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2008
Reputation:
0
Didn't see any bears. In fact I don't remember seeing any sign. What trail did you hike? We were above treeline most of the trip and didn't really see must in the way of wildlife.
[signature]
Posts: 639
Threads: 1
Joined: Apr 2007
Reputation:
0
Yeah I think I must be more familiar with seeing pictures of the smaller golden trout with more vibrant colors and par markings compared to what you posted. Nice fish and pictures no matter what. And a trip I want to go on someday.
The king was 64 lbs, Kenai river last year. It was a blast.
[signature]
Posts: 815
Threads: 0
Joined: Dec 2007
Reputation:
0
Holy cripes!! That is amazing!!! I will be up on the west slope of the winds in a week but we are not doing the hike in stuff. I do want to do it though in the future! PM me if you dont mind and maybe give me some tips on big goldens like that!! Nice work and beautiful goldens, the winds look incredible and so does that river! Please let me know.
[signature]
Posts: 3,842
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2003
Reputation:
0
My windriver report can be found on the Idaho forum. Looks like square top. Did you go in the Green River entrance? That is a heck of a hike. I went 20 miles in three days and that was bad enough.
I've tried many times for goldens that big. Only caught the little guys. Even hiked my tube into Wall lake.
Windriver
[signature]
Posts: 285
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2008
Reputation:
0
Went in Elk Hart trail head and came out Green River. I can't believe you packed a tube into Wall lake, wow! I've heard of some hogs coming out of Wall Lake.
[signature]
Posts: 1,081
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2008
Reputation:
0
We were on the trail up from the big horn observatory at Ross Lake, we didn't see many animals either but found a dead bear and saw scat and tree scratchings around. The ranger we ran into also said there'd been a few around. If it wasn't so far away I'd be up there every summer, it's worth it for the scenery and the amazing quality of fish!
[signature]
Posts: 236
Threads: 0
Joined: Nov 2008
Reputation:
0
Epic trip indeed!
We recently did 35 miles in 4 days in the Uintas - I tip my hat to you sir. I know how rugged the Winds can be. I'd probably be consigned to a wheelchair if I attempted what you did. These 46 year old knees ain't what they used to be.
Thanks for sharing![cool]
[signature]
Posts: 21
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2008
Reputation:
0
The winds are an amazing place. We recently did 40 plus miles in 5 days. Started at Big Sandy, went up through the Cirq ,over Lizard head, down through the south fork lakes, stayed a night at Grave lake. (Grave lake had some MONSTER lake trout - lots of fun) Then up and over Hailey Pass. My knees were also dead afterwards, I did nothing but work and sit around the house the next week my knees were too sore to do anything else.
[signature]
