Chasing Cutthroats with Anthony Naples in RMNP
Anthony Naples (left) & Jason Klass (right)
I just got back from a quick trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with Anthony Naples from Casting Around. Anthony and I have had a long-term online relationship and many people might not know that he actually designed the graphics for the header of this blog. In addition to being a great graphic designer, Anthony is a true Neo-Renaissance man. He can adeptly discuss anything from tenkara to futurism to politics. I met him in person for the first time at the Tenkara Summit this weekend and was glad to confirm our personalities were just as compatible in real life as they were in the virtual world.
We hiked up the Lawn Lake Trailhead on the Roaring River. This spot is a very special place for me. It was the place where I first fished using a tenkara rod. It was the place I first met my number one fishing partner, Karel Lansky from Tenkara on the Fly. And, it happens to be full of my favorite fish: the greenback cutthroat trout.
The Roaring River is about as scenic as it gets and is perfect for tenkara
The cutts on this stream are not picky. I caught fish on every fly I tied on. I love their colors.
A Roaring River cutthroat trout on a sakasa kebari
The stream has crystal clear water, a light substrate, and is lined with beautiful flowers and fruit…
Streamside Flowers--I don't know what they are but they're beautiful!
Wild rasberries
Another Roaring River cutthroat
This little guy was ambitious!
We got pushed off the mountain early due to some thunderstorms rolling in. I’m not a meteorologist, nor a physicist, but I know that standing in the water holding a 12 ft. carbon rod pointing toward the sky is not a good idea. We got our fishing in and even though is was a short day, it was a good one. Kindred spirits don’t need much time to have a good time.
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About Me
Jason Klass is a former fly fishing guide who now exclusively fishes Tenkara for trout in the streams and lakes of Colorado...Read More
Among other things, Anthony ties some pretty cool flies,like yourself. The picture of the Roaring River is absolutely gorgeous.
I agree with Kiwi! That stream looks awesome!!!
Streamside Flowers–I don’t know what they are but they’re beautiful!
Ivan Tea (Chamerion)
Cool. Thanks Vlad!
Cool. Thanks Vlad!
Vladimir – name Vova (Russia)
I love reading your blog regularly lice
lice – no ))))
Jason, about how long is the hike to the trail turn off to Ypsilon Lake to fish the Roaring Fork below Ypsilon Lake. By the way the photos are excellent.
Hi Lew, not sure. I’d have to look on a map.
That’s OK Jason. I located the info. The Ypsilon Trail intersection is 1.5 Miles from the Lawn Lake Trailhead. Thanks anyway!
…great shots… thanks… Colorado here I come…
Dear Jason. I thank you for your time in keeping up with this site. I have greatly enjoyed your writing. Reading about your experiences convinced me to purchase a Tenkara outfit, which has begun to be most enjoyable for me. Thank you. Walter
Thanks Walter! That means a lot to me.
Jason, it was great to meet both you and Anthony and get some fishing time together. I am glad you both came to the summit. It’s good to actually get a chance to meet face to face.
Hi John, it was great finally meeting you too. And now that I’ve seen your mad sword skills, I know to never mess with you!
Thats the secret to getting good tips from guide clients. Wade softly and carry a 4 ft razor blade
Hey man, I’m still traveling and I’m away from the computer, so just a quick response…It was great to finally meet and fish together. Though it was much too short a time on stream. Hopefully if was only the first of many. Though it’s a 24 hour drive from my home, the Roaring river feels almost like home water to me. It is just such a pefect piece of tenkara water, one of my favorites. Thanks for taking the time to fish with me there.
Yes, definitely too short Anthony! Next time, let’s plan more time to fish together. In Bear Grylls voice: “the numba one rule of survival is to not die.”