Deerfly Diaries

Participants in the 23rd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic take aim at the gun and archery range

Nearly 450 vets are gathered in Snowmass Village, Colorado this week to participate in alpine and Nordic skiing and numerous other adaptive recreational activities and sports during the 23rd National Disabled Vets Winter Sports Clinic.

The clinic is open to U.S. military service veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, visual impairments, neurological problems and other disabilities.  The clinic offers the inspiration to take their rehabilitation to a higher level through positive physical, mental, and social experiences and challenges in a beautiful mountain setting.

Events include adaptive alpine (downhill) and cross country skiing, scuba diving, sled hockey, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, rock climbing, trap shooting, archery, snowmobiling, gondola rides, trips to the hot springs, plus educational and instructional workshops. 

The Roaring Fork Vally Sportsman's Association, www.rfvsa.org, hosts the vets for the annual shoot and barbecue at the public shooting range in Basalt this week.

Participants are instructed in trap shooting.  Some sit, some stand, some are blind in one or both eyes.  All have an opportunity to test their coordination and speed and have fun in an informal game of trap.

 

We had our usual mixed bag of Colorado spring weather.  It got a little cold and nasty, but that didn't slow anyone down.

Demarlon Pollard tested out the recurve bow.  He told me he's recently gotten in to shooting bows at a range back at home in San Diego.

 

Cindy Lyons was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Reserves.  Last year she shot for the first time while she was in a wheelchair.  Cindy discovered she could walk again at last year's Winter Sports Clinic after confined to a wheel chair for the prior eleven months.  She is also a sharp shooter on the pistol range.

Portray Woods proves his accuracy on the rifle range.

A highlight of the DAV shoot is the famous wild game barbeque put on by the Rifle, CO Elks Club.  Fare included elk tenderloin, venison meatballs, rabbit and rattlesnake sausage, wild boar brats, buffalo burgers, bbq chicken, jerky and summer sausages.  Desert included pies, cakes, brownies, and strawberry layer cake.

 

It was incredibly humbling and uplifitng to spend the day with all the amazing people who shared with me their good conversation, stories, and challenges. The day was a great success. Everyone had fun, stayed safe, and looked forward to the next event on their list for the week.

Glenn Melus Lands Ridiculous Rainbow Trout on the South Platte, CO

Those of you who follow my blog are asking your self two questions at this time:

1. Does Sue's husband ever work?
2. How is he doctoring these images in Photoshop to make the fish look so big?

Well, lucky for me, where we live you can carve out a pretty good living if you are a good trout fishing guide. And second, I'll assure you Glenn is much better at catching big fish than he is on the computer.

Take Glenn's word for it:

This is a lake run rainbow trout caught out of the South Platte River between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Reservoirs. A pod of big rainbows appeared in the run I was fishing creating wakes in the river.  I had enough time to make two casts- she ate on the second one.  A bull dog style fight left me the victor after several minutes of battle.  When it was all done the fish swam away tired but healthy. Gone back into the sea, the sea from which she magically appeared.  Thanks to the guys who came over to help me take these great photos!

Carbondale’s Sopris Sun in the LA Times

I have a new monthly outdoor column in our new local Carbondale, Colorado newspaper, the Sopris Sun.  Yes, I said new newspaper.  That's not something you are hearing a lot about lately.

Read my blog post on the Verteblog, Backbone Media's blog.  Or get right to the heart of the story in the LA Times.  My next column in the Sopris Sun will be in the Thursday, April 9th issue.

Fishing the Equinox

It seems fitting to spend all day outside on the first day of spring.  The fact it was my birthday and it was nearly 75 degrees in Glenwood Springs, Colorado also made it a great day to be on the river.

Glenn and I had a great day fishing the Colorado River.  We were to be sure to steer clear of the current fishing closures in place to protect the spawning rainbow trout.  Some of the deep pits; however, were productive with browns and rainbows.  We saw a good Baetis hatch in the afternoon, but I only saw one rising fish while we were there in the middle of the day.  Parts of the Roaring Fork River have seen good dry fly hatches lately.

A great way to spend the day after blueberry pancakes and a pink rose from my husband.

Images of spring in Carbondale, Colorado

The recent snowfall has blanketed the slopes in fresh white sheets, but there is no denying that spring is in the air.  Take a walk and it fills your senses.  Go closer to the local calving pastures and it fills one sense more than the others. 

Here are some images I captured over the last week.  Enjoy.

Prior to the snowfall, it seemed like summer was just around the corner.

A red-winged blackbird finds a meal in the cattails.

The muskrat takes a morning swim.

Mountain bluebirds flock in the hawthorn trees.

Wild turkeys scavenge for insects and seeds in the duff.

A Canada goose flushes from the snowy brush.

Just a Good Photo of Glenn

Elsie in the American Field National German Shorthaired Pointer Association Futurity

My two year old dog, Elsie, competed last weekend in the NGSPA Futurity.  You may have read a post I wrote last October about another Futurity in which she competed.  That one was the AKC Nationals.  This one was similar, but it was American Field Nationals.  Elsie's little is dual-registered and they were pre-nominated for both competitions.

I wish I could report that she will be returning home from Booneville, Arkansas with a ribbon.  There are likely a half a dozen dogs in most competitions who are capable of taking the money, but when it comes down to it, there are a lot of variables that detemine in thirty minutes which dog is the winner.  It sounded like she had a spectacular run, but the weather was a little problematic that day and, once again, she went birdless. 

Thank you to Gary Metzler, breeder and co-owner, who handled Elsie and his other dogs in his Zaltana line in the Nationals.  I wish them all a safe journey home: Elsie, Zorro, Cruzor, Itty Bitty (Elsie's litter-mates), Tonka (Elsie's Mom), Shawnee, Roxie (half sister and past 3rd place National Futurity Champion), Bubba, Prof, Deedee, Zee, and Red and Ollie (the horses).