1. Reel-izing… see what I did there
As I lie in a top bunk in the yurt and lose myself
through the stars I can think of nothing. My mind has
finally, thankfully, stopped beating.
I wake to the sand pounding the walls and it sounds
miserable out, as I'm so very cozy in my bag. I push
myself to get up; maybe the lake is calm and ready for
fishing. I know nothing about high altitude angling but
I'm willing to try and try again until something works.
I spend the day hanging out with 17 other amazing
people; all who are from across the US, all different
backgrounds and ages but somehow we have made it
here to CFI for some common reason. There is a
common thread between us all, a visceral joint in which
we all crave the outdoors and protecting this delicate
earth. Learning from these new friends and teaching
and sharing what I know is such a great feeling and I
am just truly elated to be here.
The day ends and the sun lies down slowly behind the
snow bearing clouds. Tom, Ben, and I drive seven miles
up the road and drop a line in. Remember, I know
nothing. I have just gone to the store and returned with
Night Crawlers, a spinner, and even a Woolley Booger

2. fly (even all I have is a regular Wal-Mart rod). Back in
Alabama we go out on a little boat and drift down the
river. We toss in jugs which have a thin cord tied
around them. From the cord is a two foot long piece of
line, followed by a large weight and hook. We slowly
cruise the water, baiting the hooks with large Crawfish
and shrimp and tossing them from the boat, left, right,
left, right. After we have 50 to 100 jugs out we can look
back down the river and there’s a long zig-zag line of
floating jugs; now we wait. Once we see one take off
and a jug is zipping around the river we simply pull it
from the water and just hope it’s a big Catfish we can
fry up for dinner!
I have a feeling Colorado fishing won’t be this easy.
We park on the road just above the Arkansas River. I
throw a worm in and the cast nearly reaches the other
side of the water. The river slams into rocks just under
the old railroad tracks. The worm is juicy, my fingers
frozen, the river rages over rocks... there's nothing. I put
on a light weighted lure that has a fat white round head
and a fly like white tail, Wally World special. Second
cast, THERE IT IS!! I hook it and pull it on in. I'm ecstatic;
give a loud scream of "Whoodie HOOO!!" to the boys...
my first trout.
Today I realize that not only do I have the most

3. amazing job (maintaining the peaks of the infamous
14ers of Colorado), but also I have the most amazing
life, period! I found this following my heart to the
mountains and conserving.
Jess,
Please edit this as you see fit. If you have any
pointers or tips for next time or want me to change
anything this time please let me know.
I have also included a little Hiku, nothing too
amazing but I thought that maybe it could be an easy
option if folks don’t want to dive into a Blog right off

4. the bat. Maybe we could have a blog section and a
Hiku tab? I dunno… I’m going to do an exercise next
week at training and have everyone write a couple. Let
me know your thoughts!
Hope all is well!
-Jess
Yurt time at Twin Lakes
6 beds, 1 dome, simple life
This is my passion