Fish stories

Fish stories Casting lines, making memories

JENNAYE DERGE

Hooking and reeling in big catches, setting records and winning competitions can put a sparkle in the eye of almost any angler, but even Cortez angler Kelly Jo Hall said it can sometimes be difficult to remember those numbers – sizes, weights, dates – they can all get a little jumbled, especially if you are anything like Hall, who often reels in record-breaking catches. The real memories are often more about the bigger picture rather than the sizes and numbers of the catch– though, those big numbers sure do help. Hall has become infamous in global fishing circles for competing in big catches and breaking records around the world. Earlier this year, Hall held nine world records in women’s freshwater fishing under the IGFA (International Game Fish Association). Her competition in New Zealand just recently broke two of her records, but Hall has no reason to be worried. She has four more world records pending and she gives no hint of stopping.

Her and her long-time boyfriend, Joe Crosby frequently fish together and are always attempting some sort of record– even if they are just enjoying an afternoon at Vallecito Lake. The couple has recently set a record at Vallecito for catching (and releasing) 116 trout in just a single 6-hour day “And that’s [Kelly] catching them. I sit there and tie the hooks and coach her,” Crosby said. 116 rainbow trout in one day is no easy feat and it quickly became a fun competition between the couple.

“There were four poles, two people and he’s tying hooks and I’m reeling the fish in,” Hall said.

Even record-setting anglers get out for the fun of it; just to see what they can make of a nice weekend out on the water.

Four Corner local, Pauline Ellis’ favorite fishing memories also have less to do with a large competition or a trophy fish and more to do with a beautiful day spent out in nature.

Ellis is the president of the Five Rivers chapter of Trout Unlimited and started fly fishing after retiring from the forest service. Even though she felt a little intimidated to begin, she quickly became “totally obsessed” with the sport, she said.

After she gained her barings through guided trips, she started to feel comfortable going by herself and had a lot of luck finding local holes that fished well for her. One spot in particular, her secret spot in La Plata Canyon, has given her a bounty of fish and plenty of memories.

“One day I was down there with my two little dogs in this one hole that I had been successful with and I looked over at my little yappy dogs who were staring across the creek and I had no idea what they were looking at,” Ellis recalled. She looked across the river and spotted what she described as a “beautiful blonde bear, just sitting on the cliff, launching away at some plant life.” The bear, she said, seemed to have no clue she was there until she told the bear to go away and, luckily, it did.

“That’s one of the moments that brings together what fishing really means to me, and a lot of other fly fishers; the peace and solitude on the river and interactions with nature,” Ellis said. She did end up getting a nice brook trout that day, but the experience with the bear is what tops off all her fishing experiences.

“Fly fishing is so much more than just the fish,” Ellis said. “Sometimes it’s the solitude and the beauty of being on the water by yourself. Sometimes it’s sharing your experiences with other friends, learning from each other and having a good time whether there’s fish or not. Those are all the things that, together, make fly fishing so special.”

Kelly Jo Hall Photo courtesy Joe Crosby