Finally, the last of the Local high-country lakes opened.
I pulled the boat up to Courtright, at 8,000 feet elevation.
Left the house at 3 am, and was trolling at the crack of dawn.
The fishing was above average, I caught and released 35 fish by 11 am.
That’s when most of the sleep in crowd started showing up.

First trout, 5 40 AM

34 rainbows and one German brown.
Nothing big, all 11 to 17 inches.
All caught on light tackle trolling small lures and spoons.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/130569.jpg

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it was pretty cold until the sun peaked over the East bank

Still some snow up at 9,000

Thanks for posting.

Enjoyed your story with my morning coffee.

Thanks for the photos, I always enjoy them. Based on your posts & photos over the past few years it looks like you catch a lot of fish up there with smaller broken back Rapalas. Is that your go to lure at Wishon & Courtwright? Don't know if I'll make it up there again but if I do any particular pattern or size work better than others?

yes
J-7s and J-9s in natural patterns and colors.
Of the 34 fish I boated, half were on the same J-7 brook trout color.
I had to replace the back treble this morning, it was too bent to fix.

Rainbow, silver or gold also work well.

Of course if the fishing is slow, you can always troll blades.

Thanks, blades are a last resort.

Awesome photos, some pretty country and healthy looking trout.