Our highlights of 2011

I've been sitting here tonight, flipping through the picture folder on the computer, looking back at all the great memories that have been made in the outdoors over the past year.  This time of year can be tough to find material to write about!  Even though I have freedom from work for a week the kids are out of school and I need to spend time with them, there's family to go see, and oh yes, there is also the list of "honey-do's" I'm sure every married guy is familiar with.  Well, I'm trying to get out as much as possible, but as I look back I thought this might be a good time to share some of our families memorable outdoor experiences this year.


I hope you enjoy what I have to post...I wish there was more!  I spent nearly 10 weeks on fire assignments in Texas this summer, time I sure wish could have been spent with my family in the outdoors.  There were some great things that happened that I will never forget in the short time I was in the field this year though!  I caught my largest fish to date, a 13 1/2 pound splake trout.  At 37 inches it would have blown the state catch and release record out of the water had I known it at the time!  I also landed several lake trout on the same lake, another first for me.  I had some awesome trips to the higher lakes on the mountain here early on, we were actually busting through snowdrifts on the hike in this year.  During two days I was able to catch 4 species of trout (tiger trout, colorado river cutthroat, brook trout, and rainbow trout).  My kids out-fished their dad on almost every trip I took them on and I couldn't be more proud! 


Top it all off with an amazing hunting season.  Although I did not bag a buck this year, I was able to set a friend up on an awesome 25" toad.  I spent 7 days crawling all over the Dutton range as I was able to hunt with my brother who had waited 14 years for his limited entry elk tag.  There are so many other stories in between! 


Recently my friend Steve Barker shared with me a video he had created during his 2011 outdoors season.  At over 30 minutes long, this video showcased Steve and his hunting group as they roamed Utah and surrounding states hunting a wide variety of game.  The video really impressed me!  Steve compiles the video and pictures to create the video himself, and gives a copy to each guy in the group.  What a way to keep the memories.  I can't wait to start my own this coming year.  Thanks for sharing Steve!  May all of you have a very successful 2012!  Get out in the field and make the most of it!

 

Happy New Year from our family to yours!