It’s pretty flat in Wyoming, but we’ve managed to set up camp at 12,000 feet nestled in the heart of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. I’m laying in my tent recovering from the final 1,000 feet of rock we just clamored over to get here. My brothers and I have spent the last 2 and a half days making it to this spot, by way of two intra-state road trips, one small town bed and breakfast, and a full day of hiking and fishing before a serious rock scramble. Before we had ever set foot out of our doorstep, this trip has been in the making for far longer. Years ago, my brother, Harlan, had sleuthed this location, and in classic fashion would never tell me exactly where it was. It was February, during our monthly brothers night dinner that Harlan finally divulged the location over a Korean hotpot meal. And six months later we had finally made it. Harlan, Ford and I – the three brothers Chumley, teed up for the ultimate high alpine fishing trip - four nights to camp, five days to fish. ...

Fall Upper Colorado Fishing Trip, pt. 2 - Upper Colorado [Continued from Part 1] Leaving the Williams Fork with a few more hours of good fishing left on the day, we swung into a familiar parking lot along the Upper Colorado River. We worked our way out of the car and down river to an island that sits above a long riffle run known to fish well. When we arrived, we were dismayed to find a restoration project was underway on this stretch of the river. Well, “dismayed” might not be exactly how we felt - it was great to see our fishing licenses and tax payer dollars being put to good use along water we fish. Nevertheless, we had to re-strategize, so we retraced our steps looking for other opportunities. ...

Fall Upper Colorado Fishing Trip, pt. 1 - Williams Fork Confluence Each year I am lucky enough to make the journey with 3-4 close friends to a very special place in Colorado. Somewhere between Kremmling and Parshall, where the scenery evokes imagery of what the west once was, we make our way to cramped, dusty cabins in search of migratory brown trout and the hopes that we’ll head back home with a few good stories. This annual fall pilgrimage is a great example that fishing trips aren’t really all about the fishing. ...

This past week my loving fiancee was in New York for work, which came on the heels of another week away while she enjoyed a trip in Portland with friends. I find these brief periods of once-again-bachelorhood to be perfect opportunities for evening time on the water. Queue a text from friend Addison, surveying interest in a post-work trip up Boulder Creek - talk about good timing. After working for the day in my company’s Boulder office, I met up with Addison and our friend, Dave, in a parking lot at the mouth of Boulder Canyon. Even though it’s a small creek trip with limited hours, we still exchange the typical pre-fishing stoke and pleasantries that one grows accustomed to. We rig up and hop in Addison’s Forester (official vehicle of Colorado) and drive up the road to find some water. ...

Welcome to Currents and Contemplations Hello - my name is Carter. I’m a fly-fishing enthusiast based in Denver, Colorado. This blog serves as a location for my thoughts and experiences both on and off the water. Ideally, a few people other than myself and my mother visit the website, but truth be told this is a place for me to combat my terrible memory. And maybe, it’s an invitation to practice presence in the moment, at least enough to regurgitate some words out that summarize this beautiful thing called life. ...