I was fortunate enough to get out for a couple of hours last week and get in some early spring fishing.  Spring has to be one of the best times to get out fishing (the other best times would be any time you can get out fishing).  I went to Parvin Lake, by Red Feather Lakes, CO.  Parvin is a catch and release only lake.  You are also restricted to flies and lures, no bait, and the only water craft allowed are belly boats.  The reason for this is that Parvin is a State Research Facility.  They have been studying a the Hofer strain of rainbow trout for whirling disease management. 

From Parvin Lake

The ice was off about 20% of the lake.  So there was limited area to fish.  I didn't bother taking the float tube down either.  Just wading.  I was able to hook two nice rainbows one of about 16" and the other 12".  The 16" fish had a tag. 

From Desktop

I've never caught a tagged fish before. At first glance I thought that some flash from my fly had gotten stuck to it.  But, it was tag stuck in close to the dorsal fin.  Pretty cool.

From Parvin Lake

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