Chama Land and Cattle's Cassie Wood served up the spoils from our first day's spruce grouse hunt as prepared by Chef Kirk Vandermaat. Breasts were braised in white wine while legs and thighs were braised in red wine and grouse stock then wrapped in bacon. Oh my!
The panoramic vistas of Chama country are awe-inspiring as are the almost radical increases in elevation.
The fish activity was remarkable as rising trout continually leapt a foot or two out of the water feeding on surface flies. Our job was to try to keep switching offerings in order to match what they were eating.
And leap they did! Carpenter prepares to release a rainbow that jumped right into his boat!
High country is synonymous with rapid changes in weather which we witnessed first hand. Blue skies and sunshine switched to clouds, showers and high wind every few minutes. There's not much that could damper Chafin's enthusiasm…
…not even a missed strike at a rising trout.
When the sun popped out again, Chafin pounced on his next opportunity.
Pretty hard not to grin when you're having this much fun…
…or just taking in some of the incredible sites of the Chama region. This pinnacle is called Diamond Rock.
Deputy Editor Gerry Bethge waits on a trout before calling it a day.
Fire in the hole--time to get down to the brass tacks.
Ready to roll.
It's getting there. A few minor adjustments later and both hunter and guide were confident that any bull that walks out within range will be in trouble. Come back tomorrow as Steve Chafin's elk hunt of a lifetime unfolds on Outdoorlife.com.
Come along to Chama, New Mexico for one lucky reader's dream hunt of a lifetime!
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