written and photographed by Mary L. Peachin
Feb 1999, Vol. 3 No. 4
The rainbow trout, its gill a brilliant red, flashed through the sparkling water of the Upper Colorado River. In a second, it broke the surface of the water to take the fly. Hooked. The trout jumped and ran until, finally, it was reeled in enough to be caught and released.
Terry Gunn, owner of Lee’s Ferry Anglers, cradled the trout in his hand as he gently removed the barbless hook. Pointing to the brightness of the gill, Gunn explained that the color indicated that the fish was spawning.