When I get home maybe I will be smart enough to post a picture. But, till then, we returned to Costa Rica in pursuit of better pictures of Quetzals. It just so happens that they, like wild trout, inhabit beautiful places. In the 1950s the original settler in the valley stocked some Redband rainbows from Oregon.

They are absolutely beautiful fish and this year they outdid themselves. Took my 1wt to explore a few holes. This time, having fished here a few times before, the fish were a tad less abundant. Brought three to hand and two more close. All on deer hair (grey) patterns. They would occasionally come up top but generally preferred a mid=water presentation.

The three I landed were 7, 8, and 10" . I lost a larger one close in and I think a real toad (16-20) rose and slapped at a fly. The fish were deep bodied and mature colors. I think they were decked out in spawning colors. All had large and profuse spots and the overall body color was green. The prettiest was a dark green (the stream itself is well shaded, and had the deepest purple lateral stripe I have seen.

May seem odd to pack a rod for a two-week trip for a couple hours on the water but the little gems were worth it. As were the Quetzals.