Spring Mountains Getaway

Looking south from Cold Creek Road toward the northern edge of the Spring Mountains Range. On the far left is Mummy Mountain at about 11,500 feet in elevation. The next peak(s) is actually the Sisters Peaks (South at 10,000 feet and North at 9,800 feet). The Sisters block out the view of Mount Charleston which tops out at 11,918 feet about 4 miles behind them in this camera lens line of sight. The next peak is Macks Peak at about 9,800 feet, followed by McFarland Peak to its right at about 10,700 feet. The next subtle peak, preceding the snow-covered burned slopes to the right of the photo, is Bonanza Peak at about 10,400 feet. Finally, the highest peak on the snow-covered ridge is Willow Peak (just under 10,000 feet). Each of these peaks are at different distances from the camera, explaining why their outline along the horizon does not match perfectly with their true elevations.

As a way of saying “Goodbye” to our southern Nevada winter, this morning I took a leisurely drive to the less traveled portion of the Spring Mountains west of the Las Vegas Valley, a trip that also moderated my adjustment to a valley temperature of just under 80 degrees. The Spring Mountains Range is about 60 miles long, and most of it angles off in a northwest direction from Las Vegas. Its most obvious view from the city is that of the prominent red rock bluffs on the west edge of the valley. Of course I took along a fly rod and a few flies just in case I decided to fish the pond at Cold Creek (I doubt you are holding your breath on that one).

Looking west over the Las Vegas Strip towards the red bluffs of the Red Rock National Conservation Area. Red Rock, and the unseen Mount Potosi off the left side of the photo, constitute the southern tip of the Spring Mountains Range. (Photo Creator: George Rose | Credit: Getty Images)

And yes, I did indeed submit to the call for casting a fly or two. There were just three or so vehicles parked in separate places where someone might start off hiking or riding on a mountain bike, and I was pleased to see the pond was looking very lonely on this mid-week morning. In a few hours my itch was sufficiently scratched after eleven hookups with rainbow trout, seven of which were brought to hand. Three were fairly chunky for planters and they tugged as strong as any ten-inch trout for twenty seconds or so. My last trout, perhaps more than ten inches long, was the most attractive of the day with somewhat darker colors and peppered spots all around.

This stocked rainbow (likely planted last December) was notably healthy given the pond’s tiny environment, but its peppered spotting made me think of wild trout. I headed for home right after holding it in my hand.

Although I am very familiar with Cold Creek, like all natural areas it often reveals new surprises to the observant visitor. For example, wild horses are a common sight at the pond, apparently somewhat less since recent herd thinning. There is the occasional duck and heron, and a kingfisher I once saw. On one visit four elk crossed the road in front of my truck (see this April 2010 blog post). One day in late November, I stopped on the road during a light snowfall to witness a coyote chase a jackrabbit right in front of my truck (see this November 2013 blog post).

As for today, my surprise was evidence that a good number of elk recently visited the pond for drinks. I also noted large heron tracks in the shoreline water. I have seen heron tracks often at the pond, but the elk tracks around it were a first for me. As warmer temperatures melt the winter ice off ponds with sandy shorelines, it tends to make the dirt surrounding the pond more muddy than usual. Cloven hoof tracks were evident all over, even a few feet out into the pond. At first I considered if they could be mule deer, but after carefully examining them in the drier areas around the pond I concluded they were too large to be deer (elk are three times heavier, plus or minus, than mule deer, thus their larger hooves). Here is some of that evidence:

Elk tracks evident in the shallow water.
Elk tracks in the deeper water.
Elk tracks in the drier dirt.
Elk tracks all over the place.

After getting over my fixation with the plethora of elk tracks, I strung up my little rod to see what was going on in the depths of the pond. There was no surface action and the morning was without clouds or wind, so the little trout would likely be nearer the bottom than the surface. I was fishing my 7 1/2 foot, 4-weight rod with a sinking line. All my hookups were around three feet deep. The trout did not seem to care what fly I threw at them (they were stocked fish, most likely from last December, with no holdovers).

Forgive me for never tiring of photos of trout with my fly rod.

Having such a pond so nearby is a blessing to me. It is easily accessible whenever I get antsy from longer dry spells, i.e., long gaps between fishing caused by scheduling issues of one sort or another (severe weather, obligations associated with a large extended family, fishing guilt, and other such reasonable obstacles). Where I live, a trip to quality water ranges from 200 to 400 miles – one way. Cold Creek is but an 80-mile round trip and four gallons of gas from my home. It is a very cheap price to rid myself of fly angling delirium tremens, or ADTs for short.

My little Fish Taco truck, sporting last summer’s suspension and bumper upgrades. Bonanza Peak is obvious on the right side of the photo.
A nine-inch rainbow trout makes ripples while fighting against the line, dancing under the reflection of Willow Peak on the pond. Just above the Tacoma, a mile off in the distance, the hamlet of Cold Creek is visible.

Author: FisherDad

I am a Christian who has been married to my wife for over four decades, with six children and four grandchildren so far. I have retired from a string of successful occupations as a certified public accountant, a chief financial officer, and a registered municipal advisor. I have been a fly angler for almost five decades. My one and only article submission was published by Southwest Fly Fishing magazine (now American Fly Fishing). You can learn more about me by clicking on “About” on the top of my blog page.

12 thoughts on “Spring Mountains Getaway”

    1. Luis –

      I am happy to see your comment. Some early morning I should take you to Cold Creek, you’ll love it. Isn’t retirement grand!

      May the Lord bless you and keep you…

      – Mark

  1. Always a pleasure to read these . . . and I don’t even fish!
    Such beauty you bring to all of us, as we see God’s gifts showered upon us wherever we are!

    1. Yes! His creation is all around us, everywhere! Amen! Amen!

      Loved hearing from you, and feel blessed you appreciate the blog.

      May the Lord continue to bless you and Perry.

      – Mark

    1. Brian –

      Hey brother, I appreciate your comments. The western mountains are quite different than the woods of New England and the Great Lakes Basin, but I think you would love it. Nature (flora and fauna) is always fascinating in its own environment. Even the desert seems beautiful if you live in it long enough to appreciate it, and of course it is. All of His creation is magnificent.

      Blessings to you and Betsy.

      – Your brother Mark

  2. Hi Mark,
    Thank you for another wonderful blog. I always appreciate your colorful, informative, and rejuvenating writing style. You are a blessing to us all.

  3. Good morning brother Mark,

    Gorgeous pictures as always and Mike and I also enjoyed your blog writing. Looking forward to fishing alongside you (hopefully) and Bruce at Big Bear Lake in the not too far future. Blessings to you and family. 🙏❤

    Love, June and Mike

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