Mountain Villages

The road trip is one of my favorite things about fly fishing in high country locations. Dialing up good tunes on SiriusXM and gawking at the scenery along the way to a trout stream is very enjoyable for me. And there is nothing more invigorating than to roll across two-lane blacktop roads, winding through the mountains, and discovering quaint little villages that are a throwback in time.

Yup, the way of life in a mountain village is good for one's spirit, even when you're only visiting a short while. Now, I'm not talking about those touristy mountain towns where the well-to-do crowd go for gourmet dining, fashion shopping, and then speed off to the ski slopes. No, I'm referring to those little villages where you wonder what could such a small population of people possibly do for a living. 

Want a meal prepared by a cook, who knows home cooking is what keeps them in business with the locals? Then you should definitely stop at one of those lone roadside diners for a fabulous breakfast. My fishing buddies and I have some favorite diners that just seem to automatically pull our trucks into their parking lots. These diners are a must for any adventure, especially on a fishing trip into the Rocky Mountains.

Until a few of years ago, I planned most of my fly fishing trips with a preference for streamside camping. These days though, I'm just not that motivated to set up and break down campsites. No, if I can find a rustic cabin or an affordable motel close enough to a trout stream, well, I'm a very happy guy.