If you know me, you know my passion is water. Being in, on, and around it excites my curiosity and refreshes me to the core. There’s something magical about how water dances in and around rocks. The way it pushes and pulls sometimes in a violent manner and yet can also be so calm and tranquil. Its sounds; from a gentle trickle to a powerful roar. I also can’t stop thinking about the biodiversity that thrives in it to create these vast echo systems. Water just fascinates me.
That’s why I’m excited to share with you some of my favorite photographs of people playing with some untamable water.
Fishing for Ghosts: Chasing Artic Grayling in the Heart of Colorado’s Wild
I first heard of this crazy fish in Colorado maybe five years ago with a giant, flamboyant dorsal fin like a beta fish called the Arctic Grayling. Due to their need for clear, cold water, graylings are only stocked in a handful of bodies of water across Colorado. When I found out they were in Peal Lake near Steamboat while on a shoot for CPW, I knew I had to come back for them. I kept it in the back of my mind for a few years before moving it to the top of the priority list in 2023.
With adventure in the air, I reached out to the Colorado Kayak Fishing Club for a kindred spirit on this piscine pursuit. Justin Collins, a father, social worker, and emerging master of the kayak angling domain reached out with enthusiasm. The stage was set for an introduction to the illusive Grayling.
Justin Collins is only a few years into kayak fishing but proves to be no novice. With two master angler catches and the 2023 Colorado Kayak Fishing Club’s Angler of the Year title under his belt, he was the ideal ally for this pursuit.
It was fall, and when I say fall, I mean right smack dab in the middle of peak leaf-peeping season in the area. From the time that I jumped off I-70 in Silverthorne, it brightened up and painted a canvas of that amazing yellow glow that all Coloradans and tourists from far and wide seek to find. It wasn’t just the aspens in full fall color, but the Cottonwoods and birch were holding strong in bright yellow. I even saw a full hillside of red unknown brush at one point. It demanded several stops to grab a couple of shots during the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Silverthorne to Pearl Lake.
I made a stopped in beautiful Steamboat Springs to grab what might be the best pizza in all of Colorado from Beau Jo’s (try the Cajun). Leftover pizza is one of my go-to snacks for camp or on the water. Then I headed over to Steamboat Flyfisher to grab a few flies and a quick stop at F.M. Light & Sons to check out the boot selection before meeting up with Justin at the campsite
Pearl Lake is a hidden gem (pearl) of a lake. Located 28 miles north of Steamboat Springs and five miles east of Steamboat Lake State Park. This 167-acre, 75-foot-deep body of quiet, wakeless, Gold Medal water is adorned with Cutthroat, rainbows, brook, and brown trout. Pearl is perfect for any kayak angler to get his or her fix of tranquility amid nature’s splendors. You’ll want to book your campsite or yurt early because the 38 campsites and four yurts book up quickly during peak season.
Our camp was perched on a hill overlooking a spectacular view of the lake surrounded by rolling hills patched with the glowing yellow of fall. After a brief introduction, we launched into the still waters in search of the elusive Grayling. We quickly got into a few small stocker trout while trolling up and down the east side of the lake when all of sudden Justin had something hit his Tasmanian Devil while dangling it just in the water. Slam! It was a grayling. Not only was it a grayling, but it was nearly fifteen and a half inches long, making it half an inch above the mark for Colorado Master Angler qualifications. This was going to be easy. So, we thought…
The Arctic Grayling is in the salmonid family which means they are relatives of the salmon, trout, and even whitefish. They can be recognized by their distinct, large, and colorful, sail-like dorsal fin. This beautiful species calls North America, Europe, northern Asia, Siberia, and North Korea home. Throughout mainland Alaska, you can find them in freshwaters that have the right amount of dissolved oxygen and a water temperature between 50- and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Here in Colorado, they are small. A large one reaching 16 inches and the Colorado State record being 17 and ¼ inches. That’s pint-sized in comparison to the nearly 6-pound recorded through the IGFA and with tales of 40” grayling being caught up in the deep mountain lakes of the Altai Mountains of Mongolia.
Continuing to troll the lake, the rest of the evening provided us with a few more stocker trout but not another grayling for the day so, we packed up and headed back to camp to strategize for the next morning.
We hit the peaceful water early, starting on the south end where Justin picked up a beastly, beautiful trout. From there we cruised the east side of the lake again and over to the dam, then around to the boat ramp nearly covering the entire lake without another grayling being pulled out of the water.
Around noon, the wind picked up and stirred the lake’s surface into frothiness. We conceded and headed back to camp to pack up. Even though the Grayling proved elusive in quantity, examining one up close marked our adventure as a victory -an embrace with nature on one of Colorado’s hidden gems, chasing legends that swim beneath the surface.
As a seasoned outdoor and adventure photographer, I find myself traversing the wilds in search of the perfect shot, often using unconventional modes of transportation. Be it atop a mountain bike, or skis, hanging off the side of an ATV, or my favorite, from the deck of a boat. Through my relentless pursuit of finding the perfect camera bags/case, I’ve amassed a diverse collection, ranging from professional-grade models by Lowepro to the humble $20 soft-sided coolers snagged from local sporting goods stores. While my relentless pursuit of finding the perfect 2-3 bags for all my needs continues, check out my current line-up that accompanies me on my journeys.
Join me as I unveil my trusted companions and delve into the reasons behind my favorites and their indispensability.
Lowepro Pro Roller X 200 AW
This professional roller bag is my sweet spot for looking professional and carrying two bodies along with all of the lenses and on-camera flashes a photographer might need for an event or rolling through the airport. It looks professional and comes apart, turning it into a backpack. I’ve never used this option but it’s there just in case.
Blind Bag
Now this is my go-to kayak fishing bag. I picked up this blind bag up for around $50 at Gander MTN and my Lowepro insert fit perfectly. I can fit two cameras with lenses attached, two to three extra lenses, an on camera flash, all of my extra gear, and I still have room for more. The key to this bag is the bathtub bottom that keeps all of my gear dry from the water that floats in and out of the kayak. While the upper section isn’t waterproof, it’s resistant enough for a light rain. I’ve had this bag for around ten years now and it’s been on hundreds of trips.
This is supposed to be my replacement for the game bag above. It’s been on the last few trips with me but I haven’t figured out the perfect configuration yet. It’s not as tall so my insert doesn’t fit yet leaving my 70-200 attached to a body lying down in the bag. Plus it doesn’t have all of the external pockets of a game bag. I do like that it is very waterproof and the zippers are even coated. I’m still working on finding the perfect insert for this bag but am happy with so far.
Now this bad boy, I’ve had for maybe the longest out of all of my bags. It’s a great backpack for travel and can even house my laptop. I wouldn’t take it on a long hike, but for a short pop into the woods, it works great.
SKB i series
The SKB – This hard sided, waterproof case was purchased for larger vessel shoots and while I still use it to carry my camera gear from time to time, its been clutch for carrying strobes onto a plane. I don’t like to check my lighting so when I need to, I can throw 2 strobes and a few odds and ends and it fits into most overhead compartments. It’s durable, waterproof, and I can stand on top of it if needed.
Lowepro Fastpack 250 AW II
I have had many day bags over the years and this one has lasted me at least five of those years. What I look for in a day to day camera bag is that is can carry at least one body, two lenses, an on camera flash, my laptop, and some accessories. It also needs to have some sort of water system and solid waist straps. This one does it all.
Clik
The Clik – I originally purchased this bag for snowboarding but it’s a little big if I want to really shred. It’s been clutch though for hiking. I can carry a body with a lens in the bottom, snacks, and a rain jacket. All you need for a day on the trail.
Dakine
This guy was going to be my hiking bag and still is on occasion. What I don’t like about it is the waist straps are sturdy leaving much of the weight on shoulders. What I love is the insert. I pull the insert and put it into other bags for travel or adventuring.
Random Cooler
I bought this cooler for moving water in a kayak with less gear and it’s been great. I also use it to carry lighting when I only need two strobes for a shoot.
YETI GOBOX 30
My paddleboard go-to. Add an insert and you can put a camera, two lenses and some fishing tackle for day on the SUP. I like the tiedown points and I added gear track to the back to attach my rod holders.
Mountainsmith Tanack 10
This is a cool little daypack that I use pretty often to carry a camera body and two lenses. It’s great for a short hike or cruising around the city.
It’s wild how many camera bags I have and use. I do feel like if only I could design my own bag and case, I could narrow this down to two, maybe three but until someone lets me, I’ll keep hunting for that perfect bag. Have you found one? Let me know in the comments if you’ve found that perfect all-around bag or what your go-to is for travel and adventure.
I recently won a journalism award for a fashion shoot that I did for Yellow Scene Magazine. You can see the whole article here: https://yellowscene.com/2022/07/31/fabulous-a-look-into-the-colorado-drag-scene/
Last week I did a test shoot with one of my favorite Colorado models in Evergreen, Colorado. The theme was "cowgirl" and I think it turned out pretty well.
Check out some of my favorites and let me know what you think.
