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168 • S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S gave way to the surrounding aspen and conifer forests. The trout were still holding deep, so we set up our rods for trolling while Mom and I gave Keeton the highlight reel of yesterday's events. "So let me get this straight . . . " Keeton asked quizzically. "You've been fly fishing while pedaling backwards?" Clearly he had not anticipated this particular application of the MirageDrive 180. "Yeah, you've got to try it!" I replied. But for now Keeton decided he would leave the backwards pedaling to Philip and me, rigging up his fly rod with a dry fly and dropper combination instead. He and Philip pedaled out onto the lake in the inflatable Hobies while Mom and I each took one of the newly arrived Outbacks. I have often viewed fly fishing as a solo activity, or at least one that works best with fewer people. When I would fly fish the mountain streams back home with Dad, we always maintained a healthy distance to avoid interfering with each other's casts. But fishing these lakes in the Hobie kayaks completely changed that dynamic. We still maintained a safe distance from each other, but having four kayaks and two jon boats on the water at the same time created a decidedly more social and laidback atmosphere. We traded friendly banter in passing or inquired as to how the other person was doing. had managed so long without the ability to pedal in reverse. For a moment the big trout surfaced, then darted away on a smoking run. I let her take line against the smooth drag of my fly reel. Then she doubled back directly toward me, but I quickly pedaled in reverse to maintain tension on the line. Finally, her strength began to falter, and I was able to guide her into my net. Her jewel-toned body more than filled my net, and she weighed well over six pounds according to Pat's best estimate. Dad shot photos as I lifted her from the net and revived her, and after a few seconds, she gave a strong kick and slipped out of my hands—an ideal ending to a flawless day. T he next morning we were joined by our longtime friend Keeton Eoff, head of Strategic Development for Hobie Cat Company. He had arrived the previous evening with two Hobie Mirage Outbacks tied to his truck, adding to our ever-growing fleet. He couldn't wait to experience the high-country lakes for himself. We would be fishing Bobo Lake, another of Chama's high-country gems, rimmed by a grassy shoreline that slowly comment, "Well, I guess it's only right that you catch the first fish of the trip—again." Seeing the usefulness of this backward trolling technique, Philip quickly threw his kayak into reverse and was soon hooked into a rainbow of his own. By lunchtime he had out-fished us all, landing and releasing five more big fish. I was thrilled for my husband but determined to even the score. A pair of ospreys and a bald eagle circled the lake as we enjoyed our shore lunch and then headed back onto the water. Our new backward trolling strategy continued to work wonders, as everyone began catching fish. My first trout of the afternoon was a fat, healthy female. The second was slightly smaller but made up for it in attitude, shedding the barbless hook and flipping himself out of the net as soon as I landed him. While everyone else headed for shore as the sun began easing into the western sky, I decided to make one more circuit. The trout that struck was an absolute monster, the rod bending sharply toward the water as she turned and headed for the depths. The Hobie became an extension of my body, and once again I wondered how I Fly fishing from her Hobie Outback, the author hooked this high-jumping rainbow on a Wooly Bugger.