Turquoise Lake

In southern Colorado, 
that old Rocky Mountain state, 
beneath God's azure heavens 
is a place called Turquoise Lake.

I'd been driving all around, 
it was time to take some lunch. 
The lake looked right for fishing, 
at least that was my hunch.

After chow I got my gear 
and headed for the shore. 
I tied on a jitterbug, 
who could ask for anything more.

Weedy cover on the left 
set off a loud alarm,  
but I was casting to the right 
just to limber up my arm.

From behind an old man came, 
he'd been watching for a while, 
"Surface lures won't work out here," 
he mumbled with a smile.

"You know this is a trout lake, 
they won't hit on surface lures, 
so get yourself a fly rod 
and you'll catch some fish for sure."

Now just as luck would have it 
you know where the next cast goes, 
it's just off of the weed bed, 
how that water did explode.

A Rainbow Trout grabbed my lure 
and started on a run. 
I was fishing ultra-light, 
it was really lots of fun.

The oldster stood in wonder, 
said he never would have thought 
that on a rig like I had 
a Rainbow could be caught.

Reluctantly the trout gave up, 
he came in without delay. 
I gave him slack and he was gone 
to fight another day.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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West Avatar
July 24, 2023 at 11:15 PM
Hi John, thank you for your comments on my Fly Fishing poem and thank you for sharing Turquoise Lake with me, excellent but it does make me a little jealous, in the UK most fisheries are in man made lakes,(the rivers are just to expensive) so to read about the Rocky Mountain state I can only wish. Mark
Summers Avatar
July 25, 2023 at 9:17 AM
I’m sure you’d love fly fishing in Colorado. Thanks for reading. John
Carl Avatar
April 4, 2023 at 4:32 PM
John - I finally got around to reading this, and yes, I liked it very much. Nice flow and nice rhyming too.
Summers Avatar
April 7, 2023 at 7:17 AM
Hello Wolfgang, thanks so much for stopping by. John
Binner Avatar
February 11, 2023 at 2:46 PM
i really enjoyed reading this, and am impressed by your talent for writing poetry. I look forward to reading more of your poems as I have time.
Summers Avatar
February 12, 2023 at 6:54 AM
My goodness but you’ve been busy. Thanks again for reading my poems. John
Pettit Avatar
April 3, 2021 at 9:00 PM
Nice poem about the one that got away. Nice descriptiveness and rhyming along the way.
Summers Avatar
April 3, 2021 at 10:52 PM
Thanks Robert, it was a fun trip. John
Lamoureux Avatar
March 27, 2021 at 8:25 AM
I live in Kelowna BC on Lake Okanagan. The lake goes from Vernon to Penticton. So if you love lakes and fishing it’s a great destination. We also have Lake Kalamalka which according to National Geographic is one of the 10 most beautiful lakes in the world. The name means Lake of many colours.
Summers Avatar
March 27, 2021 at 10:17 PM
I checked the lakes out on Google. Awesome! Hey, you even have a sea monster. I’m jealous, all we have in Holston Lake are fish. John
Debole Avatar
March 23, 2021 at 4:57 PM
Hi John, Enjoyed your story of a day that was fun for you! Poetically well-said. Easy to follow and could not stop reading until I got to the end. - Gail
Summers Avatar
March 24, 2021 at 5:54 PM
Thanks a lot Gail. Glad you enjoyed the poem. It was a great day. John
Lamoureux Avatar
March 7, 2021 at 8:00 AM
This makes me want to get out on the lake. ;0)
Summers Avatar
March 8, 2021 at 2:23 PM
This place in Colorado is beautiful. I’ve never fished in Canada but I hear you have some of the best lakes in the world. John
Wolf Avatar
March 2, 2021 at 5:39 PM
Good tale. Nice story here, John. Thanks for posting it. Pure enjoyment. :) gw
Summers Avatar
March 24, 2021 at 5:57 PM
Hi Gershon, didn’t mean to be so slow responding to your message. I always appreciate your reading and input. John
Roper Avatar
February 28, 2021 at 11:35 PM
Great catch , but a loss at the end. I don't fish , but like the story. Thank you for your visit on my poem, “ Harbinger Birds of Spring” and leaving a congratulations. Hugs Eve
Summers Avatar
March 1, 2021 at 2:11 PM
Thanks Eve, glad you liked it. Have a good one. John
Messina Avatar
February 28, 2021 at 5:04 AM
Check out my Poem "The Big Old Rainbow Trout" Thanks!
Summers Avatar
February 28, 2021 at 4:42 PM
I’ll be happy to read it. Thanks for the tip. John
Messina Avatar
February 28, 2021 at 4:50 AM
John, I love this. Especially because I am a master out trout fishing. I probably catch over 400 trout a year here in NJ where I live. I always wanted to go out to Co. to fish and I'm sure one day I will. Great poem my friend. I also wrote a poem "Rainbow Trout" Charlie
Summers Avatar
February 28, 2021 at 4:41 PM
Thanks for reading and commenting Charlie. I’m sure you’d like Colorado, I also fished Arizona and New Mexico where I lived for some time. That whole area is ripe for trout fishing and about anything else you might want to fish for. John
Edmonds  Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 6:06 PM
A delightful read, can picture the beautiful scenery and enjoyed the fisherman’s tale J... Belle
Summers Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 8:28 PM
Hi Belle, glad you liked it. have a good one. John
Calasibetta Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 11:53 AM
What a fun read. Was right there with you. Take Care, Paulette
Summers Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 4:16 PM
Paulette, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on the poem. It is appreciated. John
Mcintosh Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 3:53 AM
Oh... so awesome and amazing... Enchanting write. I love it. God bless you with many more. Love, Gina
Summers Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 11:05 AM
Thanks so much Regina, glad you liked it. John
Ball Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 10:51 AM
Sounds like a great day for you. Lunch by a lovely lake and a little bit of fishing that didn't turn out too bad. A great little story here.Loved it. God Bless, JB
Summers Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 12:32 PM
Thanks Judy, glad you liked it. John
De Beaulieu Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Hello John Summers, the lake sounds lovey. Oh- too bad the fish got away. Better luck next time. Enjoy your weekend my friend.
De Beaulieu Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 12:13 PM
Hello John, It does sound lovely. Yes it would be even more beautiful in the Fall. Your welcome . Enjoy your weekend my friend.
Summers Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Hi Darlene, you should see it in the fall when the Aspen trees change from green to gold. Thanks for reading. John
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