My local river closed Friday cuz not enough brats have made it back to the hatchery and since I really, really, really wanted some river time, yesterday I decided to head south.
Evidently, I'd gotten out of the habit of going to this place because when making a journal entry at the end of the day, I realized it's been 3.5 years since I've been there. Crazy how time flies, but I guess with Covid, a health scare of my own, and all the tweekers, wolves, and Sasquatches to be wary of, I just didn't go. That and it's a nearly a 90 minute drive followed by an hour long slog through some thick woods of a previously logged area, so there's plenty of time to ruminate on whether or not it's worth it.
Anyhow, I threw caution to the wind, pulled anything of value from the cab of my trusty steed, grabbed the dog (who was having a good day), busted out my inner mountain man and hit the road.
It's a good thing this urban mountain man has the benefit of Gaia GPS and an inReach Mini cuz I find it friggin' scary as to how easy it is for me to get turned around and lost in this stuff...
There's a river back there....somewhere....I swear.
After stopping repeatedly to verify headings, a few more times to peel layers so I didn't over heat, the pup and I finally made it. And it was everything I'd hoped for.
Now ya either know this spot or ya don't but please don't name it....
Anyway, I had the place to myself except for one rafter who appeared to be on a scouting trip....aside from that, it was just me and the pup. The solitude, however, was somewhat lacking because the upriver militia spent 4 hours working through a small fortune in ammunition and what I'm pretty certain was some tannerite....but after a while it became white noise....that is until someone busted out another package of tannerite
It rained and drizzled throughout the day, soaking the pup, but the fishing was a a treat. Nothing crazy and I ended up with these three over my three hours on the water
They seemed so healthy and strong. It was a good reminder of what a healthy river system is and what I wish my local river was.
Another good feeling after the sweaty bushwhacking back to the truck was finding it just where I parked it AND with all the windows intact.
The final treat, however, was this view on the way home....
So while ruminating on the drive home as to whether or not the 3 hour drive time and the two hours of nasty off trail bushwhacking was worth it to fish for only 3 hours....
I was still Glad I did it.
Mike d
Evidently, I'd gotten out of the habit of going to this place because when making a journal entry at the end of the day, I realized it's been 3.5 years since I've been there. Crazy how time flies, but I guess with Covid, a health scare of my own, and all the tweekers, wolves, and Sasquatches to be wary of, I just didn't go. That and it's a nearly a 90 minute drive followed by an hour long slog through some thick woods of a previously logged area, so there's plenty of time to ruminate on whether or not it's worth it.
Anyhow, I threw caution to the wind, pulled anything of value from the cab of my trusty steed, grabbed the dog (who was having a good day), busted out my inner mountain man and hit the road.
It's a good thing this urban mountain man has the benefit of Gaia GPS and an inReach Mini cuz I find it friggin' scary as to how easy it is for me to get turned around and lost in this stuff...
There's a river back there....somewhere....I swear.
After stopping repeatedly to verify headings, a few more times to peel layers so I didn't over heat, the pup and I finally made it. And it was everything I'd hoped for.
Now ya either know this spot or ya don't but please don't name it....
Anyway, I had the place to myself except for one rafter who appeared to be on a scouting trip....aside from that, it was just me and the pup. The solitude, however, was somewhat lacking because the upriver militia spent 4 hours working through a small fortune in ammunition and what I'm pretty certain was some tannerite....but after a while it became white noise....that is until someone busted out another package of tannerite
It rained and drizzled throughout the day, soaking the pup, but the fishing was a a treat. Nothing crazy and I ended up with these three over my three hours on the water
They seemed so healthy and strong. It was a good reminder of what a healthy river system is and what I wish my local river was.
Another good feeling after the sweaty bushwhacking back to the truck was finding it just where I parked it AND with all the windows intact.
The final treat, however, was this view on the way home....
So while ruminating on the drive home as to whether or not the 3 hour drive time and the two hours of nasty off trail bushwhacking was worth it to fish for only 3 hours....
I was still Glad I did it.
Mike d
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