Gone Fishin’
Sunday – 7/6
Jackson and I got up early (7:00) to give fly fishing a try.
We grabbed a quick breakfast at the hotel and drove out to Flat Creek. The area we are fishing is only accessible to guided tours. All of the waters have been running very high, so our hopes were not up for catching much, but we will learn how to fish from one of the best.
The outfitter we picked was Jack Dennis. In the brochure, they state that they are the outfitter to four of the past 6 presidents and many celebrities. When we met Jason Burris, our guide to pick out our flies and get suited up, you could see the excitement in his eyes. He called himself a “real fish head – with an F not a Ph”. One of the other guys in the shop mentioned that he lives to teach fly fishing.
I had packed Jackson’s Gameboy and a chair in case he got bored (based on Wendy’s recommendation). I’m hoping that 4 hours of casting will not lose his interest.
The spot we pulled into was about a half mile down a dirt road. There was a willow tree and a picnic table next to the stream at this point, and Jason was there setting up the poles.
He taught us how to set up the poles and talked about the different weight poles, fly line, the butt line (for running out fish), the leader and the tippet. He then showed me quickly how to tie an improved cinch and a perfection loop. We would spend more time on knots at the end. We also reviewed the flies we had picked and he pointed out some of the flies that were in the area and had just hatched.
We then tied on a bit of pinkie (a piece of pink yarn used for practice) and headed over to a clear area to learn to cast. He set up my two wader boots and a log, each about 20 feet apart for us to try to hit. Jackson was a natural and was putting the fly at the boot right from the start. I felt good too, but Jason had to keep putting his hand back to keep from doing a full cast. It is very different from spin casting as you can let the rod to the work, never having to pull the rod up past 12 o’clock.
Once he felt we were comfortable, and were able to move the fly from boot to boot to log, he had us move back until we were casting 30-40 feet.
Next, on to the stream. We started by looking at what was hatching in the area. Amazing the different number of insects that are in the water. We will start out dry fly fishing and move on to nymph fishing later. Jason also talked about how the stream flows and where to look for seams in the flow, cuts between deep water and shallow and how to work them with the fly.
We talked about starting downstream and working up so that you don’t disturb the fish. Jackson had all the answers when he would ask the questions about why and was very excited that he understood what was going on.
He told us to fish fast, moving from spot to spot if you do not see any activity or get any “takes”. We worked this side for a while and did see a few fish who were feeding, but no bites for us.
They did not have a set of waders small enough for Jackson. Wendy felt that this was a big part of the experience, but Jason said that the best way to fish is from the shore if possible. Again, it does not spook the fish. We found a shallow spot and crossed over to the other side. As we were walking along a trail, I spotted a large pile of scat with some bones intermixed. In with the bones was a very large incisor tooth. Jason told us it was a mountain lion tooth, great find.
We found a new spot and started casting. I got a hit but did not set the line quick enough. I kept working the spot, but no luck. Jackson was getting a lot of hits also, but was not getting the line set.
On to a new spot, and I catch my first trout. It is a Cutthroat, native to these waters. It is only about 5 inches, but Jason says that if I tell people back home at the fly fishing stores that I landed a Cutthroat on the Flat, they will be very impressed. This is a very difficult natural stream to fish and the Cutthroat is a very tough fish to catch. I’m not sure how much of this is to boost my ego.
At the next spot, I land another Cutthroat that is about 7-8 inches. We got a picture of this one. I forgot in the excitement of the first catch to take a picture.
Jason asks if I want to try some nymph fishing using an indicator. We tie on a new nymph fly and some weights and an indicator.
More working the stream and all of a sudden my rod bends full over. I had a lot of line out and had to work that back onto the reel while letting him run. This is also a lot more difficult than spin casting. Once the line was back in, I reset the drag and worked him for a while. Every time I thought he was coming in, he would turn and run. After about 5 minutes, we got him in close enough that Jason could get the net under him. He got really excited and started saying that he could not believe it. This was a trophy fish.
He pulled out a measuring tape and measured him at 15 inches. This is the biggest he has seen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_River_fine-spotted_cutthroat_trout
The picture I got does not seem to show the true size. I did not get a picture when we had his tape out, but Jackson and I both saw it. I had goose bumps after this catch. What fun.
Jackson is still getting hits, but not setting his line so Jason works with him for a bit, but we are running out of time. We decide to wade back over to the other side and work our way back to our starting spot.
On the way back I hook a whitefish, kind of a sucker variety. This will be our last catch of the day.
I talked to Jason about the history of Jack Dennis and some of the celebrities that have been there this season. He said Dick Cheney was there this spring. Harrison Ford has a ranch nearby and uses them regularly. Richard Prior was also there this spring.
All in all, a great experience and many kudos to our guide, Jason.
When we get back to the hotel, we decide to go to try out the alpine slides again.
When we get there, there is no line, so we purchase our tickets and head up the mountain on the 2 man lifts. Once at the top, you grab a sled, put it on the chute and wait your turn. I asked the person who was working the line how fast is safe. She said that you can go full out, if you lean into the turns. On this first run, I find myself pulling up as I head into the turns, but still get a LOT of speed.
For the second run, I decide I am going to go all out. The kid at the top working this time says he pushes the lever all the way down. Just make sure you are leaning into the turn or you can roll when coming out as your center of gravity is too high. I start screaming through the turns, but then something goes really wrong at the 5th or 6th turn. I was leaning into the turn, but must have leaned too soon or too far and the sled rocked up and over on top of me as I went under.
Imagine being on a water slide with no water heading full speed. T-shirt, and shorts and no helmet. When I came to a stop, it took me few seconds to figure out where I was. I had skidded about 50 yards down the chute on my elbow and knee. My ribs hurt and I could not move my ankle. OUCH.
I got the sled back under me and slowly went down the rest of the ride holding my ribs. Wendy and the kids were not sure if they should feel bad for me or laugh at my plight. Guess I should start acting my age.
As we were walking to the shop to see if they had any first aid there, I saw another guy about my age with the exact same scrapes. Turns out he took the same kid’s advice at the top. After cleaning up the scrapes as best I could, we headed to the car and decided to come back later to finish our rides.
Four days later, and my ribs are still sore. I still can’t roll over in bed and it hurts when I raise my arm over my head or try to lift something. The ankle is feeling better, but the scrapes are looking pretty nasty.
We headed back to the hotel, and I grabbed a beer and sat by the pool as the kids swam. I am going to need a lot of Advil tonight. We ordered from Mountain High Pizza Pie for a last time and hit the sack.
Jackson and I got up early (7:00) to give fly fishing a try.
We grabbed a quick breakfast at the hotel and drove out to Flat Creek. The area we are fishing is only accessible to guided tours. All of the waters have been running very high, so our hopes were not up for catching much, but we will learn how to fish from one of the best.
The outfitter we picked was Jack Dennis. In the brochure, they state that they are the outfitter to four of the past 6 presidents and many celebrities. When we met Jason Burris, our guide to pick out our flies and get suited up, you could see the excitement in his eyes. He called himself a “real fish head – with an F not a Ph”. One of the other guys in the shop mentioned that he lives to teach fly fishing.
I had packed Jackson’s Gameboy and a chair in case he got bored (based on Wendy’s recommendation). I’m hoping that 4 hours of casting will not lose his interest.
The spot we pulled into was about a half mile down a dirt road. There was a willow tree and a picnic table next to the stream at this point, and Jason was there setting up the poles.
He taught us how to set up the poles and talked about the different weight poles, fly line, the butt line (for running out fish), the leader and the tippet. He then showed me quickly how to tie an improved cinch and a perfection loop. We would spend more time on knots at the end. We also reviewed the flies we had picked and he pointed out some of the flies that were in the area and had just hatched.
We then tied on a bit of pinkie (a piece of pink yarn used for practice) and headed over to a clear area to learn to cast. He set up my two wader boots and a log, each about 20 feet apart for us to try to hit. Jackson was a natural and was putting the fly at the boot right from the start. I felt good too, but Jason had to keep putting his hand back to keep from doing a full cast. It is very different from spin casting as you can let the rod to the work, never having to pull the rod up past 12 o’clock.
Once he felt we were comfortable, and were able to move the fly from boot to boot to log, he had us move back until we were casting 30-40 feet.
Next, on to the stream. We started by looking at what was hatching in the area. Amazing the different number of insects that are in the water. We will start out dry fly fishing and move on to nymph fishing later. Jason also talked about how the stream flows and where to look for seams in the flow, cuts between deep water and shallow and how to work them with the fly.
We talked about starting downstream and working up so that you don’t disturb the fish. Jackson had all the answers when he would ask the questions about why and was very excited that he understood what was going on.
He told us to fish fast, moving from spot to spot if you do not see any activity or get any “takes”. We worked this side for a while and did see a few fish who were feeding, but no bites for us.
They did not have a set of waders small enough for Jackson. Wendy felt that this was a big part of the experience, but Jason said that the best way to fish is from the shore if possible. Again, it does not spook the fish. We found a shallow spot and crossed over to the other side. As we were walking along a trail, I spotted a large pile of scat with some bones intermixed. In with the bones was a very large incisor tooth. Jason told us it was a mountain lion tooth, great find.
We found a new spot and started casting. I got a hit but did not set the line quick enough. I kept working the spot, but no luck. Jackson was getting a lot of hits also, but was not getting the line set.
On to a new spot, and I catch my first trout. It is a Cutthroat, native to these waters. It is only about 5 inches, but Jason says that if I tell people back home at the fly fishing stores that I landed a Cutthroat on the Flat, they will be very impressed. This is a very difficult natural stream to fish and the Cutthroat is a very tough fish to catch. I’m not sure how much of this is to boost my ego.
At the next spot, I land another Cutthroat that is about 7-8 inches. We got a picture of this one. I forgot in the excitement of the first catch to take a picture.
Jason asks if I want to try some nymph fishing using an indicator. We tie on a new nymph fly and some weights and an indicator.
More working the stream and all of a sudden my rod bends full over. I had a lot of line out and had to work that back onto the reel while letting him run. This is also a lot more difficult than spin casting. Once the line was back in, I reset the drag and worked him for a while. Every time I thought he was coming in, he would turn and run. After about 5 minutes, we got him in close enough that Jason could get the net under him. He got really excited and started saying that he could not believe it. This was a trophy fish.
He pulled out a measuring tape and measured him at 15 inches. This is the biggest he has seen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_River_fine-spotted_cutthroat_trout
The picture I got does not seem to show the true size. I did not get a picture when we had his tape out, but Jackson and I both saw it. I had goose bumps after this catch. What fun.
Jackson is still getting hits, but not setting his line so Jason works with him for a bit, but we are running out of time. We decide to wade back over to the other side and work our way back to our starting spot.
On the way back I hook a whitefish, kind of a sucker variety. This will be our last catch of the day.
I talked to Jason about the history of Jack Dennis and some of the celebrities that have been there this season. He said Dick Cheney was there this spring. Harrison Ford has a ranch nearby and uses them regularly. Richard Prior was also there this spring.
All in all, a great experience and many kudos to our guide, Jason.
When we get back to the hotel, we decide to go to try out the alpine slides again.
When we get there, there is no line, so we purchase our tickets and head up the mountain on the 2 man lifts. Once at the top, you grab a sled, put it on the chute and wait your turn. I asked the person who was working the line how fast is safe. She said that you can go full out, if you lean into the turns. On this first run, I find myself pulling up as I head into the turns, but still get a LOT of speed.
For the second run, I decide I am going to go all out. The kid at the top working this time says he pushes the lever all the way down. Just make sure you are leaning into the turn or you can roll when coming out as your center of gravity is too high. I start screaming through the turns, but then something goes really wrong at the 5th or 6th turn. I was leaning into the turn, but must have leaned too soon or too far and the sled rocked up and over on top of me as I went under.
Imagine being on a water slide with no water heading full speed. T-shirt, and shorts and no helmet. When I came to a stop, it took me few seconds to figure out where I was. I had skidded about 50 yards down the chute on my elbow and knee. My ribs hurt and I could not move my ankle. OUCH.
I got the sled back under me and slowly went down the rest of the ride holding my ribs. Wendy and the kids were not sure if they should feel bad for me or laugh at my plight. Guess I should start acting my age.
As we were walking to the shop to see if they had any first aid there, I saw another guy about my age with the exact same scrapes. Turns out he took the same kid’s advice at the top. After cleaning up the scrapes as best I could, we headed to the car and decided to come back later to finish our rides.
Four days later, and my ribs are still sore. I still can’t roll over in bed and it hurts when I raise my arm over my head or try to lift something. The ankle is feeling better, but the scrapes are looking pretty nasty.
We headed back to the hotel, and I grabbed a beer and sat by the pool as the kids swam. I am going to need a lot of Advil tonight. We ordered from Mountain High Pizza Pie for a last time and hit the sack.