Caught

A breeze came rippling up the river as I cast my line out over the water. The fishing had been poor and the water was really low. A few gusts had rolled through during my short time on the water, but I didn't pay it much mind. I watched as my flies drifted past and gave them a mighty heave ripping them from the surface of the water. I went back letting a little line slip through my fingers before pulling it forward again. As my line reached full backward extension a large gust of wind hit. My arm was already rhythmically thrusting forward at full speed.

The extended line blew up river with the wind and piled into the back of my head with great force. For some reason it felt as if someone had punched me in the head. I had put two flies on my line before entering the river. One to fish the surface and one to drag beneath. I looked down after the impact to see the top fly hanging from what i thought was my glasses. Upon removing my glasses I realized I had snagged something else. I put my hand to my face and came away with little bits of blood on my fingers. I laughed out loud to myself as I cut the line and made my way back to my car to call Neena. It took some figuring out but I eventually removed the fly from my nose. In the future I will probably think twice before fishing in gusting wind.

Caddis Hatch

With the light all but gone I continue to throw my caddis imitating fly at the continually surfacing fish. I squint to see it before it is taken by a hungry brown trout. We fight for a moment before I pull him from his aquatic home. It is sad that we have to meet this way, but I admire him. He has outsmarted me many a time and it just so happened that this time I tricked him. I knew what he was hungry for. I carefully remove the hook from his mouth and hold him underwater letting him catch his breath. After a moment of rest he swims away.

This might be my favorite time of year to fish. There isn't anything like throwing a dry fly out on the water and watching a fish splash out of the water with an open mouth to take it. As darkness draws near, at this time of year, there is an amazing bug hatch nearly every night. The Caddisfly spends much of its life underwater. The cooling temperatures of the day usually trigger emergence where they break free of their underwater case and swim to the surface for their short 1-2 week adulthood. The last few time I have been out have been some of the best hatches I have been encountered. There are points in the evening where I am covered in caddis. They land on my glasses, tickle my ears, and get uncomfortably close to my closed mouth. Fishing while covered in bugs... I never thought I would enjoy it so much.

Sixth Water

One of the things I have enjoyed most about getting into Fly Fishing is the places it has taken me. Last week we headed up to Sixth Water. A portion of skinny water up at the top of Diamond Fork Canyon. Had I not picked up fishing, I don't know what else would have taken me up that way. I reeled in my first Cut Throat. It was a beautiful little fish, emphasis on little, that I didn't take the time to snap a photo of. If you don't fish and are in need of a nice drive add Diamond Fork to your list. 

Family Fish

Over the past year my Dad has been acquiring his fly fishing gear one piece at a time. Saturday my older brother Jeff and I were able to get him out on the water for his first time. After my outing last weekend I had high hopes for some big fish. As the day wore on it became clear that not much was happening. One fish came to the surface early on in the day, but that was it. 

We hit the lower Provo River for a few hours and decided to grab lunch. It was fun spending time with my Dad and brother. The last time we went fishing together was twenty some odd years ago on a family camping trip to Payson Lakes. So many things have changed since then, but spending time outside with family still feels the same. 

We spend a couple hours on the middle Provo after lunch. After fighting the crowds for a little bit, we decided to head home and try a different spot on the lower. I finally hooked into a big guy but he popped off before I could land him. Even though we got skunked it was just good to be out together. I am really looking forward to doing more of this.

This is probably the last time we went fishing together.

Double Day

My hopes for a big line Saturday were trumped by weather and a snowpack that made me feel apprehensive. I called Josh Snow to see if he was down to squeeze a short tour in. He had been trapped inside all week studying for finals and was more than happy to escape. 

As we started our tour the familiar thumps of artillery making the resorts safe reminded us that we needed to keep on our toes. There was significant wind loading and we were able to pop out small pockets along the ridge. We decided to just goof off on a small cliff, something I haven't really done all season, and not to go after any bigger lines. After we had our fill we hiked up for one more little run and headed home.

As soon as I got home I switched into fishing mode and headed out the door. We hit the lower Provo River on one of its prettiest stretches. The fish were really active and before too long I hooked into one of the biggest fish I have landed. Steve nabbed another two big ones and Josh brought in a bunch of little guys. It was a beautiful day to be out and it is always fun to squeeze in two hobbies. I love Utah in the Spring. 

Brothers

The Fall River, Idaho

I was invited to spend the weekend with the Andersen's in one of their favorite locations, "The Point" on the Fall River in Idaho. We all piled in the van and made the drive up stopping at the traditional spots, Smith and Edwards and Maddox Restaurant. It was fun being a part of these family traditions. While at Smith and Edwards Neena's Dad, Steve, bought me some fly's to use up on the river. This would be my first time fly fishing and I was really grateful to have someone show me the ropes.

We spent the next few days in and out of the river. I spent as much time as I could fishing, once I caught my first fish I was pretty hooked. We went in to Driggs, ID for an afternoon and had a great lunch one of the days. One of the more amazing parts of the trip was to sit out under the stars, I got a little camera happy and spent a long time trying for long exposures. It was a fun trip that I wouldn't mind doing more often... I need some fly fishing gear now though.

Learning to fish.

 My first fish on a fly.

 She is great.

 Idaho night.

 Hanging out making smores