Day 2 and a trip down Memory Lane......

This day also started with the dripper and whipping cream in the coffee. However, there was a sense of adventure in the wind and I opted to do a little scouting. Remember there was only one pass left for the flies only stretch on day one ... Well day two was not available i.e. no float passes were available to purchase at the ranger station. So I decided to hit most if not all of the launches along the storied stretch of river between 37 and Gleason’s. This scouting trip started at 7:30 a.m. and lasted till 11:00 p.m. and I never saw a boat take out at Gleason’s because I was camped there. I did see one boat trailer at Green Cottage at around 7:30p.m.

My theory... and IT IS PURE SPECULATION ON MY PART but I think these large private holdings and or clubs are buying the passes on a monthly basis and only leaving those that have the lifetime pass or Canoe liveries able to float this prime piece of water... My theory is based on two separate trips within three weeks of each other. I did however notice that one must leave a name and a zip code.... so a FOIA request may reveal the total number of passes issued per name and zip code. Enough on the conspiracy theory...

Day two found me wade fishing the the upper stretch of the Green cottage access. This has been my favorite and thousands of others favorite wade in spot since I discovered the first Michigan Trout Streams Book (The one with the Blue cover). On this stretch I used a Hopper dry with a Green rock worm dropper and again hooked many smaller trout and Salmon and Steelies on the dropper. Near dusk I switched to to a rainbow streamer followed by a white BBT cone head zuggler (SP?) This was my attempt to go trophy hunting in the dark and spooky holes searching for the BFBT.

This was Walter’s favorite saying... to do it you put both hands in the air, and open and close your hands real fast and say "Big Phucking Brown Trout". I also switched from the 3 to a 7-weight Scott S3 four piece that I normally use for Snook when I visit the Drinking Island with a Fishing problem...

I originally came up to the man cave to get some time in at the vise for a Salmon trip with PK and Lulu, while searching for lost tying material I stumbled on a book of photos from my last season on Yellowstone the year of the Wolf, 1995. Forgive my nostalgia but the Park was my first real taste of fly porn for trout. I was stationed at Old Faithful and met Walter, Blue, Daniel and Ray these four people have had a huge impact on my fishing and I will never forget them! The shot of me on the trib of the "Hole" shows the predecessor of the STS 3-weight. It is a 7 foot, 4-weight Los penos From Arrick's Fishing Flies out of West. This rod is perfect for the park and most of the back country...
Stacey's intro
to the SBW of the back country

The Peebler The Yellowstone near RooseveltThere are some Bears there!... Trib of the "Hole" The Hole near Danny's Run
If Walter, Blue ,Daniel, or Ray ever see this site, thanks for teaching me!!!

My maiden voyage in the Porntoon that I borrowed form the Porn King. The trip was the best thing I have done in well over six years. This was my first solo trip for an extended time since my days in Yellowstone National Park.

(My only fish captured by self portrait)

This was the medicine I was looking for that would cure the worst caseof "Shack Nasties" I have had in many moons.

The day began with a fresh pot of river coffee from the dripper. This is a great way to make coffee without having to actually bring a pot so it saves a ton of weight and space.

Just go to the local grocery store and look in the coffee section for a plastic version of a Gold Filter with a handle, add a paper filter, boil water and pour over the fresh coffee. To make it true river coffee heavy whipping cream (sans sugar and the whipping) must be added. A fishing and camping staple taught to me by Walter, "One really strange dude" and semi-professional fly tier and the only real trout bum I have ever met. My fly fishing claim to fame is that I have a fly I tied on Walter's old Snap On fishing hat that hung in Bob Jacklin's shop in West.

Day one of three

The Porntoon was loaded up at the upstream limit of the flies only water at the M-37 bridge. During the course of a 10 hour float many small trout, pre-migrant steelies and salmon came to hand thanks to my 9' 3-weight STS. This is my my opinion is the best small (and not so small) fish rod ever made. Yes I am doing a a shameless plug for Scott Rod Company. Back to the trip.... I found my self seeing more wildlife on the river than ever before. Did I mention I had the last pass for the flies only water but only saw four or five other boats and none of them were fishing.... More on that subject later.....

So there I was back to my wood fairy roots high sticking with nymphs and streamers. I kept seeing a doe on the edge of the bank almost as if it were following me.

Later in the night this doe turned up just down from where I camped for the night. Made me think of Fall and the potential for a cast and blast trip, or Pickford Surf and Turf!

Gear used and tested on the trip was as follows: Costa Del Mar Triple Tail 580 polarization. All I can say is WOW!!!!!! they are like looking through a glass bottom boat without the weight and noise.

STS 9' 3-weight matched with the Abel Big Game 0 over sized with 4-weight Lee Wolf triangle taper WFF line.

North Face Day pack with corroded zippers from salt water use (may upgrade to bronze zippers) or wait another 15 years for this one to wear out...

Simms Camera dry bag for keys camera and lighters for the camp stove.

Abel pliers for snipping tippet or left over snags from previous salmon and steelhead seasons.

The Dripper...

And a $20.00 children's tent from a local hardware store custom fitted with a $5.00 tarp form the same hardware store.

A Drinking Island with a Fishing Problem....

Not too long ago I visited such an island a place that would leave a mark no soap or eraser could remove. A little drinking island with a fishing problem…. Located on the southwest coast of Florida lies said island. I caught my second saltwater fish after a fifteen year gap in the salt water arena in the near shore waters of this place. Fast forward another five years and one 12-weight tarpon rig later. The trip started at dawn near the inlet docks from there the Hell’s Bay skiff ran six miles south and skirted the lighthouse then to the west and the pilot light.
The first pod of tarpon I had ever seen in person reminded me of the Bison I had seen in Hayden Valley in Yellowstone. There may have been 200 or it may have been 20 swimming right towards me. The tarpon were making noises like a dolphin clearing its blowhole.
Remember I have never seen tarpon, never been on the bow of a flats skiff and had only practiced for a month with the new rig (also without the six-inch EP peanut butter and black). There I was going for greatness… a northern wood ferry going for the Silver King and a pinch of salt. To be continued…