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.