VIEW TO THE SSW
You've Fished This River
just not here
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.. The kids in the neighborhood walk farther than we do. They carry enormous packs. They ignore mosquitoes. They welcome rain and wet sleeping bags... They fish hard and long. They fish where few have fished. They keep a few to eat and relish the skin charred by an open fire. They tell the stories and we are jealous.
.. They don't carry cameras, (weight is important and a second canister of bear spray is more important.) They aren't interested in fish porn. They just like it "out there" and enjoy the adventure... They taunt us with the lure and lore of the backcountry.
They retell the tales of isolation and fish far larger than expected in gentle streams of pristine beauty and clarity. They even let us post this report because they know we can't get there. They suspect that you won't either. If you do, the stories will last a lifetime... Just what river is pictured above? Just how familiar is the name? If you fish Yellowstone you know it well - just not here. Of course it's the Firehole River. The meadow is lush, wet, and oozing life. The fish frequently are 13" long. They are ravenous and willing.
.. You think that 13" is not too big? You think that 13" is just a good fish, not a great fish? When was the last time you caught a 13" Brook Trout? Did it sparkle in the sun? We're jealous!.. Last week the fish were eating a wonderful assortment of artificial flies. Royal Wulff, Royal Coachman, Adams, Mosquito, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear, (of the wet variety,) Prince Nymph: nothing exotic was gobbled up. There were no secret or proprietary flies. There were no fancy presentations with the 5 or 6 piece pack rods.
.. The wind blew the flies to just the right place - almost all the time. All the hype and pseudo-sophistication of the fraternity was ignored - nay, not even known. Fishing and catching, to say the least, was as good as it gets... It's just about five miles from the nearest road to this sweet little meadow. The trail goes up and around it and day hikers leave it alone. If you've legs that can handle it - fish it. If you don't know where it is. Just ask the kids - they'll be back from another spot in a week.
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