But that's not really my style. If I'm close to water, I'll do what I can to get on it. It had been a couple weeks since I was on the Little Red. I figured if I got to bed around 9 pm, getting up at 2 am wouldn't be so bad.
That plan was sabotaged. At 9 there was a family of wild nieces and nephews bouncing on the place my head should have been. Apparently they were refugees escaping persecution from the land of never go to bed. I had to wait them out, I didn't want to be the mean uncle. Plus, I don't carry my "fun police" credentials on weekends.
The phone alarm rang out at 2 am and out the door I sprang. Forgetting my lunch and all my frozen water in the process...that's more my style. Of course, I remembered as soon as I closed the locked door. But I have a key, then realized, no your wife has the key.
I had an area I wanted to be at when the sun rose, which meant an early start was necessary. I fished a few likely holds on the way. The full moon was my ally and made navigating in the dark a breeze. I was all smiles until I high centered on the that 1 tree I didn't see in the middle of the river. It was a good, yet heart stopping, reminder of why I never stand up in my kayak at night and always wear my PFD...ALWAYS!
The fishing was great and the river was empty of other people (only saw 3 people). Several browns, dozens of bows, and a few trees were landed over the next few hours. Packed up and paddled back to the truck. It wasn't easy but I found the time and got some fishing in. AND...I made it to the party just as a planned...late but not noticeably late!
Wish I could find them stacked like that.
ReplyDeleteJust happy to be back on the river after all the high water we've had. Fall fishing should be fun!
DeleteFind your time...agreed.
ReplyDeleteThose are some beautiful trout.
Thx, those beautiful trout made it very hard to leave. It was a great morning filled with beauty all around.
DeleteGreat read!!! Loved the story, and all for finding the time, too. I find it awesome and ballsy to float by yourself at night, on a river....Whoa. I'd totally do it, but it wouldn't be the wildlife I'd fear around here.
ReplyDeleteThx man, I love being in the river at night. It's the only time I believe I have it all to myself. Oh, except for the dang beavers...they can screw up an area real fast.
DeleteI'm jealous. The colors on those browns from the LR are just amazing. On streamers?
ReplyDeleteThanks, that's correct, streamers and safety glasses!
DeleteDrew
ReplyDeleteThose are some really quality trout, did they take the nymph, or dry.? thanks for sharing
Thx Bill, Most everything was caught on various nymphs and streamers (before 7am).
DeleteBeautiful fish. Sometimes you just have to say, hell with it, I'm going.
ReplyDeleteThx Howard, I wish I only said those words, sometimes. I've gotten real good at the follow-up, "I'm sorry" or "my bad".
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