I went fishing!

Fishing took a backseat to riding bikes and running this summer. If you read my other blog (Danny Hathaway) you know I’ve been working on losing weight and getting healthy. Fishing just didn’t really fit this year. Run off lasted a long time and then an especially bad fire season kicked off early. 

But, I managed to get out today for the first time in ages. Thurston and I popped up the Rattlesnake, we originally planned Kootenai Creek but the weather didn’t look great down that way. 

The fishing wasn’t amazing but, I did snag a little cutthroat. I also learned a few other things. 

I need my Simms boots resoled. Several years of hard fishing in small creeks with a fair amount of hiking has worn them down to nothing and that makes for some exciting acrobatics while wading. 

I may need new waders sooner rather than later. Not because they are worn out. The Simms waders look almost brand new even after being in heavy use for several years now. They just don’t fit anymore! Turns out losing 60 lbs can be kind of expensive with all the clothing and gear you need to start replacing…

And lastly, I will never go without polarized glasses again. I broke my last pair a few years back and spent all of last year and this year with non-polarized glasses. Earlier in the year I found a pair of cheap specs at Costco and this was my first time using them on the water. Didn’t realize how much I’d missed polarization!

Hopefully, I’ll get out a time or two more before the year is over. Gotta get my moneys worth out of this years license. And I’m already thinking of how to get on the water a bit more next season.

If anyone out there is still checking this blog for updates, thanks for not giving up on it! 

Creek season opener

The tradition continues. Chad and I got out on the Rattlesnake for opening day. Hit our usual spots. I hooked a monster that spit the hook after coming to the surface a few times. Chad brought a nice one to the net out of the same hole. Then we ate McDonalds breakfast. It was a good day. 

Boat Trip

Got out in the boat last weekend with Chad and Duncan. Fish weren’t very active, Duncan fished dang hard and only managed a sucker. I fished much less hard, drank coffee and mostly just enjoyed being on the water with some buddies. 

After the float, Fenesa shuttled Chad back for the trailer while Dunc and I guarded the boat and had a few beers. Fun start to the ’17 fishing season. 

2016 Wrap up

Sporadic posts turned into non-existent posts towards the end of last year. Honestly, I didn’t really give it a second thought. That’s kinda the way most blogs go out, posts just stop showing up and one day the URL just directs to some 404 style page. Maybe that’s how this one will end up but, not just get. I didn’t fish much more after a Thurston and I got out with Evie, but I did sneak out some with Matt, Chad, out of town family, and on some solo adventures. Not going to try and summarize anything but, here’s some pics I liked from the trips.

I randomly ran into a few folks over the last few months of 2016 who let me know they actually read this thing. Just wanted to say thanks to anyone who does read the posts on here. Always nice to hear people get some sort of enjoyment out of this little project.

Happy New Year, everyone. Hope your 2017 is the best year yet. See ya on the water. 

Fishing with Thurston and Evie

Been ages since Thurston and I got out on Bass Creek so we decided to get together and hit the Rattlesnake. We hit a section we’re really familiar with but, that’s also seen some changes from runoff, downed trees, etc.

The fishing was pretty solid but, the best part was I brought Evie along in her backpack and she had a blast. Super fun to get out with Thurston as always and an added bonus that the little one was there and having fun too. 

Dawn Patrol with Chad

Up at 5, on the water before 7.   We got into tons of small fish. Browns, cuts, brookies and Chad even managed a rainbow. I spent time in the area as a kid but never fished the creek before, loved it. Will head back to explore other sections again for sure. 

https://youtu.be/ztJJrD24ONs

Quick outing

Shannon and the kiddo went out for coffee with Grandma Mimi and Aunt Kathleen today so I took the opportunity to do some fishing. Biked up and parked near Rattlesnake school then hiked up towards the PEAS farm. Fully expected to see lots of people out on the water and was not let down. Fishing was ok. A bit too hot I think. Still managed to fool a couple into bending the rod though. Fun couple hours on the spur of the moment. 

North Fork

A few years ago when Dustin was up for a visit, Chad convinced me to shirk my responsibilities for the day and go with the two of them to the North Fork of the Blackfoot. The fishing wasn’t great but, it remains one of the most fun fishing trips I’ve ever been on. 

Chad and I took off at 6 this morning to fish the same stretch. 

It’s true, Snapchat… I do love ice cream. Required fishing trip food, donettes. 

Americano and muffin top, breakfast of champions. 

The good thing about being on the water by 7 is you’re not likely to see any other people. The bad, when it’s chilly you’re lot likely to see any fish until the sun warms things up a bit. 

We fished for about an hour before I broke the ice with a solid cutthroat on a dry fly. 

Chad got into one as well. 

Not long after Chad hooked his first fish we decided to head back towards the car and hit the good looking holes that had some time to warm up in he sun. Spot the snake with a bulging belly in the above pic…

Chad got into two more fish and out of his restrictive sleeves on the way down. I fools another cutty then ate almost all the mini donuts on the drive back. Fun stretch of water and a great way to start the day. 

Bass Creek

It’s been ages since I fished Bass Creek. And it feels even longer since I got out with Thurston. Updated both of those today. 

Found ourselves plenty of willing cutthroats. Tons of folks out enjoying the holiday. 

It was a great way to start the day. Can’t wait to get out on this creek again and even more to get out and find some new spots with Thurston. 

Anybody still following this thing?

Thought I was done with this blog. Turns out I’m not. Tried something a bit different for this one. I’m not sure I like it but, I’ll keep poking at it until I figure out how I do want to keep this going. 

https://youtu.be/V2JPF0tLHp8