This past weekend we were able to get our kid one last backpacking trip in before the weather starts to change (my wife and I will still backpack independently, but the 4 year old is a fair weather fan). This is one of our favorite, easy spots that the kiddo can hike in, while still feel remote and more importantly, there's no garbage or toilet paper. It's only about 1.5 miles down in a canyon with 600 vertical feet so its easy on those tiny legs. Naturally, there's a fishable creek that happens to be a trib of a well known river.
This is a creek that while I've fished a handful of times, I've never really got to truly explore much more than the ~500 yards of camp water since I'm always with my family. It's a really small stream, even close to the confluence (rarely larger than 15-20 feet across and often closer to 10 feet. I've personally caught fish up to 14" which in this water is a blast. Someday, I'll get here sans kid (or at least more grown up kid) so I explore more--but in the meantime I love what I can get.
On Saturday (during the day), the weather was great, the stream was in good condition and fish were eating. I had my (new to me) Livingston Rod Co 885 and instantly fell in love. It has the power to cast but still made 8" fish fun. Granted, this is a creek that I essentially dont need to cast on, I found some stretches where I could just let it loose down (or upstream) to see would it could do. Paired with a 406 DT it could cast incredibly delicately, accurately, but ALSO cast a decent sized hopper dropper rig. It was also super light in hand. I'm fucking sold. I already found an even better of a deal on the 7wt version for smallies. My kid, naturally had her Echo Gecko
Unfortunately as the afternoon wore on, a decent sized storm cell rolled in and we were surrounded by some pretty good thunder and rain. We took refuge in our tent where we drew and painted with water colors (we've gotten trapped in the rain a handful of times with the kid and always come prepared with art supplies for the tent).
The next day was pleasant, we continued to fish where I got the hog of the trip--a 12" rainbow on a hopper. Hiked out, and proceeded to get soft serve at the Sno Cap.
@Stonedfish To answer your question: while I don't get as many "hours" fishing, god damn I love the summer time. It's the time I'm outside, fishing, camping AND spending time with my family. Sure, I get more alone time to fish harder during the Spring, Fall and Winter, but it's different and doesn't fill my cup up the same way.
This is a creek that while I've fished a handful of times, I've never really got to truly explore much more than the ~500 yards of camp water since I'm always with my family. It's a really small stream, even close to the confluence (rarely larger than 15-20 feet across and often closer to 10 feet. I've personally caught fish up to 14" which in this water is a blast. Someday, I'll get here sans kid (or at least more grown up kid) so I explore more--but in the meantime I love what I can get.
On Saturday (during the day), the weather was great, the stream was in good condition and fish were eating. I had my (new to me) Livingston Rod Co 885 and instantly fell in love. It has the power to cast but still made 8" fish fun. Granted, this is a creek that I essentially dont need to cast on, I found some stretches where I could just let it loose down (or upstream) to see would it could do. Paired with a 406 DT it could cast incredibly delicately, accurately, but ALSO cast a decent sized hopper dropper rig. It was also super light in hand. I'm fucking sold. I already found an even better of a deal on the 7wt version for smallies. My kid, naturally had her Echo Gecko
Unfortunately as the afternoon wore on, a decent sized storm cell rolled in and we were surrounded by some pretty good thunder and rain. We took refuge in our tent where we drew and painted with water colors (we've gotten trapped in the rain a handful of times with the kid and always come prepared with art supplies for the tent).
The next day was pleasant, we continued to fish where I got the hog of the trip--a 12" rainbow on a hopper. Hiked out, and proceeded to get soft serve at the Sno Cap.
@Stonedfish To answer your question: while I don't get as many "hours" fishing, god damn I love the summer time. It's the time I'm outside, fishing, camping AND spending time with my family. Sure, I get more alone time to fish harder during the Spring, Fall and Winter, but it's different and doesn't fill my cup up the same way.
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