High and Muddy

This past weekend we went out to one of our favorite spots in Central Oregon. This time of year isn't exactly prime time as the water is high and dirty but I'll never not bring a rod to a river. The weather wasn't nearly as hot as it gets, but it was still pleasantly 65 and sunny (albeit windy at times).

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This area is really cool, it's super bike friendly (you can ride on all the hiking trails), so we always bring our bikes and cruise around. On Saturday our plan was to ride out a mile or so and then hike for another couple. Unfortunately my kiddo got a flat ride away so we had to improvise 🤷‍♂️.
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Naturally I brought a rod.
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I honestly wasn't expecting anything at all considering how fast it was moving. It was around 5k CFS and this river is best under 1k. On our hike, I staked out the biggest, slowest eddy I could find and sure enough second cast I hooked into a smallie, and then proceeded to land another 3 more in under 12 casts. All the while, my kid was BUZZIN'. She was so into it. I was casting off a bluff, so she jumped down to the waters edge and really wanted to land them for me (which she did).
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Yes, we did have a talk about trying to keep the fish out of the mud. But let's be honest, smallies are the coors light drinkin', cig smokin' cousins to to our prissy little trout. They can take it. Of course I'm kidding, don't roast me ;).

After, she was so hyped, she wanted to carry my rod the rest of the hike. She refused to let me hold it "We caught them together, Papa."
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Yes. The snakes are out! I almost stomped on one while I was out on a run. Scared the shit out of me, I need to remember to keep my eyes down while running in the desert.
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Awesome!

Short of stabbing a knife through the gills or leaving that fish on a rock for an hour, your little girl can’t hurt a SM😀. Those things are so tough!
 
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