Last week when I posted my first day on the water this year I realized I had not put up a post in almost two years, thanks to Papa’s, “he lives” comment. Seeing the Photobucket ad in place of my images in a couple of old posts inspired me to come out of hiding to catch up with some old friends and introduce myself to those newbies that have joined up recently. Some of you may remember I rescued a livestock guard dog, an Anatolian shepherd, several years ago and had been trying to incorporate him into my camping and fishing outings. We didn’t fish much last year thus no posts. We have tried to continue outdoor activities but fishing slid down the priority list.
Bear is great with packs on carrying all of his food and my alcoholic beverage supply.
Twenty years ago I inherited a 65 Chevy pick up that my dad had restored. For a number of reasons it had been sitting in an Idaho garage. Getting the truck to Colorado and getting it back into good running order became my highest priority. Dad set it up for hunting/camping so Bear and I have made sure to honor that intention.
Being a livestock guard dog Bear is a great camp companion, critters are not welcome in our camps. As a fishing companion we still have a long way to go although he has learned to spot fish. Rising on an alpine lake,
Or hiding under a rock in the stream,
However our stealth approach needs a little work,
Last fall I traveled to a couple of spots that many fly fishers put on their bucket list and I didn’t go to either to fish. Eclipse totality passed over some of Wyomings finest fishing waters, the eclipse was incredible but I should have brought my fishing gear. Celebrating a non fishing friends 50th we enjoyed the warm tropical waters of the Bahamas and lots of rum but never got out bone fishing. Seeing a few bone fish cruising the flats might have intrigued me enough to return other day just to fish. I did get a good picture of this pig feeding on the surface in crystal clear water!
The day on the water last week (without Bear) reminded me how beneficial fishing (and then lying to you knuckleheads about it) is for my mental health so I started planning a couple of trips for this year. Southern Wyoming and eastern Utah are close. My brother has kept Dad’s house in the Idaho panhandle so on the way most of Idaho is in play along with the panhandle and western Montana when I get to the house. I have been studying.
Bear will be a fantastic camping and hiking companion in griz country, we’ll have to keep working on the fishing. I promise to fish and post more this year.
Happy Fishin’
Dave
WTW & Bear