Friday morning I flew up to Reno to fish a friend's ranch with some of my long time fishing buddies. Saturday we were on the creek a bit late, due to a late night at the Silver Legacy, and the scotch they gave us while we played. There were not many feeding fish, and I seemed to wake all the good ones as I peered from behind the willows looking for fish. I managed to land 7, broke off 3, and missed a bunch. Later in the afternoon I was on a cut bank and wanted to step down a couple feet to the rock and sand edge of the creek. My old Patagonia sticky soles allowed me to pivot, so I tried it with the new ones. No way, No how. Before I knew it I was launched backwards, flying through the air, and hit the ground hard enough to knock the wind out of myself. Yikes!! After a short rest I went back to fishing, but my back's been pretty sore ever since. I have to say those Patagonia boots are the best I have used as far as traction goes. Sunday was tough, but about 4 pm it warmed up, the wind dropped, and the calibaetis started coming off. I watched a big fish swim right by me, then work his way up, slurping the duns off the water. I climbed into the chest deep section, completely bordered by willows and trees and spent 10 minutes getting into position. After a few casts, the wind blew my fly tight to the willows, where he came up and inspected the fly, and slowly sank back out of sight. The next cast I hooked a willow on the backcast, lost my tippet and fly, and called it a day. Here is the fish I saw.
Of course as I sat drinking a stella in my camping chair, watching that stretch of creek, the big fish started to feed, but by then my back stiffened to the point I just watched. It was quite a day. Here are a few more of the fish.
We had a great time, but sunday I had to fly home since I had class on monday. Just like always I headed to my favorite video poker machine at the Southwest terminal in Reno, put in a 20, played 3 hands and hit this. I cashed out and read a book until it was time to board. Not a bad way to end the weekend!
