He reminded me of this with his post...
Takes me beck to my younger days... Not that I'm old. Reminds me of how important some of our parent's were in our "little hobby" as some who don't understand call it. Not being able to comprehend that this is a lifestyle.
I remember my Dad and I grabbing our camping gear, throwing it into an old Datsun hatchback" (yes I said Datsun) Picking up my friends andhitting the 395.... You remember, back when it was only 2 lanes. We used to love hitting the Owens... One time we almost got eaten by mosquitos! No joke.... they were so bad and the fishing was so good that we toughed it out and fished. Bobber and 3 fly style. Classic!
What I like about Toms post is that it reminds me of my 16th birthday. I remember it like it was yesterday. We were in Pleasant Valley campground back in the day when you could drive up at night on a Friday and still find a kick butt camp site. Those days are all gone and the hoards of weekend warriors with their once a year camping adventures have taken over and now most times you have to get to the campground a week prior to get a good spot or go online to "reserve" a spot a month in advance. Man I hate that they turned camping into motel 6.
But not to get sidetracked, on that weekend for my 16th birthday we went up with the families. My Dad and his friend went into town and bought me a fly rod reel line and waders....The waders were the classic neoprene ones of the Hodgman kind. I was so stoked.
My Dad's friend was an accomplished fly fisherman and tyer, so that weekend we fished the Owens within the campground area! Back then the average size brown was about 12-14 inches in that area.... Those days are so gone now. What a shame.... He gave me some flies and we went to work.... 10 and 2 10 and 2.... I still don't know the right time! But my fly miraculously ends up in the right spots almost all the time
Fish after fish that weekend!I was hooked on fly fishing and my life changed. As I got into fly fishing more and more I started getting into C&R and just having a good time instead of coming back to camp in the evening and cleaning fish for dinner. Although they taste * good in a campsite! (remember, it's Gods candy!)
Well fast forward 16 years and here I am with a new son and the dream that one day I will do what my Dad did for me and my brother and friends.
Thanks Dad
Your post brings back a lot of good memories man!
Artin
