Well, problems arose and I wasn't able to make a trip to Oregon to drift along in Bestlever's boat, trying for steelhead. Did manage to salvage a couple of days and took the lads up to the Methow Valley, up north here in Washington. Beautiful country with the North Cascades Highway, and the Methow River both running right through the valley. Too darned many people here this time due to some sort of Blues Festival, but I found out those music lovers weren't fishing anyway, so we got along fine.
High temps sorta hampered the appetites of the cutts and rainbow, but a few grabbed onto various wet and dry flies, including a few of significant size. That was fun! All fishing was catch and release, which I don't mind at all since those regs have resulted in climbing trout populations in the river, and more important (to me) more large fish as well. If you go, stop in at the Carlton General Store and talk to Bill. He's been fly-fishing the Methow for 20+ years and is on a first name basis with all the big trout. He also ties and sells a particularly productive wet fly called the "Carlton General." It works on steelhead and big cutthroat.
Counted 8 deer one day, wasn't really looking for them. All mulies. One 3x3 buck, two doe, two pair of spotted twins and a single fawn tagging along. Deer don't seem to spook much when they see a fellow on a mountain bike. Must file that one away for future reference...
Also saw a golden eagle, and a couple of osprey working the river. Normally I see bald eagles in the fall and winter here. Not yet, they're still farther up north. They tend to show up about the same time as the salmon and steelhead.
Mountain bikes provided great transportation once the family bivouac was set up. The kids (14 and 18 years old) still think I'm crazy and refuse to do some of the rides I enjoy most. At least with me leading the way. I've developed a bad reputation for having fun at the expense of skin and bones... Outstanding recreational trail system in the Methow Valley, maintained for horses, mountain bikes, hikers, joggers and in the winter the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing.
Yup, this is a Marlin forum and I have to admit that my Marlin didn't even make the trip this time. Didn't fire a shot either, but it was a great, although short, trip into the hills with my sons. We ate, swam, fished and goofed off for a couple of days w/o cell phones, radios, televisions or anything else. It was real nice. The younger one wants to come back during deer season, he's developed a bit of an attitude about gleefully filling the freezer... Gotta respect that in a youngster.
Regards, Guy
High temps sorta hampered the appetites of the cutts and rainbow, but a few grabbed onto various wet and dry flies, including a few of significant size. That was fun! All fishing was catch and release, which I don't mind at all since those regs have resulted in climbing trout populations in the river, and more important (to me) more large fish as well. If you go, stop in at the Carlton General Store and talk to Bill. He's been fly-fishing the Methow for 20+ years and is on a first name basis with all the big trout. He also ties and sells a particularly productive wet fly called the "Carlton General." It works on steelhead and big cutthroat.
Counted 8 deer one day, wasn't really looking for them. All mulies. One 3x3 buck, two doe, two pair of spotted twins and a single fawn tagging along. Deer don't seem to spook much when they see a fellow on a mountain bike. Must file that one away for future reference...
Also saw a golden eagle, and a couple of osprey working the river. Normally I see bald eagles in the fall and winter here. Not yet, they're still farther up north. They tend to show up about the same time as the salmon and steelhead.
Mountain bikes provided great transportation once the family bivouac was set up. The kids (14 and 18 years old) still think I'm crazy and refuse to do some of the rides I enjoy most. At least with me leading the way. I've developed a bad reputation for having fun at the expense of skin and bones... Outstanding recreational trail system in the Methow Valley, maintained for horses, mountain bikes, hikers, joggers and in the winter the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing.
Yup, this is a Marlin forum and I have to admit that my Marlin didn't even make the trip this time. Didn't fire a shot either, but it was a great, although short, trip into the hills with my sons. We ate, swam, fished and goofed off for a couple of days w/o cell phones, radios, televisions or anything else. It was real nice. The younger one wants to come back during deer season, he's developed a bit of an attitude about gleefully filling the freezer... Gotta respect that in a youngster.
Regards, Guy