Back in the Groove
What a crazy train I’ve been on the last month! I’m jacked
up to have my life be “normal” once again. By normal, I mean that my work focus
is once again back at home and the life aquatic across SW Montana. Salmonflies are
out on the upper and the Gallatin; the Yellowstone is not too far away either.
There is nothing like a vacation followed by a vacation to
make the world right again.
make the world right again.
I spent the previous couple of days hiding from the masses
of the upper and hoards on the lower, while shirking some responsibilities with
a couple of friends. Per usual, the destination was difficult to find with
potentially perilous logistics. The fishing was good, the adventure was smooth
for a change, and the batteries are recharged.
of the upper and hoards on the lower, while shirking some responsibilities with
a couple of friends. Per usual, the destination was difficult to find with
potentially perilous logistics. The fishing was good, the adventure was smooth
for a change, and the batteries are recharged.
There is just something good for the soul that happens after
spending a night or two under the stars followed by days of new water. When the
fish join us too, it’s hard to imagine a better way to burn through two more
days in life.
spending a night or two under the stars followed by days of new water. When the
fish join us too, it’s hard to imagine a better way to burn through two more
days in life.
Day one took us to an old favorite of mine that is difficult
to find on a map and even harder to navigate from a raft. The sense of awe from
the surroundings and solitude on the water was worth the trip in itself for us,
but there were some fish too and they were honestly just the gravy for this
trip.
to find on a map and even harder to navigate from a raft. The sense of awe from
the surroundings and solitude on the water was worth the trip in itself for us,
but there were some fish too and they were honestly just the gravy for this
trip.
Biggest surprise for me was how cold it gets in the mountains
at night this time of year. Chilly. That, along with the experience of watching
deep chase down out piss spots for some fresh licking were two aspects of the
trip that made them a little different than most.
at night this time of year. Chilly. That, along with the experience of watching
deep chase down out piss spots for some fresh licking were two aspects of the
trip that made them a little different than most.
Day two was new water for us, a long float, lots of
mosquitos, some good fish, beautiful weather, slow streamer grab. Still an
adventure, but one that found myself exhausted around 3pm. No big issues on the
day, solitude, some fish, and good friends on a quiet river in Montana…what
could be better?
mosquitos, some good fish, beautiful weather, slow streamer grab. Still an
adventure, but one that found myself exhausted around 3pm. No big issues on the
day, solitude, some fish, and good friends on a quiet river in Montana…what
could be better?
