Jack Karpawack here.
Well, as I suspected, there was no high speed internet available from my "YURT" on the Henry's Fork. So, I am back in the friendly confines of Southern Oregon ready to give you some recent fishing reports from the famed Henry's Fork of the Snake River...
...Pulled into Last Chance, Idaho on Monday afternoon.A hot and dry July 18th.
An extensive search of the "nine or so" existing businesses in Last Chance, left me in quite a quandry.Or was it a quagmire?? I'm not sure.
Anyway.
Which of the four fly fishing/ outfitter shops should I go into first for information, a license, and a lightening of my wallet. Actually, it was five choices if you count the general store==or six if you count the "Angler's Lodge- which also has a fly shop.Heck, who knows the restaurant and the remaining businesses may have carried fiahing gear also!!
At least my keen sense of business tells me that a fish or two must have been caught in this area.Either that, or the largest black market fly tying operation is run out of this "bump in the road" here in Idaho.
Like "Goldilocks" I look at one shop and decide it is too hot! (large) Another is too cold! (has the Orvis name and a yuppie feel to it) The other is juuust right! --O.K.-- I know that leaves a couple other shops, but stick with me here-- it's just a story cowboy!!
I wander in and it feels right--small and unassuming--nothing to intimidate me so far.
"Hi, can I help you."
Now that's a good start.
"Yes, I need to get a license, some info,and some flies."
"In exchange. you may have this wallet stuffed with twenty dollar bills."
"Fair enough." said the young employee.
"How's the river fishing?" I ask, waiting for the usual- 'we are knocking them dead' reply.
"Actually, kinda slow. A few fish in the early morning and some hatches coming off late in the evening."
"How about Henry's Lake?"
"Bigger fish-but about the same."
"O.K., well how about giving me about half a dozen patterns to try on the river, and a couple patterns for the lake."
He is more than happy to do this, and gets me set up with a couple different leeches for the lake, and some rubber legs and bead headed droppers for the river. I have plenty of different sizes of pale morning duns, caddis and callabaetis patterns, so I am pretty set for and drys in the evening. He tells me that the railroad ranch is fishing pretty good in the evening and that Box Canyon is the place I should try some nymphing in the morning. He even points out a spot on the map for me!
Now that's service.
I am feeling pretty good as I head for the door with minimal damage afflicted on my bank account, and more information than I expected to get--but then I spot the 40% off rack.
Seventy-five dollars later, I am back in my truck heading for my first rendevous with the famed Henry's Fork...
To be continued...
A.J. Klott
Author, writer of fishing humor,and "fly tack" peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005. If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at: http://www.twoguyswithflys.com
Preparation is the Key To Successful Night Fishing, You Better Have These...Night fishing requires quite a bit more preparation than daytime fishing does. Even if you "think" you know the waters pretty well, you need... Read More
The Garmin Fishfinder 250 is Garmin's latest addition to their family of marine chartplotters, handheld GPS, fish finders and GPS sounders and its already gaining a great reputation amongst the angling community.We met up with... Read More
The beginner must learn to look with eyes that see. Occurrences of apparently little importance at the moment may, after consideration, assume proportions of great value. The taking of an insect, for instance, may mean... Read More
Do you have a lucky hat?It was a beautiful warm day in the mid 70's. Typical of what we get in Colorado during September. I started out by checking the stream flows on the stream... Read More
The next few days in Ohio are supposed to be in the 50's, so, guess what I plan on doing if the lakes thaw out? Yep, go fishing for bass.As you know the bass are... Read More
Many anglers who are new to fly fishing consider dry fly fishing the "traditional" way of catching trout. Well, that's not entirely true. Wet fly fishing dates back hundreds of years, well before dry fly... Read More
The true Angler Fish lives in both shallow and deep water and there is regularly confusion over their identity as either Angler Fish or Monkfish. It is more a case that there is more than... Read More
Small stream nymphing is a very productive form of fly fishing. At times, you will not rise a fish to a dry fly. Yet there are fish feeding actively below the surface. So, you put... Read More
If you are like me, you love to fish at the drop of a hat. While I do plan fishing trips, I also like to go on a whim.Sometimes the urge strikes out of nowhere... Read More
Fly fishing has a history stretching back to the ancient Greeks, whose historians record people fishing for "spotted fishes" with fixed-line wooden poles. They used for bait wound with cloth and animal hair... Read More
When nymph fly fishing, the angler is imitating the juvenile stage of aquatic insects. As such, all fly fishing is done underwater, not on top of it. Thus, unlike when dry fly fishing, an angler... Read More
Brown trout fishing can prove very challenging. This is due in part to the fact that brown trout are smart fish. They tend to feed at dusk or at night. They do put up a... Read More
PondsAnywhere there is a pond; it could be a hidden hotspot for fish. The bottom line is, no matter how small the pond may be, it is only a matter of time until the fish... Read More
The overhead cast is the most basic fly cast. Learn to execute it well and you will be able to easily adapt the skill to the side cast and backhand casting.Good casting starts with learning... Read More
My first experience surf fishing was with my father on Wrightsville Beach, NC in the 60's. He parked our shiny black Ford Fairlane in a gravel parking lot off the beach and we hiked over... Read More
Just like dry fly fishing, there are many, many ways to fish a nymph. Which one you should use really boils down to how skilled you are in nymph fly fishing and what you are... Read More
Did you ever plan that fishing trip to the big lake, then when you got there you realized you had no idea where to start fishing? Too much ground to cover, right? Let's break it... Read More
Generally an oceanic species, the swordfish is primarily a midwater fish at depths of 650-1970 feet (200-600 m) and water temperatures of 64 to 71°F (18-22°C). Although mainly a warm-water species, the swordfish has the... Read More
Picture this; you've spent some time hiking into a small stream in the back country. It's early morning, mist is rising and the midges that have been swarming around you are breakfast for the small... Read More
If you take your children fishing with you, they can enjoy something for the rest of their lives, as long as you make it pleasant for them.If on the other hand, you yell, scream and... Read More
Stopped into The Fishin' Hole the other day, which happens to be one of my favorite fishing tackle/outfitter/sandwich shops. (Talk about your one stop shopping!!)I was looking for a good 8 weight line to take... Read More
Our oceans are home to many marine mammals, fish, turtles, corals and others. The delicate balance between man and the ocean is constantly being challenged by the demands of our society. Most of our planet... Read More
Method 2The second method that works really well for me is drift fishing. Lets start by explaining how drifting works. It's really pretty simple: you cast out bait and drag it behind or from the... Read More
Whether it's the peaceful and serene beauty of being on the ocean, the excitement of a Sailfish or Dolphin erupting from the water, the brute strength of a Tuna or the drag-searing run of a... Read More
As the owner/operator of a full service boat detailing-yacht maintenance business I can't help but chuckle sometimes at seeing the extremes that otherwise bright, intelligent, successful, people will go to in a misguided attempt to... Read More
With the excitement of my first trip to Alaska still fresh and percolating in my mind, I can hardly keep from telling fishing friends and aquaintances of my ensuing trip.As you would well expect, it... Read More
The use of light, either chemical or battery powered plays an important role in catching swordfish. There is no question that the use of artificial light increases the probability of catching a swordfish.Swordfish have giant... Read More
What lures are 4-13" long, been used regularly on the West Coast and have caught some of the biggest bass ever? Yep, Swimbaits.Now a change is happening, these lunker catching baits are being used on... Read More
I started fishing a little lake just south of Somerset, Ohio, called Clouse Lake about 35 years ago. Matter of fact, when I first started fishing it, I fished with a fly rod. One day,... Read More
Rainbow trout are a fresh water fish. They are aggressive fish in that they put up a great fight for the fisherman. Maybe because of this rainbow trout are one of the most popular types... Read More
These are busy times we live in.Running a full time business, having a five and a half year old daughter, and becoming the world's most prominent "fish bloggering idiot"--has certainly cut into my fishing time.... Read More
Night fishing is becoming more and more popular recently, and for good reason.Not only do you get cooler temperatures, less competition and congestion for the best areas, but there are also many more opportunities for... Read More
For those who are interested in speckled trout, you will be happy to know that these fish are some great catches. One of the most interesting features of this fish is the actual speckled trout... Read More
Competition between offshore and inshore anglers has skyrocketed within the last few years. As the competition increases, so does the need for fishing teams to differentiate themselves and stand out from other teams. To do... Read More
Class Is In Session.... Baitfish 101Okay.So you would think that in this information age we fishermen and fisherwomen would have all the knowledge of baitfishing at our fingertips.Evidently, some of us have been slow to... Read More
Fishing Fishing |