Okanogan Cast And Blast

Last week Scott joined me at the ranch for some fall fishing and grouse hunting. Weather came and went and I believe the full moon messed with our success too. But we did manage to find some nice fish and a couple of grouse.

Let's start with Scott...with a nice fatty from a lake close to the house. There were few to be had but they were full of fight. These have been growing nicely all year long. I caught quite a few on previous visits.



As I said, the full moon was messing with us, but still awe inspiring.



This photo just says so much about the season on the east side.



When Scott headed home I headed to the woods.



Wheat harvest is in full swing in the highlands and many old structures dot the fields up there. What stories they could share...



After taking that grouse I headed to my favorite lake that holds brook trout. I found one sweet spot where larger fish were hanging around and brought several to the net.





The next morning I headed again into the woods to search for grouse. I found an old logging spur that was gated which told me the roads hunters hadn't touched it. At the very end of the road in I took my second bird. On another trail that was heavy with blow downs and tight cover several birds flushed with little more that a glance before they disappeared. But that's hunting...



All in all it was a good trip. Fishing, hunting, ales and onion rings at the tavern, steaks and a great merlot one night, Scott's great company, and a major chore done on the pole barn. The last rain to come through dumped snow on the east side of the Cascades as seen from the house. Winter is not far behind us...