[Runejl]

Nursing School sucks. I’m not in Nursing School, but it still sucks. Papers to write, books to read, Test’s to take, and worst of all Seattle. I don’t live in Seattle, but it sucks to, especially Capital Hill. My Weekend is here, Fishing is good, I’m ready to go, Jonesing to go, but instead I am spending an hour and half driving south and 30 additional minutes trying to find parking on Capitol Hill. Seattle University’s Nursing program has eaten up two years of fishing opportunities because the weekend was the only time to hang out with the Girlfriend (who is in the program).

Graduation is next weekend, and I will spend the rest of it moving Tessa into my house in Bellingham. Hopefully living together will free up my weekends. When you spend all week together it should be easier to get away on the weekends, Right? Maybe I’m dreaming. I know I’m not the only guy out there that has to split time between which type of tail he is chasing.

Last weekend I left the Hill while the Girlfriend studied for Finals. Two close friends and I went south to a river that is spoke of here often. 30 minutes out of Seattle and I was dipping my feet in a small river/large creek. It was my first time there and though I didn’t see any Cedar Tree’s I was surprised by how green my surroundings were for being so close to metropolis.

I had heard of cars being broken into and confrontation on this river before, so I wasn’t surprised when I was attacked as I entered the stream. My adversary, however, was not a poacher or a tweaker; it was a small wild tweety bird that was content to perch on my shoulder and rod. Very random, he/she hung out with us for about a ¼ mile of fishing before flapping farewell.

The river was cold and clear, there was plenty of structure, and I was immediately drawn to a chute that cut under a root wad and was bordered by a downed tree. 4 cast’s and my Pat’s Stone was grabbed by a fat, richly red stripped, 15 to 18 inch rainbow. The fished made a number of high leaps and bucking runs before I brought leader to hand and he slipped the barbless fly from his own mouth. Over the next couple hours we caught a number of fish, most in the ten inch range. My friend encountered a larger one that quickly spit the hook. The last run we fished looked really nice, but yielded nothing until I tied on a 4 inch long sculpin pattern, my buddies scoffed at it but I told them to “watch this,” and had my cockiness rewarded with a feisty Cutthroat. Another cast across, downstream mend, bellied swing and my sculpin was again crushed from what appeared to be a larger fish. He didn’t stick and I couldn’t get him to return, but it was fun seeing my friends shock at the results a big fly can bring.

A fun day of Urban Angling and new view of what you can find close to the city.

 

[Old Man]

I have this little stream that is about 50 feet from my front door here in Dillon. They have been working on it and two bridges that cross it for over 10 months now. Just before they worked on the last 50 feet or so there was a small hole where the fish stacked up at. I was going to walk across the street to fish but when they worked on the last of it they took the damn hole out. I have no idea where the fish went and I sure hope they hurry up and get their stupid work done so I don't have to travel all over the state to fish.

This little stream has Browns and Cutts in it. Nothing over 12" but fun on a 3wt.

 

[Gary Thompson]

Good fishing across the street is priceless, ya mind if i move in next door? OMJ
Josh, I didn't mean to hi jack.
As a new single guy with girl friend, I find that the fishing time is staying about the same (O ya, she goes home after we have had fun)
Now she would like to go fishing also, but has other activity to attend to, so lucky me, I go fish and she wonders why her casting has not improved.
Quality not quantity time with the girl of your dreams is very important, I hope she like to fly fish, big plus.
Nice report, don't ya just love it when a plan comes together.

 

[Mumbles]

Josh, well written and more convincing information that I need to find my way to that tree stream. I wish the best for the post graduation Bellingham merger in your near future. I hope it provides some more fishing time for you, and her too.

 

[Wormonhook]

Stress, more stress, very stressed then a fun day on the water with friends, a neat bird, and good fishing. Life is good. Best wishes on your new career and relationship. I recall a suggestion a mentor gave me: take an hour a day for yourself, a day a week, and a weekend a month. I haven't always been able to do it but it's a template that I found helpful. Thanks for the great report.

 

[Stewart]

Unless you want to be a lonely old man, Josh, you will always sacrifice fishing time for your loved ones. Glad you got out and hooked some though. I spent two days floating a lovely MT river with my daughters. During those two days I spent all of an hour fishing, and felt bad for not spending that hour with my girls. Besides, I got skunked again. There are days when you just gotta fish, and if your girlfriend understands that, then you haven't wasted any time driving to Seattle.

 

[Miso Harney]

The river was cold and clear, there was plenty of structure, and I was immediately drawn to a chute that cut under a root wad and was bordered by a downed tree. 4 cast's and my Pat's Stone was grabbed by a fat, richly red stripped, 15 to 18 inch rainbow. The fished made a number of high leaps and bucking runs before I brought leader to hand and he slipped the barbless fly from his own mouth. Over the next couple hours we caught a number of fish, most in the ten inch range. My friend encountered a larger one that quickly spit the hook.

Heh, I know that spot, you caught Mortimer. He's one of my favorite troutpops. He likes to streeeeetch and contract when caught so you can't judge his length too closely. He's a funny one.........sounds like your friend hooked his brother Angus. that sumbitch is out of his mind crazy. He'll even try to kill a mouse pattern.......

Nice report.