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For us the end of a Fish-In is always difficult. The
beginning is the culmination of expectation and planning -
and with a little luck, the weather co-operates and
the folks who come have great water to fish. It helps
a lot if there are actually fish to catch! Someone at
the Fish-In mentioned hearing a weather report calling
for snow. Not uncommon in the western states anytime
after (or before) September. But instead of snow we
had bright sunny days and a little frost on the windshield
in the morning. We couldn't have asked for better. Except
like many there, I didn't want to leave either. I wanted to
stay a fish a couple more days.
Some fished until dark every night and were up and off
at first light. It was not easy fishing every day, and
some days were double number fish days. No great secret,
one day was really great and the next nearly fishless.
But no one gave up.
Fishing was split between the Lochsa and Selway Rivers, with
a few fishing the Clearwater near 'camp.' The concensus was
the Lochsa held bigger fish, with the Selway having more fish.
Rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout were caught, and I heard a
rumor that a brown was caught as well.
I don't have a final count, but almost everyone who had signed
up for the Fish-In came - and a couple we hadn't expected showed
up. There were about 40 people, some had to leave early because
of other obligations - and some came in as early as the Friday
before the 'official' doings. It was a great group of folks!
We picked the dates for the Fish-In carefully with the idea
we could hit the October Caddis hatch. We did. And more.
One group hit a blanket hatch of something very small. Others
hit a mayfly hatch. Stu Farnham claimed he took most of his
fish on Madam X flies. Something for everyone.
Almost every evening found people tying in the Rumpus Room.
Materials were swapped along with tying methods. Cole Martin
from Great Falls, MT. was the youngest in the group, he received
tying lessons and a 'guided' day with Al Campbell. He may have
learned more from his week at the Fish-In than he would have
at school.
It's always a delight to see old friends, some of whom we only
see at events like this one. Putting faces on names is fun, and
we had several 'new' folks at this Fish-In. I'll get more photos with
names up over this week - I have a couple hundred photos - and
more to come. Be a little patient and you'll be able to see for
yourself.
Jeff Fields (Grizzly Hackle) put on his steak fry Friday night again,
at "dark-thirty." I hate to suggest this is becoming a tradition,
but everyone brings what they can (including their own steak - or chicken)
and Grizz does his magic. It's good food and great companionship.
Thanks Grizz for another success!
Our sincere thanks to all who came and made the Fish-In such
a terrific time. It wouldn't happen without you! We are
planning a repeat for next year - same time, same place,
(the last full week in September '04). If you are into planning
ahead, start making your plans now for next year! You don't
want to miss the fun.
~ The LadyFisher
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