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It doesn't matter where they are held, or even if great
numbers of fish are caught - there is something special
about a Fish-In.
For us it takes doing double duty, producing one issue
ahead so we have one to put up when we get back (unless
we are somewhere with Internet access). In this case,
there aren't any phones except a pay phone, so there isn't
any option of staying over the weekend and doing the site
changeover (the new issue) away from the office.
One year we signed up with a local ISP in West Yellowstone, Montana,
so we could hook up our old laptop and actually install the
new issue when we were on the road. A year or so ago I put
up the new issue from Emerald Palms on South Andros, Bahamas.
But they had their own satellite system and we didn't have to
take chances with the strange dial-up system down there.
I'm off the track, but I did want to let you know we do
have some photos from this past week's Idaho Fish-In,
and we will add to them as the folks get home and send
us the ones they take. I'll put a post on the Bulletin
Board as I get additional photos up for everyone to see.
We did get away on Monday, which was earlier than we expected.
Worked out just dandy. Our cabin was ready for us - the owners
of the Three Rivers Lodge left an envelope tacked to the front
of their office with our name, the keys and cabin number on it
and we just moved in.
That's the view out our front door of the Lochsa River.
A cup of coffee on the front porch made it real comfortable.
This whole area is just breathtaking. The Selway is part
of the National Scenic Waters and the view from every turn
of the road is amazing.
Like so much of the west, just because a river isn't on
the 'official list' doesn't make it less beautiful. The
photos below are of the Lochsa.
Benjamin Hart showed up at the Fish-In on Wednesday and
kidnaped JC and me for a float down the Clearwater. The
Selway and Lochsa combine right at the resort to form the
Clearwater. Ben has a very nice raft, well equipped and
we had a wonderful afternoon. We did run through a couple
of small rapids, and even though we have never done any
white water rafting, I can see the attraction. It was
great fun. Ben is a fine boatman and guide, I never had
a worry in the world. Jim and I both missed a strike or
two and he did catch a nice rainbow.
Ben usually guides out of the Missoula region, you can
reach him at dryflies@gmail.com.
The photo above is of the Clearwater.
Most of our meals were taken at the Wilderness Café just
across the river from the resort. After about a day of our
group being in 'town' they put a couple of big tables
together at dinner time and we all sat together and just
enjoyed each others company.
We did get to meet some folks we hadn't met before, Dan
(Grizzly Wulff) Sedergren from Colorado made the trip again.
He had attended last year, but since we left abruptly we
didn't meet him then. Terry Taterus, (hookster) took
Amtrack from Pennsylvania to Whitefish Montana, rented a
car and fished his way down to the Fish-In. Terry solved
the mystery of what the fish up on the Selway were taking,
can you believe ants?
Mark Killam and his dad Everett Killam were camping and
had spent a few days above the end of the road past the
falls on the Selway. Mark was the official firebuilder
and built a warming fire for the steak fry on Friday night.
From the photo below, you can see we didn't starve.
Thanks Steve (Z) and Dan for a great job on the dinner!
Ron and Vicki Eagle Elk (REE & VEE) were there and Castwell
has written about Vicki's fishing in his column. Ron surprised
Vickie with a new fly rod on Friday night.
With the Sage Casting Analyzer there, many of the folks
found time to work on their casting a bit. One of my
favorite things is teaching casting, and it really is
rewarding to be able to see the improvement as the folks
applied what they learned to their fishing.
There will be another Fish-In at the same place next year,
however it will be a 'regional' Fish-In instead of the 'official'
FAOL Fish-In. Denny Conrad, Ron and Vicki Eagle Elk, and Les
Young will be the hosts. Same time, last week in September.
The 'official' one will be near Grayling Michigan in August
2006. Watch for a new Fish-In page for that one soon.
Our sincere thanks to all who attended, it was great to
see everyone. Hope to see you again on another stream. ~ DLB
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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