Vol. 13 No. 42

ROCK CREEK ADVENTURE

We arrived in Missoula late Sunday evening and stayed in the city for the night. After getting my license squared away early Monday morning we took our time driving up the creek from the Rock Creek Road exit off I-90. The creek is gorgeous, even in the pouring rain. We got our things to the Hogback cabin and suited up for some scouting. It has been a very long while since I have fished a river that large. A long time! The water was definitely up but it was clearer than anything in Nebraska.

A FOOTHILS ADVENTURE

"Ahhhhhh.  This is the life."

I raised my can of beer to our hosts and toasted the occasion. "To good friends and better times."

"To not being in Saudi Arabia," Steve appended. And to that we all shouted, "Amen!"

LOOKING DOWNSTREAM

The rain had just stopped and the thunder from the fast-moving storm was still audible in the distance as I stood along the stream. It felt as if I was literally steaming, as my rain-drenched shirt gave little-to-no relief in the June heat. Looking over the pool, there were still a few sprinkles coming down, but I could already see the glow of sunlight from the North. The same direction the storm’s path had begun in. Life was good I thought, as the afternoons fishing would still go on despite a momentary intervention.

MEMORIES?

The Fourth of July week and this is the time when everyone realizes its summer. Finally! We probably all have some terrific memories about the 4th; it’s traditionally been a great family time in America. Anywhere you look here in town it’s family, grocery carts piles high and stuffed with goodies you probably won’t buy again until next 4th of July.

EFFORT REQUIRED

It is another day and I want to hit a pond to see if the fish will cooperate. I still have not had the canoe in the water so I hike to a pond to see if the fishing is any good. This pond is one of the cookie cutter ponds in this area; about a football field in size. It sets in the middle of the pasture and there are no trees. This makes it much easier to cast than at those ponds where there are fly eating trees.

OREGON LAKE MAPS AND FISHING GUIDE

This new release by Amato Publications is part of the “River Maps” series. The release of this book launches a new series of map books that focus on lakes. Written by Gary Lewis this book covers 40 lakes and their surrounding communities.

POTTED FRUIT

This is a very old recipe and when I came across it recently it was one of those little “lights going on in my head things.” As I said in my article this week too often we get caught up in all the new wonderful stuff and forget the simple fun things. This is one of them and besides its tastes great!

HARROP'S HENRY'S FORK CADDIS

"I give a tip of the hat to BB member Normand for an idea on how to present this very effective caddis pattern." - John Scott

PART OF THE GAME

For a number of years it has been my practice during the summer months to head out after dinner and spend a couple hours matching wits with some of our local trout. Since I am blessed to have three world famous spring creeks within 3 miles of my front door and the Yellowstone River within a couple blocks of my back yard I have lots of options. Unfortunately, even though I live in at the backdoor of trout heaven, I still have to ‘play the game’ and often the opposing team wins.