This year’s Idaho Fish-In was different somehow. Not only in the regulars
that were absent, but by circumstances as well. There was some heavy road
work being done along Highway 12 as it follows the course of the Lochsa River.
Many of the favorite spots were blocked by heavy machinery and those who drove
the highway to fish the Lochsa met with traffic delays that lengthened their
driving time considerably.
Those of us who fished the Selway found tough conditions as well. Not in the
form of road work, but in water that was lower and warmer than the trout liked.
It had been a really pleasant summer for the human beings, but a bit too warm
for the trout. The fish were hanging out in different spots than in previous
years due to the water conditions. There was also a controlled burn being
conducted along the upper Selway Road making for some very smoky conditions.
![[image no longer available]
A very pretty West Slope Cutt (Photo by Ron Hise)
![[image no longer available]
Ron Hise with a nice Cutthroat (Photo by Kat or Jack Hise)
With some regulars absent, folks like Denny, Ken, and Les Young, to mention
just a few, our ranks were swelled a bit by some new members who joined us.
Jack Hise’s Sister-In-Law, Kat, joined her husband Ron Hise at this year’s
event and caught her first fly rod fish at the Fish In. Also new to the Fish-In
were Kelly (Flyfisher121) and his wife Jeanene (HookedForLife). Up from Oregon
were Steve and Linda, friends of David L and Diane. Jerry Rector (Forthebirds12),
a new member, joined in too. I can’t forget to mention Rick and “the Gator
Boyz”. While they aren’t FAOL members they time their vacation to coincide
with the Idaho Fish-In and join in. A great group of guys. (They ride John
Deere Gators up and down the Selway Road, hence Gator Boyz.)
The trip was made especially nice because our friends David L from Oregon
and Judy (Flychick) from Washington were able to attend and get some fishing
in. Both have been battling cancer and both looked terrific (Okay, Judy looked
more terrific than David, but they both had HAIR!!).
All together we had 31 folks in attendance in 2009. Considering the economy,
the price of traveling these days, not to mention the hassle of flying, not
too bad a showing.
My lovely wife, Vickie, and I showed up a bit early and established FAOL Base
Camp at Three Rivers Resort. We passed on the cozy cabins we’ve used in the
past and set up our “Condo” in a camper space. Okay, with the guy ropes and
all, it was two camper spaces, but who’s counting. Yes, that is a stove pipe;
nothing like a wood stove to keep out the evening chill.
FAOL HQ AKA “The Condo”
The row of spaces usually occupied by tent folks was filled with the trailers
of road construction workers. While it was a bit inconvenient for tent campers
it did keep the FAOL crowd pretty close together, which was nice.
This was a very unstructured Fish-In, as it always has been. We have three
events that are placed on the “Announcement” white board; The Ladies Fishing
Day, the Casting Contest and the BYOM (Bring Your Own Meat) Cookout/Pot Luck.
The remainder of the time it’s all about the fishing Decisions about where
to fish and with whom are made at the campfire in the evenings, in the Rumpus
Room during the nightly tying sessions or over a cup of morning coffee.
Brandon (Magicbug) during an evening tying session (Photo by Jeanene Michelsen)
Speaking of evening tying sessions, Ron Hise’s wife, Kat, said she wanted
to try fly tying so I offered to let her try my tools and vise. I was playing
with the idea for a fly to try when they came into the Rumpus Room. I showed
her how to tie the fly I thought up, then had her sit behind the vise and
talked her through tying the fly. The lady is a natural tyer and Ron Hise
won’t have to buy any more flies if she really gets going. The next day she
took her very first fly to the river and connected with this fish. The smile
says it all.
"![[image no longer available]
Kat with her 21 inch Cutthroat.
The really big event is Ladies Fishing Day. The women folk lay claim to a
day on their own and woe to the gent who tries to invite himself along. Sometimes
they just want to fish without us men folk around. Don’t blame them either.
This year Wednesday was the day. The Ladies gathered up in the early morning,
commandeered a pick belonging to Steve and Linda Hall and headed up the Selway
River Road. They never really tell anyone where they fish; they just bring
back photos of them holding big fish to taunt the rest of us.
The Ladies fan out to find the fish.
A nice West Slope Cutt headed for the net.
Judy (Flychick) releasing a very nice Cutty.
One interesting note, Judy (Flychick), during the morning, did see a black
bear at the river. During a lunch break, the ladies heard something crashing
through the brush, heading downhill towards them. According to the Ladies
themselves, thinking a bear may soon burst upon them, the fishing gear, chairs,
etc were loaded and they were all headed down the road in double quick time.
Pre-Bear scare lunch on Ladies Day
As usual, the casting contests are on Friday afternoon, just before the BYOM
Cookout/Pot Luck Dinner.
The grill at the BYOM Cookout/Potluck (Photo by Jeanene Michelsen)
The cake for Jack Hise’s 70th Birthday (Photo by Jeanene Michelsen)
A very intent grill watcher, Miss Lady, Z’s best friend. (Photo by Jeanene
Michelsen)
The accuracy Contest was won by newcomer Jerry Rector (forthebirds12) to claim
the prize of a Red Shed Fly Shop ball cap and a very nice dun mature hen cape
from Conranch Hackle. Jeff Winikoff (JeffW) claimed the victory in the distance
contest winning a Red Shed Fly Shop ball cap, a Three Rivers Resort T-Shirt
and the rod everyone used in the contest. A very smooth casting Redington
RS-4, 4 piece 5 weight.
On the final Saturday, the crowd at the resort started to thin out bit by
bit as we waved good-bye to old and new friends alike. By evening there just
a few hold out trout bums still in camp. We fished a few more days then packed
up our tent and headed home ourselves. Already wishing it was September 2010
and we were heading to Lowell, Idaho to do it all over again.
Our thanks to all those who attended this years Fish-In. The fishing may have
been tougher this year, but the folks were just as friendly as ever making
this another great Fish-In.
Mark your calendars for September 18th through the 25th, 2010 for the next
Idaho Fish-In. See ya there.
Originally published October 26, 2009 on Fly Anglers Online by Ron and Vickie Eagle Elk.