Bringin in the New Year at The Ford

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
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With Christmas around the corner, it begs the question. How are you starting off the New Year? For a number of years now there have been a number of depraved, mindless, masochistic individuals who have chosen to meet at a frequently inhospitable location to attempt getting the year off on the right foot. Snow, rain, wind, cramped quarters, good company and an occasional nice fish have been the rewards. Who’s game? I’ll be there, not that it’s much incentive for anyone else, but misery does love company. Come try out your new toys boys and girls.

Cary Morlan
AKA Linemender
Cheapest fly fishing guide in the Columbia Basin
(For good reason)

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Linemender;
For the past 11 years, (2008, will be our 12th, if all goes as planned!), Bishop and I have fished Rocky Ford Creek on New Years Day. Like, you asked… “How are you starting off the New Year?” and Bishop and I feel there’s no BETTER WAY, to begin a new year, than to hook into some 20+ inch rainbows!?!

And, obviously, if you’re into this tradition too, it’s catching on. Year, before last, we ran into Jim and Kelly Watt, over on The Ford and they told us, “how they’d also started the same tradition on New Year’s Day”.

In fact, over the past years, we’ve run into a bunch of great folks over on “The Creek”, standing in the snow, fishing #20 Humpys, Griffiths Gnats and even Tricos.
We all, look at one another, with the expression of “What are we… NUTS?, for standing out here, in this weather, fishing?” and then all readily agree that: “OF COURSE we are, that’s what’s FUN about it!”

Unfortunately, I’ve got to have some medical tests, here, in the next few days which may determine if I make it up there, this New Year’s Day or not. (or, perhaps, if I’ll be giving up fly fishing much sooner than I thought I ever would). But, hopefully, we’ll run into you and the rest of the gang…come New Year’s Day!!! If we do, don’t forget that as usual, this also includes a late morning breakfast, in Quincy, when we’re through!

Paul

3

I will probably start it off steelhead fishing on the Coos River here at home. If not there it will be on one of the forks of the Millicoma River.

Rocky

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Elkhunter;
Very quickly, because I don’t want to hijack anyone’s post… but currently, what shape is the Coos River in, with all the rain we’ve had lately?

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Flybinder I sent you a pm.

Rocky

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I’m right next to ya, Cary!!

Jeff

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Mr Linemender,
I have to ask, who in their right mind would want to go fishing at de Ford on New Years Day? Snow. wind, freezing temps… conditions no proclamined dryfly fisher such as you would ever partake in.

Z

PS, what time do we meet in the parking lot?

8

I’m having second thoughts. Jeff, can I ride with you? I’ll tie all the flies. And split the gas bill.

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Flybinder, I’m surprised we haven’t run into you. Or maybe we have. We’ve been doing this for a few years now. 6 maybe? Anywho, we are always at the last parking lot. I’m please to hear that Z, JeffW, and hopefully Lowtech Joe, all veterans of this fiasco, are planning to attend. I look forward to any other alumni and certainly any who are coming for the first time.

Jeff, email me, I have some pictures for you.

Cary Morlan
AKA Linemender
Cheapest guide in the Columbia Basin
(for good reason)

10

Cary;
It’s sort of funny, all the times Bishop and I have fished on New Year’s Day at The Ford and then a month or six later on… run into someone, in a fly shop, wherever and they’ll say "YOU, were at Rocky Ford on the First? Wow, so was I, (so, were we, etc.) and yet we can’t even remember seeing anyone as they’ve decribed what they were wearing and we tell them what we had on!?! (color/type of vest, color/type hat or coat, whatever).

Anyhoo, IF I get to go, this New Year's, (marking it as our 12th year, but recent medical tests on Saturday may rule out me going and maybe, even, giving up fly fishing all together pretty shortly), just be on the look out for two men, around 6'2" tall each, that when you see them, you'll elbow the guy next to you and whisper to them.............. "Hey, look at THOSE TWO, will ya? I wonder what homeless bums, are doing........clear out here, in the middle of this cold and snowy desert!??"  Then, you'll have spotted Bishop and I, for sure!!

Or, if you spot a couple of guys that make you kick yourself, for not packing a side arm for protection, or you suddenly have the urge to pick up a large rock and gauge its throwing accuracy… that’d be us, too.

HOPE to see you there, we’ll see!!

Paul

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Paul,
Your not the only one who has been mistaken for a bum! Last year me and two other guys were trying to mark a trail for a Volkswalk, in a rich, old neighborhood in Portland and some Lady gave us the strangest look and asked what we were doing! When it dawned on me what she was insinuating, we all started laughing!
Fellow Bum,
Doug

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I will be heading over there as well. I like to fish the Yak during the winter so why not knock ice out of my guides at Rocky as well. See you all there.

Larry :smiley:

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Not wishing to impose but, how about a few words and a set of pictures of the ‘event’? Make fine reading for the rest of the guys. Just email and we will take it from there! 8)

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Well, JC.as as I posted above… looks like the new health issues are going to keep me from joining this really great group of “Snow-Trout Bums” this year and bring my 11 years straight, to a final close, dag-nab-it!

But, for something to compare to, when and if, you do get “trip pictures”, this is one view of “The Ford”, taken this past summer of “The Watercress Run” as we’ve come to call it. It’ll be interesting to see, how the “winter pictures” make it look!?

If, anyone, going can snap this same location/picture, when you go this New Year’s Day, and send it to JC, or post it here, it would make for an interesting comparison!

(Don’t worry… once you’re there, even in winter, this location will become quite obvious to take the right pic!!)

Have fun!

Paul :frowning:

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Flybinder,

Looks like your standing near the spillway. VEE likes to fish that hole for the big’uns that reside under the spillway. Never has caught one.

VEE and I will try to make it, depending on pass conditions.

REE

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Great call, (and you obviously, know The Ford well!?!).
I took this picture, about 25 yards, I’d guess, down from the spillway. (second one, the abandoned one). At the time, I was actually getting ready to shoot a pic of my fishing buddy playing and landing a beautiful 'Bow, but just before I turned his way, he shouted out “I, think, this one’s BIGGER that the one, YOU just got, Paul!”
So, obviously, my thoughts went straight to “scenery”, instead of “Buddy hooks big fish!”
That’ll learn him, to brag!

Hope you can make it, it sounds like it’ll be a blast!! I was really looking forward to meeting so many FAOL friends, but “Oh well”!

Paul

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JC I’ll have my digital camera and make sure I spend time shooting pics. I’ll keep you in the loop. We need to figure out a way to ID each of us who may not know the other so we can introduce ourselves. Red handkerchief around the neck maybe?

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looks to me like a mini CWFI. is this only new yrs day? i have to work both holidays :frowning: :frowning:

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Just the first fishing day of the year Roadhog. Some of us just show up, kibbitz and fish a little. Nothing organized, some years rather Chaotic. Always a good time.

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Every year a little chaotic!! Lots more chat than fishing it seems, but a great time. Bitter cold, howling winds, snow. It just doesn’t get any better!!

Jeff