I just had a birthday (I’m 2 weeks older than Hawaii. The state, not the island). For my birthday gift my wife reserved a long weekend in a lodge up in Dunsmuir which is a little town right at the base of Mount Shasta.
And for Sunday, she arranged for a full day guided trip to the Upper Sac with Bill Carnazzo as my guide. I’ve met Bill at an Auburn Fly Caster’s meeting and he’s a good guy. I’m sure we’ll get along great and I look forward to learning all I can from him.
I’ve been on such a blue funk from getting skunked so often. Many of you have suggested “Go out with a guide” but I could never bring myself to spend the money on myself. Well, my wonderful wife did it for me.
I’ve never worked with a guide. This will be a new experience for me. I’m as excited as kid expecting a new bike on Christmas.
Bring a WADING STAFF. Bill will undoubtedly have an extra, but you might as well come prepared…
I have learned, the hard way, to always have a telescoping trekking pole with me. I keep a carabiner on my wading belt (another important safety device) and I just clip it there when I’m fishing.
As Colin Fletcher use to write, it turns me from an “insecure biped into a confident triped.”
Bill is a great guide and a first class instructor. You will learn a lot on this trip if you don’t fish pocket water regularly.
That’s really how I’m approaching this. I have no ego about my fly fishing skills. I’m really looking forward to learning from Bill. Anything that can help me be a better fisherman and enjoy the sport more will be a wonderful addition to my skill set.
I head up to Dunsmuir every October for a multi day/ river trip. Dru you are going to love it and i’m sure it will be a wealth of information for your future exploits. Make sure to ask questions about some of your previous experiences and what your guide might do in similar situations for your home water.
Your wife is a definate “keeper” no catch and release there for sure. Enjoy yourself!!
Are you going now? Because it has been like 100 degrees and the fishing not so great, but come october/november it should be alot better. Even late september will be better than now.
Lucky you. Have a great time.