I sat at my fly-tying table — cleverly disguised as the kitchen table — and struggled to create a simple black ant pattern that my buddy Rod taught me. I finished the final wrap, tried in vain to whip finish the thread, and then looked at the result.
Not good. In fact, it fell apart when I set it on the tabletop. Hmmm. It was clear—there was work to be done.
I cut everything off the hook, too cheap to simply start with a fresh hook, and tried again. I wish I could say the result was better. It was not.
My goal, still unrealized for this summer, was to catch a fish on a fly I tied. It's now a fall goal 😄.
Luckily, my other decision, to sell my FlyCraft inflatable drift boat and use the money on two backcountry float tubes, was a success. It opened up all our high mountain lakes to more productive fishing and, quite frankly, more fun.
In summers past, I would hike in, try to fish from the shore, and get frustrated at my inability to work the water, to not catch my backcast on brush, or to reach fish feeding and jumping in the middle of the lake. This year was different.
The backcountry tubes Rod found at the fly-fishing show in Boise last year turned out to be game-changers — in every positive meaning of the word. They were light (around three pounds), inflated quickly with the provided two-way, handheld pump, and, amazingly, were both durable and super comfortable on the water. Of course, the best part? They turned out to be super fishy.
Suddenly, I went from no fish or one fish to multiple fish each and every trip to the high country. And, because they were so light and packed down so small, hiking longer distances wasn't a problem. I haven't yet done a true overnight — though I'm considering it for the fall season — but with this tube, it can totally be done.
If you want to see the tube in action — and are a fan of watching cutthroats destroy dry flies and fight like heck as you try to land them — check out the video we created here. And if you like these videos and want to be the first to view them, consider subscribing to our YouTube channel here.
Pennsylvania Float Trip
Of course, catching fish in Idaho is easy. After all, it's a bucket list item for most avid fly fishermen — for good reason. There's more fishy water — and beautiful, unpressured water — in our wonderful state than anywhere else in the country. Well, in my opinion, but I think it's defensible.
What was surprising to me was how much fishy water existed on the eastern side of the country. This summer, we spent two weeks visiting family in Ohio. As part of that visit (and to scratch my need to fish at least once a week), I scheduled a float trip with Chagrin River Outfitters in Chagrin, Ohio. I challenged them to float eight people (four boats) down a stream nearby and have everybody catch some fish on their fly.
They came through — though they tipped the odds a bit in their favor and let the younger kids use spinning rods. We were targeting smallmouth bass and, to do that, the folks at Chagrin River Outfitters took us to a small river near Erie, Pa. — the cleanest, fresh stone river in the state.
We caught smallmouth, but we also caught Northern Pike, Walleye, and Carp. This trip is included in the video, but if you're a photo person, here are some views of the action to be had on the East Coast.
There is such a thing as a Pennsylvania float trip — and it's fun!
McCall Mountain Dog Friday
It wouldn't be Friday if we didn't send you a few photos of McCall Mountain Dogs loving life.
Hogan, Stanley & Jake (left to right)
Hiking Buddies
"We have a little hiking group (@hikinggrannies) that goes out every week. These three are always ready to hit the trail with us! L to R Hogan, Stanley, and Jake on hike day."
—Kathryn Merida
Kinley and Harper
Water Dogs
Harper (cow dog) and Kinley enjoying the water.
"Kinley and Harper love long hikes followed by some serious water time. Throw in a stick and you're stuck for a while."
—The Wright Family
If you want us to feature your Mountain Dog next Friday, email us a photo and a line or two about whatever it is that makes your dog special.
Save The Date - 2024 Town Edit
It's that time of year again – the 2024 Town Edit will be showing at the Ponderosa Center on Thursday, October 17. The live band starts at 6 p.m. followed by the Town Edit at dark (roughly 7:15 p.m.).
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to view the trailer when it drops.
