Today, I finally got the chance to fish an upper part of river that I have been eyeing for years.  My brother in law and I planned on a later float- hopefully hitting the prime reaches, at dusk when the big fellas come out to play.  We had to go today to miss the cold, rainy forecast for the next few days.  Up here- in God’s Country summer keeps teasing us.  The water turned out to be nothing like I thought but so much better.  Two different juvenile bald eagles acted as our escort for much of the time- the first bailing when I would assume, we entered the territory of another far bigger juvenile eagle.   The silence was startled only by grouse, kingfishers and a huge commotion that we could only assume was a moose.  I suppose it could have been a deer lost in the marshy goodness but it is prime moose territory and considering the tight quarters we were really hoping it was not a bear. 

Most people are still chasing trout- with stellar results on brook trout from what I hear.  We decided to load up for smallies and pike.  This water is epic- lots of fish holding water.  We banged the banks, fished midstream holes….it turned out to be good casting practice.  The river is loaded with timber which made standing while casting in canoe interesting to say the least.  Many people would be discouraged by our lack of success but I got more excited.  I have been looking for a river to be a project for the summer and I have finally found it.  Many return trips are going to be in the works.  Lucky for us my brother in law has a tiny bladder and we had to pull over for him to put some needed water into the stream.  My new set up is all A’s and it finally got a chance to dance. 

Before I keep going I know these stories about the fish that got away.  And people always say it is for real and most times you just shake your head at another good fish story.  BUT BUT I did lose the biggest smallie I have ever seen on the end of my rod- I fish that will haunt me for years.  We decided not to bring a net and as I dropped to lip the fish….she turned tail and laughed.  My hands shook for a long time after that.  Tying on new flies and casting proved to be daunting since my hands were shaking and my eyes focused like I had been hitting the whiskey like a good Irishman.   Exploring new water is so much fun.  Every turn was new; every side channel into the lily pads, every ox bow was a hidden jewel.  I felt like Lewis and Clark and if was not for the occasional signs of humans- I would have believed. I cannot wait to return and get this water dialed in.  This trip has renewed my spirit for exploration.  New water, new adventures….hopefully next time I will play the fish right with a grip and grin at the end.  Because no matter what fishermen say landing fish is still an important part any fishing trip.  Photos coming soon…