My Dream Fishing Trip

This blog entry is my submission for the Red Tuna Shirt Club and Outdoor Blogger Network Writing Contest.

I have been thinking about what my ideal fishing trip would be, and having reflected upon past fishing experiences to create it. As a child I remember going fishing with my father in central Utah. We would drive up a small canyon and pull over where it changed to a dirt road. Early morning trips would start cold and crisp with the dew covering everything along the stream banks. Mule deer would be moving along the creek and feeding in the meadows before heading up the mountain sides to bed down. This is where I remember catching some of my first trout. My father showed me how to fish along the eddy lines and behind boulders to find feeding redsides. At that age almost all the fish were huge and we caught plenty of them. With a pole in one hand and fishing creel slung over the shoulder, these trips are the seedlings for my trout fishing passion.

With this in mind, I think the perfect trip would be a trout fishing trip; somewhere in the mountains where there is plenty of trout and wildlife to enjoy.  Nearly forty years have passed since my early childhood fishing trips and my life has changed.  I would enjoy floating down the river with my dad and my four children. To me this would make the perfect trip.  

With the criteria set, I think the obvious choice is trout fishing in Alaska with my family. To me this is one of the most rugged and scenic places on earth. All the stories you hear about Alaska involve wildlife around every corner. We could see tall snowcapped mountains and bears and moose feeding along the river bank. We would also be able to see remote rivers that hold some of the biggest trout ever.  I would also have the opportunity of floating down the river, and showing my father how and where to drift flies in the current. This will allow me to share with my children what my dad shared with me and continue on for generations.  This would represent my dream fishing trip.

Tuesday Night Fly Tying

For the second time now I have had a chance to hang out at Bass Pro Shops and tie flies. My neighbor, who works in the fly shop asked me last month to take the fly tying class there so I agreed, can always use the improvement and helpful tips. Both of the classes have been enjoyable with several people sitting around the table tying flies. We have played around with a few patterns, although the time is mostly spent talking about whatever random topic pops up. It is amazing that you can sit with someone you have never meet, but through a passion for an activity, there is a bond as if you had known them for years.

One of the flies we tied was a bass plug using deer hair. If you have never tried to tie a fly using deer hair I recommend it highly, it was a lot of fun. As you can see from my fly, you have to keep tying to get better at it.