Not just another fishing trip.

Still unpacking what to take away…

Returned from my annual fishing/camping trip in the Yakima River Canyon a few days ago and it just feels different^*. Like I’ve learned something about where I am on my quest to recapture some of the passion I once had for fly fishing. Or maybe it is getting a glimpse of the reality of aging I have up to now successfully ignored.

The anticipation and ramp up to this year’s trip were no different than usual. I even bought a new rod and reel designed for fishing streamers. A tactic only given a minimal amount of practice in all my years of fly fishing. Like so many these days, I’ve been caught up in the hype of throwing big flies, imitating larger food items, to coax out the bigger specimens in the river. Last Tuesday it was finally time to pack the Chevy with the camping and fishing gear, load the pontoon boat, pump in $80 of regular, and head for the Canyon.

The camping situation was going to be different this year due to taking precautions for a government shutdown that looked likely to occur. With limited camping options in the canyon that are not owned by the Federal government I hedged my bets and secured a significantly more expensive site at the one private campground. In spite of the shutdown being averted two days before leaving, I decided to keep this reservation because the launch I wanted to use for my river floats was located at the campground. Apparently, no one else was equally concerned about the potential shutdown because I was the only camper in the campground beside the camp host who I never saw the three night I was there. So, camping was very peaceful with the only traffic being a few guides with clients using the launch mornings and evenings.

The first float started with optimism after strong coffee and a hardy breakfast. Even enjoyed a small herd of Big Horn Sheep across the river as I prepared to launch.

Of course, the scenery from the river is always amazing.

If only the fish would cooperate and on the first day none did. Day two was only slightly more successful. Frustrating, yes, but what has changed? When I started fishing the Yakima River after moving to Washington it wasn’t a pushover, but I could count on a decent day with several rainbows coming to hand. The past couple of years have been dismal. What has changed? The river, the fish? It certainly couldn’t be me. Or could it? When discussing with local anglers they blame the increased fishing traffic on the river. They think the fish are just harder to catch as they are pounded hard all summer. The amount of fishing pressure does seem to have increased in the 13 years I’ve been fishing it. I’m not convinced that is the entire answer. This will require some campfire contemplation.

I just re-read a lengthy analysis that was way too technical and self-absorbed to be of interest to anyone, so I deleted it. It boils down to two issues; 1. I’m getting older and less physically mobile and 2. I just don’t put in the time on this river to keep up with the subtle moods and conditions that effect success. The bottom line is this river is still a joy to float with the occasional large trout being icing on the cake.

*This trip occurred the first week of October of this year and I’m just getting around to publishing the post.