Some Like It Hot ...The Firehole!

Standing beside the Firehole River, it's a world of bright colors and steaming pools...what a sight!!  Yellowstone is famous for its stunning geothermal features...including geysers, steam vents, and thermal pools.  This is the first of two stories I have to tell about one of my favorite Yellowstone rivers...The Firehole!!  I have to go back to June 2009.  The beginning of my fly fishing journey.  I took a beginner fly fishing class that took us to some wonderful places...four destinations in fact.  What I didn't know, was that this would be a fast learning experience on what NOT to do when in a river....Ya, leave it up to me to try to get all the attention.  Ha.  Well,  let me tell you first, why this river is so special...where  else can you find one of the most exotic free-flowing rivers in the country?  And with trout to match!  The excitement builds as you rig up your five-weight and head down the path to an unbelievable sight...it's really hard to explain...you have to experience it... And  Old Faithful geyser basin is just down the road! 



Ok, so I can act like a Dork!

The Firehole is great for wildlife viewing... I spotted a moose and bison on the river bank just two miles north from Old Faithful geyser basin, near Lone Star geyser.  I love to watch the animals...something you don't see  everyday.  (Unless you live in Alaska!)  The Firehole River is as unique as it is beautiful.  It runs about thirty miles and runs through the Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basin's.  The current can be quite strong,  but there are plenty of eddy pools that you can get into and stay in one place as you feel the water swirling around you.  Here is a picture of me enjoying life as it was...before the fish that pulled me out of my comfort zone!  So, I'm thinking that this is the life!  I'm fishing with some really good people in the class and we are all having a great time.  I am in the water and ready to cast away!  Oops!  Tangled line...Oops!  A snag underneath the water...Maybe this isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be!   A couple of class helpers were very patient and kind and got me going in the right direction.  I was just starting to feel in my zone...yep, a quick set and a fish on! 

I believe that this was my 3rd  fish as I remember.  It gave me a fight, which was fun until my foot just happened to find some soft crust and down I went...fishing pole in hand, fish still on the end of my line!  Haha.  Oh no, he wasn't going to get away!!  Now, being a novice and all, I didn't think to cut the line.  No, I chose to follow him for some reason...down the river for about 20 ft or so...My arm was straight up out of the water still...Who did he think he was dealing with anyway?  Ha.  By the time I got back up on my feet with him still fighting for freedom, my flybox took a swim!! 

I thought that I had zipped my inside pocket all the way up.  But, now my fly box was riding the current away from me... Oh no, I wasn't going to let my first box of flies (about 100 of them) go down the river!  I reached out to get my fly box and down I went again!  I really wish that someone had this on video...!!!  I'm sure it was hilarious.  The fish was still on my line...unbelievable.  And on a barbless hook to boot!  By this time, I was waterlogged from  head to foot...the only good part about this was that the water was very warm...It was June and the Firehole River is like 70-75  degrees!!  No kidding.   So, enough of the hot tub experience.  I reeled the fish in and found someone to take a picture of this little bugger...Yeah, he was squawking...heck, he had quite the ride.  But, so did I!  Lesson learned...Cut the line if you have to instead of taking a swim down the river...and always have all zippers zipped! 



Before the Adventure!!!  Nice and Dry... : )



   

Devil's Gold

Just saw this video on a friends page, these are amazing fish and gaining in popularity in the fly fishing world.

Castaway Films spent a week on location shooting deep in the Bolivian jungle to capture these seven minutes of golden dorado fishing.  Check it out!  And be sure to put it on full screen...

Fishin' Around Garage Sales

The first place to look for huge savings on fishing gear is garage sales. There are many people looking to clean up the garage and get rid of their extra gear. From fishing poles to lures to tackle boxes.  Usually, if you spend a weekend finding garage sales you will find some great bargains on fishing gear. Check your local newspaper for listings of garage sales. Craigs list is also a great place to look for garage sales.

How about those garage sales?  Bargains?  Someone else's relic...Now your treasure?




   How about this gas grill lighter?  Everyone needs one of these.      

                                   How true is this sign???

You could get lucky and find something worthwhile...

Example:  My friend's mom was doing her weekly prowl of local garage sales, when she spotted a trout fly rod that appeared to be quite old.  She gave it a good close look and found it very interesting so she asked the owner what the price was. He said it was his grandfather's rod and it was very old but he knew nothing more about it. He believed it to be a real antique so he wanted $20 for it. She pursed her lips and offered him $10. He said, "Look, I will throw in the reel that went with it if you give me $15."  She took a look at the reel and it looked old and quite interesting so she handed over $15 to him and hoped that she had made a good buy.

She tossed it in the car beside the other items that she found that day. A couple of hours later when she arrived home, she handed it over to her husband, who was an avid fly fisherman.  He saw a faint inscription on the metal cap below the rod handle. A good rub with his thumb removed the dirt and he saw a name--Hardy Bros, Alnwick England. He took a look at the grey metal reel which had a bone handle and made out the Hardy Bros mark on there also. In addition it said "Model Perfect".   You tell me...did she overpay or get a really great buy ????  You never know...

The Piece Not Left Behind...

The Outdoor Blogger Network has given a "Photo Prompt" on what our favorite piece of Outdoor Gear would be to take along on our journey...As I thought about this, I really didn't have a favorite.  I mean, my fishing gear is a "total package" deal.  So, back to the question...one item that can't be left behind.  One piece of equipment that never leaves my hand for too long anyway!  Yep, the one, the only, My DROID!  Ok, now I know there will be those who roll their eyes on this one.  You are thinking that I should leave my phone behind when going fishing...Oh to the contrary!!  Let me give you my "Top Ten"  reasons why my Droid must tag along on the journey.  1)  It is my camera.  2)  It is my music.  3)  It is my website (as you can see).  4)  It is my Fishing Report.  5)  It is my Weather and Radar Source.  6)  It is my Google Map for new adventures.  7)  It is my Lake Forcaster (Time2Fish App.)   8)  It is my phone (dah) Just in case I have some exciting news to share!   9)   It is my clock...got to make sure I don't get carried away and I get home for dinner!  10)  I love my Droid.  And I make sure that it has a safe journey too.  It sits inside of a Simm's Waterproof  Pouch and never misses a day of fishing.   One downside on these wonderful devices is that they should run on solar power!!!  Now, there's an idea! 

One "FlyFishingCrazy" Gal

Well, Howard at Windknots and Tangled Lines has posted a contest in conjunction with Larry Snyder at Flyfishingcrazy.com...This is Howard's favorite Fish and Tackle Shop!  (They have some pretty nice nets, by the way)  I thank them for the opportunity to write this little diddy... So, here it goes..."I Am A Fishing Legend In My Own Mind " because...I am fly fishing crazy!!  Really...What's a middle age" woman like me doing with a fly pole in hand ALMOST every week of the year anyway?  I mean, I am a wife, mother of four, full-time accountant and part-time blogger at night!  Ha.  And to boot...I am someone that pretty much lived indoors all of her life! No camping, fishing, hiking, rowing a boat!  Nope.  I have started from scratch in my fly fishing adventure. 



Casting away...

Yep, this is all new to me.  And to my family...may I add.  They wonder what happened to their mother...why she chose this new "hobby" (that's what they call it, but I call it a journey).   One of my daughters said the other day, "You used to cook, sew, clean, and do crafts, Mom"!!  Yes, she is right.  I used to do all of those things.  I used to own a commercial cleaning business... maybe that's why I went on hiatus for awhile! Lol.   I still find time to cook and clean, but the sewing and crafts went out the window.  

My 'Toon

My children love to tell people, "My mom is fly fishing crazy!!" : )   I am.  What can I say?   I am the first in my family to fish.  You would have to go back to my great-uncle Jay from Grass Valley, CA. to find a fly fisherman.  I am sure he is smiling down on me knowing that I picked up a fly rod and can't put it down!  So, why do I think that I am a legend???  Simply put, because I have so many reasons not to be doing this, yet I am!!  I am a born clutz...I stumble over my feet in the river almost every time I go out.   I attract all kinds of mishaps when I go out to fish...Alaska quicksand (help!), poison oak (ouch!), dunk job in the Firehole River (MP3 gone!)

What's for lunch?

And to top it off, for some UNKNOWN reason, I attract the most peculiar visitors on my fishing trips.  Bears in the campground, Elk in the water wading with me, Mice dancing next to my head in the tent,  Bison walking up to me as I am getting into my waders, Snakes crossing my path, and Woodchucks throwing rocks at me! (Just to name a few...can't give away future posts!)  Sometimes, I feel like Mrs. Dr. Doolittle!!  "Adventure In Every Riffle" is pretty close to the truth...If I didn't have so many weird experiences enjoying the outdoors, I wouldn't really have that much to blog about...so, I guess it's all good.

 

River X Collection

Another reason that "I Am A Fishing Legend In My Own Mind" is because I am doing something that is really difficult and totally out of the norm for me.  It really is a miracle.  With perserverence and dedication to learning (and it hasn't happened overnight),  I have gotten where I am today.  Where is that, you say?  Ha.  Well, after many classes to improve my knowledge and skills and endless hours on the water, I am now the buggiest girl around...Never liked them much before!  Ha.  But, now I'm looking under every rock, riffle, and plant...I will go out on a limb for them!  I can say that this So. Cal. city slicker is now a bonifide, trout bum!  Yep, give me a little mud on my boots and a fly box of my favorite things...and I can be found on the river from sun up to sun down.  Rain or snow...

No, I'm not a boy!!



This fisher lady has taken her fly fishing all over the West!  "Journey On" is a common phrase that I use with my friends.  They know that I have a zest for life and that I love the "road trip".  Give me a three day weekend, and I will find a new water hole.  Over mountains, rivers, lakes and streams I go...creating new memories and overcoming challenges that await!  My newest quest is perfecting the Czech nymphing technique.  It's not the easiest way, but it is an absolute thrill when you set the fish...As my journey continues and I cast upon new waters, I can say that "I Am A Fishing Legend In My Own Mind"!!  A fisher lady that never lets adversity stop her.  And hopefully someday, my grandchildren will say, "Grandma, you are fly fishing crazy!  Can we come along?"!!...Thanks, family...for letting me live my dreams and experience  the "Adventure In Every Riffle"!