Some Fish are Just More Fun Than Others

On Sunday, Katy and I arrived at the Carp Lodge.  Just for clarity, she doesn't usually call the house  the Carp Lodge--big surprise, I know.

After we unpacked I drove a short distance to a spot on the river and fished for about 90 minutes; I actually got a nice fish.  I caught it dropping the fly right in front of him.  He moved a little and sucked in the fly.  While it is "up close and personal" I just don't enjoy dropping the fly as much as I enjoy casting it.  Casting to fish I can see is the best; plain and simply it's the best.

Yesterday the predicted heat was a bit intimidating for this older middle age guy.  It ended up being 109.  The Columbia is a cold river so wading in it feels very good on a hot day.  Getting out to walk the shoreline, well that feels pretty hot and sweaty.  I drank a quart of water before I left the Carp Lodge, I drank 8 ounces when I got to the river, I drank the quart I was carrying while I was fishing, I drank another pint when I got back to my truck.  It was bloody hot.

The section of the river I fished yesterday will always be one of my enduring favorite spots.  I walked through the first section fairly quickly.  Partly because I wasn't seeing a lot of fish but even if I had been seeing lots of tailers I was already resolved to move to the second part, the rocky section, before I was tired since that is where I am likely to see bigger fish.  I was glad I did.

I was rewarded by some apex athletes as well as a few 8-9 pound fish.  John Montana coined the term "apex athletes" for Carp that are 16-18 pounds.  It's perfect.  Pound for pound they are the best.  A fish that is over 20 pounds makes a great picture but I swear a 22 pound fish doesn't usually fight as well as a 17 pound fish.

There was no dropping flies today; it was all casting, just how I like it.  I had to sit down on a log a few times and rest but I fished all of this particular piece of water.  It is a hell of a lot of walking.  I won't be able to do it someday.  For now, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity.

This fish weighed 17 1/2 pounds.  In the end what I really remember is that I saw him take the fly, I set the hook, and he put up a dogged, persistent fight--truly an apex athlete.

I had the video camera on for some of my casts and I got a few takes recorded.