Shutting down 2011

The last trip of the year should always be special.

..At least appreciated for what it is.

I almost didn't go this morning. The holidays have taken the usual toll and I am tired. A day home with the family and the guitar would've been nice.

My previous trip to the river was exceptional and the last fish from that trip was outstanding.

...I could've ended nicely on that note. ...But I didn't.

I kind of forced myself today. It was certain to be my last opportunity of the year and I knew it would've become a regret if I'd stayed home.

There break between Fall Fishing is a long one. I fished today for those days in early August..LOL. So up I go...

The plan was to hike in at the hydro wires and fish the 'Cedars' and the 'Swamp' at dawn.

I got to the access point at around 7ish...and so did everyone else .... WTF UGH...tons of people...tons...

So... I regroup and head up to the 'Dump'... SAME FUCK!

I just about drove home...droves of people So I double back to Chapmans and decide to start at the 'Newrun' and fish backwards...as in downstream to the 'Peach bag run' I didn't expect much...

I was wrong!!!!! I hadn't been over these little sections for quite some time and it was a treat for me not without a certain nostalgic value.

There is one section we used to call '"My" Clay Bank' and it really fished well....Too well.... I got schooled there more than once today. Big fish that were in October mode. Fun but really did a number on my healing shoulder injury. Oh well...the day was salvaged, I was alone and it was beautiful. On the way out I stopped to look around and realized what a cool place I was in. The freezing rain sounded like frying bacon on the leaves... Time to shut er down.