Subzero and Snowing
Friday was the day. For me, it was the first day since mid November where I just knew it when I went out the door. I had the innate sense that the fishing was going to be on. Well, in truth, my sense is partially developed from years of experience and understanding simple patterns. Seven days of mild, above freezing highs in the middle of winter. The strong Chinook winds that had been blowing were lying down as the next cold front approached. The fish have no choice but to take advantage of water a degree or two above the norm, especially with the next arctic blast approaching. And I almost missed it.
The Drive
Friday was my day to clean the house in preparation for my son’s 11th year birthday party, Airsoft Gun war and sleepover on Saturday. There was also laundry to do among other domestic tasks, plus my own list of business details. I had better be on time to pick up my wife from school with a Pomegranate Martini ready within moments of her walking in the door. At 9:30am, I was at my computer, looking at the weather forecast for Craig, MT and thinking that this is it. Ideal conditions on the water and I’m at home trying to make the right choice. I flashed on a recent post from Headhunters: “As a general rule, the only bad decisions we make exclude fishing.” That sealed it.
Can you feel it!
The Walk
I threw on my waders and hit the road. My fishing gear was already loaded and ready for just such an effort. I grabbed my wife’s new camera that I had purchased for her Christmas present, thinking it would be a good idea to test it out on the Montana landscape and possibly a fish or two. I had a particular spot in mind. It was only 35 min away. I should be able to test the waters, the camera and make it back in time to bust out some chores.
Fish On
Don't be embarrased.
Streamer Chomper
Perfect Trout
Heading Home
Your Wife Will Get You!
Within an hour’s time, I cleaned the upstairs bathroom, swept the living room and kitchen, shop vac’ed the hard to reach corners along with the front entryway, shook out the rugs and sugared the rim of a martini glass. I was at the school entrance by 3:45. No one even asked about my day.
On Saturday morning, my wife grabbed the camera to film my daughter who was in a vocal competition. I was busy making final birthday party prep. When she got home, I got the business. What were you doing all day yesterday hmmm?
The fishing was just as I expected. It was almost unfair. I am still smiling as I look out the window at a cold winter landscape once again. We’ve had about 4” of snow and the temps are going sub zero again.
I’ve been busy for 24 hours keeping up with the boys, feeding them, cleaning up after them and sending them off and cleaning up again. I’ll get the laundry done now and I’ll have time to work all day tomorrow on business. The bruise where my wife pinched me will soon fade. I made a great decision to go fishing!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Dang Fred, I remember last year about this time when you were nice enough to show us this spot. That was one of my favorite days of fishing. The days on the Kenai can obviously turn out to be pretty epic, but that day last year on the Missouri was indeed a good time.
After reading your post about this year…all I wanted to do was pack my stuff and head that way. I think Matt & I will be planning a trip very soon.
You oughta head this way for some steelhead fishing on the Clearwater sometime….the big B-runs are coming in.
Hey Ken. I really do want to make it over to Idaho soon, but I’ve got a boy playing hockey. We’ll see and I will see you in Montana.