Spring Camping Trip. More solitude needed edition

[Big J]

Consumnfire reached out to me a few months ago asking where a good spot to take the dog and camp and fish a few days.  Had a spring camping trip I needed filled and asked if he needed someone to tag along with.  The location I picked is a popular one but I had no idea it was this popular.  Literally crawling with people everywhere.  Got lucky and grabbed one of the last primitive camping spots available.  Hopped into the stream and started fishing behind someone.  We caught fish.  I guess the fish are use to seeing people here and start feeding again a half hour after getting spooked.  And by judging from gear, attire, and personalities of people we talked with, they weren't the most avid fisherman.


Trillium was popping everywhere.




Also will note, tested out a new pair of pants with built in knee pads.  Two thumbs up for them.  Made sneaking up on pools a whole lot easier on the knees.  Stinging nettle doesn't go through the NYCO material.  May be a little warm for 80 degree days, but 50's -70's wet wading they seem awesome. 


Caught a couple dozen of these on dries as we worked headwaters. 


Lots of midges, stones, and mayflies coming off all day long.




False Solomon's Seal


jack in the pulpit


Dog was well mannered for 11 months old.  Stayed behind and out of pools and waited when commanded.




Dogwood


Whipped up a batch of guac and some beef tacos for dinner.


And burned a lot of wood.



Day Two we decided to get up at 5 am and beat everyone to a nearby trib.  Unfortunately while we were the first ones there, the 30 degree night made the fishing slow until about noon.  The nice bottom quarter of pools where I'm sure the bigger fish were didn't produce.  Fishing did pick up and decent fish were caught.  Consumnfire did miss a couple I'd categorize as beastly.


Some bacon fried rice to start the day.


Rhododendron










My big fish of trip.




Then we hit a big series of falls.  Elevation was gained quickly but fish were all up thru this section.


Bushwhack around falls.




Idea of steepness


But these little guys impress me living in the thick of it.


Helleborine (not hellebore    )




Bellwort


Celebrated 7ish miles and 2,000 ft of elevation gain and then loss with ribeyes and baked potatoes.




Perfectly cooked might I add.




Butterflies and moths approved of my funky wading socks.

Day Three we packed up, had some more bacon fried rice, consumnfire followed me out in his car along the sketchy fire road I can't believe he made it thru, and then parted ways.  I hit a stream on way home I haven't fished in a while.  Steller day there.  Easily over 30 fish on dry/dropper rig.  Lots of 3-4 fish pools all in a couple hours.



Small colored up fish warning.












Solomon's Seal








Pants did well.

Drove home about 2 when rain pushed in.  Got home, unpacked, showered, went and picked up a lobster roll.



And then went to back up when I got back home and was binding in reverse.  Had forward gears.  Odd.  Thought brakes might be seized up so I jacked each tire up to see which set were giving me issues.  Think I found the culprit on a brake caliber I replaced a month ago    Caliber top bolt came off from fire road vibrations I guess.  Caliper was hitting rim in reverse and binding wheel.  Could of been worse.  Just a PSA to give those bolts some extra ugga guggas in torque.

[hcrum87hc]

Looks like a fantastic trip.  Great food, company, and some beautiful fish. 

[Woolly Bugger]

splendidly well played 

[Fishbug]

Nice trip.

Primo food choices.

What rod you use....3wt?

I'll leave the Jeep jokes out 

[Dougfish]

Bravo, sir. 

[Big J]

Nice trip.

Primo food choices.

What rod you use....3wt?

I'll leave the Jeep jokes out 

Oh I'm living them Jeep jokes!

And I fished a Reddington Classic Trout 2wt the whole weekend.  Brought a 4 wt for the bigger water but it never came out of tube.

[Native Fisher]

Somebody needs a torque wrench.  Nice fish though.

[Stone-Man]

Helluva trip with great photography.  Solid fish all the way thru with nice wild flowers   !!!!

  Helluva great report-- Thanks for taking us along

  JT

[Phil]

Most Excellent fish and trip report!   

[greg]

Well done Indeed.

[Onslow]

Perfect

[trout-r-us]

Thanks for sharing. Great pictures. I particularly like the one with the dog observing you while you fish. 👍

[Dee-Vo]

Most excellent. Great fishing and just as great photography. New camera?

Since I was young I've always loved having a dog around in the woods. It's always enjoyable seeing them run and explore.

[Big J]

Most excellent. Great fishing and just as great photography. New camera?

Since I was young I've always loved having a dog around in the woods. It's always enjoyable seeing them run and explore.

Nope,  just been using my iphone for the past couple years and editing photos with lightroom app.

[Woolly Bugger]

Most excellent. Great fishing and just as great photography. New camera?

Since I was young I've always loved having a dog around in the woods. It's always enjoyable seeing them run and explore.

Nope,  just been using my iphone for the past couple years and editing photos with lightroom app.

Reel Nice Pics! The iPhone camera technology is superb, I'm just not comfortable holding it mid-stream to take photos. The lens coating on my TG-has deteriorated and causes loss of image quality.