merrily down the stream...

I finally did it! I covered roughly 16 river miles in one float. The Green River below Flaming Gorge is broken down in three sections: A (~7 miles), B (~9 miles), and C (~15 miles).  This float included both the A and B sections. I meandered Tigre (my boat) through all the rapids, including Red Creek.  Beyoncé was on repeat internally during the final 4 miles to the boat ramp. Not only was I feeling flawless, I also felt like I had slayed... all day. That mental high was needed. 

This was the first time Tigre has met the creek that runs red. Red creek is classified as a class 3 rapid and has sunk plenty of boats over the years. First impressions can make or break (literally) relationships so I kept her pretty quiet through the encounter. I'm sure it will be the first of many peaceful encounters. 

Mother Nature has shown some humor lately. After a series of pleasant days with 60 degree weather, she decided to appease the trouts' requests for easier top water targets. She brought in cool temperatures mixed with rain, hail, and a stubborn breeze. The perfect combination to prevent the blue winged olive mayflies (BWOs) from drying their wings quickly. They literally become sitting targets on the top water...blankets of them. Envision the airports during dangerous weather... planes docked at terminals with helpless passengers stranded. At least the passsengers don't have a hungry predator lurking below. Unfortunate time for the BWOs for sure, but an excellent time for an angler! 

In April, at 6k feet in elevation, never leave without your waders. Rain jackets and pants are a poor substitute. Lesson learned. I couldn't button my pants after finding relief on the nearby bank before grasshopper island. My fingers were refusing to cooperate. My boss noticed my blue lips by red creek, which isn't the first for the two of us. Last year a similar situation occurred in August. From this point forward if my boss notices any tint of blue, I'm forced to wear hooker-red lipstick. I disdain all things related to materials applied to the face. My waders will accompany me on Tigre for the remainder of the season regardless of Mother Nature's mood. 

As for relief from the onslot of underwater attack, Mother Nature is still favoring the scaly, finned creatures. Rain is currently serenading my silnylon roof as I type this entry. Perfect day for a warm beverage, great book, or a fly rod...oh (almost forgot) and a good pair of waders. Not such a favorable day if you're an emerging BWO. If only their wings could dry faster! 

her maiden voyage...

On paper it's spring! Contractually, then, birds should be serenading each other in hopes of getting laid. Chlorophyll production should start to see an increase as new plant growth begins to resume following months of dormancy. Warmth should, by default, blanket the land with ole man winter leaving for his pilgrimage to the Southern Hemisphere.

Not so! At least not in the sleepy town of Dutch John, UT. Take a glass globe, fill it with white grains and a hodgepodge of buildings, such as, cabins, gas stations, trailers, boats, houses, and a church. Now, add the liquid component. Flip the globe upside down, shake gently for 10 secs. Congratulations, you created the current conditions in Dutch John. The only item missing is the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack. 

Given the conditions, then, you understand why I initially didn't want to go. I found the wood stove to be strongly persuasive. Perfect weather for a hot beverage and a good book. But the bugs! The hatch would arrive on cue and I would be guaranteed a blank if I remained in the warmth. Discomfort is only temporary. 

 Photo credit: Darren Bowcutt

The temperature peaked at 32 degrees as I backed the boat on the ramp located below the dam. Fresh snow clung to the canyon walls and trees as more snow began to fall. The air was silent, not even the slightest breeze. 

Midges scurried about on the water's surface without the slightest concern for the danger lurking beneath. Some newly hatched midges waited for their wings to harden, while others began the task of looking for a mate. An appetizer, if you will, for the nearby birds and trout. The main course would arrive a bit later in the form of a larger bug: a mayfly, more specifically, a blue-wing olive. Even with the size of a pea for a brain, trout keyed in on the opportunities to feast and began to look up. We could actually see their noses break the surface of the water. Gentle surps could be seen as well as the more violent takes similar to a shark breaching the water sending a seal cartwheeling to it's immanent demise. 

On this particular day, the trout had their heads up earlier on the river than in previous days. Within a mile of the put-in, the first fish arrived in the boat courtesy of an aerial take. This pattern continued throughout the day increasing with intensity as we traveled downstream. At one point, both lines were dancing with fish: a double. 

Photo credit: Ryan Kelly

Despite the larger snow flakes that began to fall or the tinier ice that came in waves, the bugs continued to hatch and the fish continued to take advantage. We, therefore, continued to fish. It was the only logical solution. We ignored or, perhaps, tolerated the unpleasant absence of sunlight and the consequences associated to remain surrounded by pools of rising fish. A 16 year-old scotch provided some motivation as well. 

The maiden voyage was a success. Great company, beautiful views, and healthy, rising fish. Life on the Green. 

Photo credit: Brad Lovejoy

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