Feef immediately went back to fishing, and I could tell he was hungry for a fish. He rocketed his streamer to a stagnate part of the river, and a fish darted out and hit his Dali Llama. A quick jolt was all he felt before the fish quickly disappeared.
“Let’s keep moving. It’s gone.” I suggested, as Feef tried and tried again for that same fish.
We came to a nice riffle in the river, and I rigged my 10 foot 5 weight fly rod for euro nymphing. After a quick lesson, Feef picked up the technique, but with no results at first. In a quick attempt to show him how to lead his fly into a pocket, I hooked into a little brown trout that put up a fun fight.
“I got one!” Feef yelled, as he brought his rod tip up. The fish didn’t look big, but it was a fish.
“What is it?” I asked.
“It’s a damn white fish.” Feef said sadly, not wanting to count his white fish as a catch.
“It’s still a fish!” I said encouragingly, but before I could pull out my camera, he had flipped his net over and the white fish plopped back into the river.
Time was running out for my brother, and we were now a ways from his truck.
“We better start heading back.” I suggested, as Feef continued fishing his streamer. He had found a brown trout that would whack at his streamer every so often, and he didn’t want to leave it. My alarm went off, indicating it was time to head back. I snoozed it to give us a little more time. While he focused on the fish he was after, I started euro nymphing a small channel just downstream. My euro flies sank quickly, and right as they fell into the deeper section of the channel, my slinky stretched out. I set the hook fast!
“I got another one!” I yelled out as I fought the fish.
“Seriously?” Feef sighed, his face full of envy.
“Yep… And let me tell you, it feels good to be fighting a fish.” I said, as I grabbed my net and landed the fish.
“That’s messed up, Brother.” Feef said.
My alarm went off again, and this time we couldn’t ignore it. We both got out of the water and clipped our flies off so we wouldn’t be tempted to make another cast.
“That damn fish wouldn’t take my fly.” Feef said, bitterly. “No fish for me today…”
“What are you talking about; you got that white fish!” I said, trying to lighten his mood. Feef shot me a disgusted look of disapproval, knowing full well that I knew his white fish, to him, wasn’t a catch.
“Well look on the bright side, Brother. We know where that fish lives and you can come back and get it next time.”
“Yeah…” Feef said, still not satisfied but looking forward to some payback.
I like the idea of using an alarm. All too often I lose track of time on the river and end up being late for obligations.
I know what you mean… The nice thing about an alarm is that it will still go off when your phone is on airplane mode…. This way no one can bother you.
Erik
Enjoyed the read about your trip with your brother! Great times with family are always the best. Looking at coming out your way in Sept so was particularly interested in this story during same time last year. How is the Boise river this year? Plenty of water?
AE
Water level is just fine, and should be in Sept. I would suggest getting out of town though. I work at Anglers Fly Shop, http://www.boiseanglers.com Call me and I’ll tell you what you need to know. Cheers, and thanks for the comment.
I know the feeling of " NO FISH TODAY " but I don't like handling slimy fish…without gloves…so without gloves ..no fish is a good day outdoors ! And I know what you're gonna say " you always wear gloves " But I don't always catch fish..so there ! That's my happy medium ( Dad ) AS long as I don't get HUNGRY !