South Fork of the Spring 6/21 and 6/22

[joeD]

We're fishing. But, let's be real. The proverbial ball has to get rolling.

 

An innocuous Friday started with a 3 miler about 4pm.( Did the same float last October with excellent results paddling upstream from the put-in, fishing a longish pool in rainy 50 degree temps.)  No such luck this time. Beauty riffle half mile above put in produced fish . We turned around and headed downstream. Out of nowhere,( unpredicted on weather apps) (no signal btw in Saddle), a squall line descended upon us, while we were in a long slow and deep hole the middle of the river. The noise of the wind and the steady violent movement of the trees making its way upstream towards us made fishing moot and we tried to scurry to the bank. Too late. Heavy wind gusts actually tipped us over. We were close enough to the mud/tree bank to get to safety. My partner, however, lost two rods in the debacle. With wind and thunder and lightning around us, M bailed water out of the canoe while I dove into the stream to find his rods. And I did find one of them. After 45 minutes. Then, after bailing the water out of the canoe, my partner took off his wading boots and walked out into the stream with just wading socks, hoping to get a better feel of the bottom and recover his number 1 (and most expensive)  outfit. He did.  We laughed and shook our heads. Everything recovered, nothing lost, and most importantly, we're safe and unharmed. And we moved downstream. Caught fish too. A lot them. Nothing huge, but steady and healthy. Topwater action deluxe.

Saturday was a 9 miler. A lot for us. The water level . We didn't know. There were quite a number of sporty, butt clencher rocky, tricky rapids. But we made it. If the water level and cfs were lower, it would actually have been worse. Getting out and dragging all the time on slippery rocks. Regardless, we caught so many fish. Lost just as many. Topwater action on fire. This stream just has so many personalities/characteristics its not funny. And fish. It's just different than Missouri. Part of it, I think, is the structure of the bottom, rocks and more rocks and slab rocks. They don't have the moveable gravel and mud that Missouri does. Whatever. Our Sunday plans amounted to packing up and leaving. F***!  Rain. And more rain. Which turned out to be the right call, since the stream rose 6 feet. 

Some pix, Great trip. We caught so many fish Saturday, especially on top .

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[joeD]

[Guest]

Deleted.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Those are nice ones, Joe!!!

[Gavin]

Awesome! Good for you!

 

[joeD]

Shuttle was $10.  Friday wasn’t charged. Just a tip for the driver. Who is the owner and very helpful.