Day 5: Now This Trip Really Begins

I slept in the Forks Campground listening to the rain all night.  And I decided that I would spend the entire day fishing the East Fork of the Jarbidge river until I landed and photographed a Redband Trout.  Today I used my microwave for the first time on this trip.  Two cups of water were quickly heated.  One for two packets of oatmeal and one for my fake mocha: instant coffee and two packs of low carb chocolate powder.  I felt great after the meal. (So great I forgot to take a picture LOL)

It took me 30 mintues to put on my gear, including donning my new waist high wading pants. I made it down the stairs into the water to start my quest.  My plan was to use this first entrance into the water to get used to wading again, and I would drive along the river jumping in an out until I caught a Redband Trout.

A glide / pool was just below me and I started dapping my hopper-dropper rig from the “waterfall” into the glide.  An errant flip put the flies in slack water close to me when the dry fly went under.  After a furious 15 second battle, delayed because I could not get my net from my back, I landed a 4-5 inch Redband Trout, photographed and everything.  It was a great three minutes fishing. The beautiful fish took the bead body PT nymph dropper fly.

I packed up and headed out towards Montana, my next target.  However, I noticed that the main branch of the Jarbidge River had cleared.  It was a little brown, but visible throughout.  Perhaps the water was clear near the headwaters? AND, the Outdoor Inn was available and I had to have another bacon cheeseburger.  Then, of course, I had to have a slice of homemade Blueberry Pie with ice cream.  I felt like I was in Twin Peaks because the pie was that good.

So, writing this at 1:45, in Jarbidge, I feel like a Ps’y for not at least giving it my all trying for a Bull Trout.  I’m already here, for a second time, and 10 hours from home.  The least I can do is put on my gear, step into the water wherever I can, and try for a Bull Trout.  I’d be disappointed in myself if my fishing in the river lasted only 20 minutes, in one pool, on my first day here.

I headed up to the “headwaters” area of the road only to find that the river above Jarbidge was muddier than down by the Forks. I put on my gear and drove downstream towards town, pulling into every campsite, getting out, and checking the river. Way too muddy to even try fishing. But, perhaps, the water is clear near the Idaho border, and perhaps, some Bull Trout are in the middle of the river? I drove through Jarbidge and checked all the possible roadside areas to fish. I even shimmied down the roadside to the pool I had caught my first fish of the trip. Alas, pure mud.

At the Nevada / Idaho border the river was too muddy to fish. I drove down to the Forks on my way out of the canyon, and the river had muddied up more over the day. My idea of driving back and over the mountain to Mary’s River for Lahontan Trout was quashed as I realized that if the upper reaches of the Jarbidge River were muddy, then Mary’s River was also probably too muddy to fish. It looks like no fish will be caught in Nevada for the Western Native Trout Challenge. But, there are 7 more states to fish and winter will be here way too soon. Time to leave Nevada

I drove out of the canyon and set my Google Maps directions to Butte, Montana. Several hours of driving in the dark, along a 2-lane highway with a 70 mph speed limit, my nerves were shot when I finally made it into Idaho Falls.

I am spending the night, again, at a truck stop, and will head out to Butte Montana tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

Tight Lines!