Figure I should post here too...
Hooked up with some new friends Friday then met up with a couple of his friends then headed north to meet up my brother-in-laws family. We had a convoy headed north destination Monache Meadows. After a few mis-steps we found a camp site at Mahogany creek and set up. We ate, drank and told stories around the camp fire while listening to the satellite radio.
I awoke to a loud THUD! It sounded like somebody threw a chunk of fire wood up in the air and it landed by our tent. I got up to investigate and found this little bastard chewing pine cones off the tree near our tent.
Squirrels are evil.
My new pal Mick stopped by to check out my fly gear and gave me a lesson in fly casting before we cut out to Monache Meadows. Killer drive in, tons of four wheeling fun. Nothing too technical for the Toyotas but my bro’s full size crew cab chevy diesel couldn’t choose his lines because the thing is like 30 feet long. It was fun watching him slalom his way through the trees.
Monache Meadows photos
The Crew
We had some lunch and since I was skunked on the UL gear throwing panther martins and super dupers I decided to split up with Paul and crew and go with Mick to accomplish my goal of catching a fish on the fly. The wife and I also wanted to follow my bro back out just in case there were any problems. We said our goodbyes and headed to the other end of the meadows.
Popped my fly fishing cherry and I’ll never bring any other gear up there again. Top water bassing “ain’t got nuttin” on putting your fly just where you want it and watching the trout hammer it.
I had Mick coaching me and actually had to take a 30-40 second time out to calm down after my first fish and let the adrenalin shakes subside. This was some of the most exciting fishing I’ve ever done! Being a total noob and having somebody with so much experience walk me through the motions step by step was awesome!
In an hour or so of fishing I had around 13-15 hits or rises and caught five. Two browns and three golden trout. Watching Mick do his thing was great to. After watching such a skilled angler I can see why people think fly fishing is an art. It’s not an art, it’s a skill to be learned through practice and patients. And remaining calm and not setting the hook like bass or kelp fishing, which I did a few times and popped one off. Oppsie.
Proof
Me hooked up
Brown Trout
Golden Trout
I’ll tell you what is an art though, fly tying. Mick hooked me up with several patterns he tied and they are works of art. I can’t wait to use them.
New friends, new fish species, new convert to fly fishing and a hell of a good time.
Nine Mile Canyon
Moose
Monache Meadows and my first fish on the fly 
the last golden I hooked was the size of a nice 'dine. Made me wonder too. 
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