Stream Fishing

One of Ken's true loves is stream fishing.  Since he and I have been together, he has not gone once, but I have heard all of the stories.  I can also now attest that the stories are true - Ken is a master of the fishing!


I knew that Ken had not gone fishing because #1 - he hates to be away from me and #2 - he knows that I'm not in the best shape for all of the outdoorsy stuff that he loves to do.  Since I've been cleared by the doctor, I have been trying to get to the gym more, but I finally said enough of him having to wait, and we made the plans to head to the Sierras for a weekend of fishing.


There was no way that I was really wanting to camp, but Ken knew about Glacier Lodge, and we  were able to get the Internet Special for rates.  We left after dropping off the girls to their dad, so we were on the road until late into the night.  We didn't arrive to the Lodge until 10 pm.  The cabin looked really small from the outside, so we were totally surprised when we got inside and found how spacious it was.

I loved the "nighttime" reading of Human Fertility and Population Problems.  Hahahahaha!

The weather was really cool at night, so we had to turn on the furnace, but we slept really well until morning.  Then, we saw our surroundings!  Oh my - it was beautiful there.  Ken knew roughly what to expect from all of his trips to Big Pine, but I had never been here before, and I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was.  I was initially bummed that I hadn't take my large Nikon for pictures, but my little Coolpix got some great shots.

We checked once we were awake, and then we headed out for some fishing.  I could not believe how beautiful and serene it was here.   The first thing I did was grab some pictures before we started hiking around.

Ken and I walked out near the bridge.  He was wonderful and helped me when I needed it.  Ken took the time to go over the "how-tos" again for me.  He watched me tie the hook on and then get the salmon eggs on the hook points.  Ken spent a few minutes trying to show me where he could see the fish, but they blended into the surroundings, so I wasn't able to make them out.  Since I couldn't "see" the fish, Ken went over the various places that the fish would likely be hiding out since they're usually lazy.  He showed me the one spot again, and I got my hook into that area.  Within 5 minutes, I hooked a big fish.  Ken was completely proud of me, but I still remind him that all I did was follow his directions.

My first stream fish!!

When there weren't any other bites, Ken started walking downstream.  He kept talking to me and showing me where to look, how to be careful not to snag, how to undo my line when I snagged, etc.  As we walked, I loved watching Ken get all excited about being in the stream.  He was so comfortable here, and he completely lost himself in walking around and trying to get the fish.  Whether or not he caught fish really didn't bother him or impact him - he just loved being in the stream.

Ken is on the left of the picture.

Within a few minutes of moving, however, Ken caught his first fish.  Then a second and then a third.  

We walked around the stream for about four hours.  I caught two fish and Ken caught about 20, but he only kept the larger three.   I started to get really frustrated because I kept snagging my line and breaking off my leader line.  I very quickly determined that making the blood knot - to the point that I refused to make it after a while and didn't care if the fish saw the 4 pound line or not.  I'm sure that has everything to do with why I only caught two fish there.    


Ken and I hadn't packed a lunch, so we headed back to the cabin.  We made sandwiches and then took me over to the cleaning area to show me how to clean fish.  Um, yeah, I made no attempt to help.  I have had very few moments where my stomach couldn't handle the situation.  I have seen body parts ripped off of people, I have seen accidents that resulted in fatalities, and I can even help the girls after the throw up.  However, I drew the line at cleaning the fish.  Yuck!

This was my first fish - the biggest one of the morning.

 After we ate and got the fish in the refrigerator, we set off in the truck to find a different spot. Ken was busy showing me a bunch of different places off the side of the road, but we kept driving.  We got to the base of the mountain, and Ken found a section of the stream that was slower and had a small pool area.


Once we got down there, Ken was kind enough to tie the blood knot for me so I would have the 2 pound leader line.  I stayed at the truck in order to tie on my hook in more comfort and then I climbed down to do some fishing with Ken.

I did much better here than in the active stream.  I wasn't having to climb on or around rocks or deal with tree branches and other things that would snag my line.  I could also make out the fish in the water which totally excited me.  It was here that I caught another three fish!

We had to stop into town since I forgot my contact lens solution, and then Ken mentioned that President Teddy Roosevelt had planted a tree.  I asked to see it, so we drove over.


It was really cool to see this "historical point of interest" in the middle of nowhere.  I wandered around and read the signs and then I made Ken take my picture on the sign.

The tree is HUGE!

I mean HUGE!

We tried to fish one other area, but we didn't get any bites and it was getting late quickly.  Ken and I got back to the cabin and started the fire for supper.  Ken made the most AMAZING supper with our fish and some items we brought up.  The supper was so delish and I loved being outside with him watching him work and get everything prepared.  Ken just loved that I was there with him, and I so enjoy seeing him really be "him."

We settled in for the evening and got to bed late after supper.  Since there was no TV or anything else, we just totally got to be absorbed by each other.  The night was beautiful, stars were shining, crickets were making noise and Ken's favorite - listening to the stream!


Ken and I woke up a bit late on Sunday.  We went and made sure we got breakfast going, and Kathy was wonderful enough to not only cook it for us, but she delivered it to the cabin so we could focus on packing.  After breakfast, we made sure that we had everything loaded up and we checked out.  


There was no way that we were going to leave without doing some more fishing.  I again got frustrated because I kept getting snagged.  I stopped fishing and spent the time watching Ken.  It is so great for me to see him loving something so whole-heartedly!  I felt bad that it took me so long to get him out here, but I was so grateful that we were finally there.  Ken walked over a log "bridge" and kept trying to get fish, but he was only able to get one.  


After about an hour, he finally decided that he was done.  He wanted me to try again, so we stopped at the spot at the base of the mountain again, and I was able to catch two more fish - one of which was humongous - and I was so proud of myself because I caught these fish while Ken was cleaning his and then looking for a great spot for himself.  

This was the monster that I caught by myself.  I love how proud Ken was/is of me!

Ken was very proud of me, and he is completely excited that I had a great time.  I'm hoping that we will be able to get back to Big Pine in the Spring so Ken can have more fun.  Hopefully, we'll be able to take the girls and teach them.