When Risks Don't Pay Off

I set out to catch a brown trout on a big river that sees moderate pressure but is still relatively quiet compared to other local year round rivers. It has some difficult access and really only one or two easy access areas. I normally am cautious because of some past injuries but yesterday I was feeling a bit careless.

I know for a fact that I shouldn't have climbed down here by myself. No ankle breakers or anything, but had a heck of a time getting out in studded wading boots.
http://personal.skyphix.com/gallery/...1/IMGP1606.JPG

So I went to one of the easy access areas, having had my share of bear crawling and sliding for the day...

http://personal.skyphix.com/gallery/...1/IMGP1605.JPG

Lesson learned: Check the easy spots first. :oops:

But then there are the times it does. One of my favorite sections of small water has access like that. I have a 50ft section of rope with me when I fish it as the last 40ft are damn near vertical.
But it's worth it to me...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...8-10-14003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...8-10-14005.jpg
There are lot's of these
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...8-09-16002.jpg

Nice spot and fish! I probably should start carrying some rope to help get up grades like that.

I was hoping for a big brown at the bottom of that climb but the water was high and when it was low, it looked more like brookie water. I'm ok with those too. :D

Yeah, I've had that same hope a time or five! The section I fish has a (VERY) relatively easy access point about 1.5 mi upstream, so it's easy to use the rope to drop IN and fish upriver, not out. I have tried to fish downstream here and it just doesn't work. The fish are too spooky. Getting out would require more strategic planning ( ergo an easy access out ) unless you hike the distance downstream and not fish :roll: to leave at the same point you access. From your photo, it looks like a hearty descent, or climb, none the less.

It sounds like this river is easier to fish than your stream! This river is difficult to wade because its large and is comprised mostly of slides, drops, and basketball sized boulders but there is usually decent shore or close to shore wading to get from spot to spot.

The hill wasn't so much sheer as it was steep and slick from leaves. The sheer face at the top was the easy part!

Last time I came, with a friend, he caught a nice 16" brown from the same spot I caught the brookie. I'll be back to fight another day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skyphix

I probably should start carrying some rope to help get up grades like that.

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You know, that is a great idea. I think I am going to search out a length of large cord to do just that. I am going to be doing some backpacking by myself and it sure wouldn't hurt to carry it and not use it. I would hate to not have it and need it.

Thanks for the tip and thanks for visiting.