Bwag
07-25-2022, 07:57 PM
Met a retired doctor swinging a riffle with a single hand line years ago whose heart is big, he opened my world to the lower Klamath, has given me access to launch my sled and a place to park my camper, I’ve not taken it for granted. He’s introduced me to Native Americans of the Yurok tribe, they too have opened their world, some perhaps not the first or second time we met but eventually they have. I have made it a habit to leave with less than I came, whether it’s batteries, zip loc bags or gas, I give what I have to those I’ve met, that said, they have given me a lifetime’s worth of salmon. It’s not lost on me the history of that river or the land upon its banks, to some it’s ours to me it’s theirs. Hard to believe the lower reservation just got power a few years ago and the internet last year.
Typically I don’t go in July, but I needed time on the water. Found fish, holding in cool, deep water, not blue creek. Ran my sled down river to get a sink tip and my motor died. First thought, “thank god I’m upriver from camp”. Floated my way down river and anchored in a place I could trailer my sled. Walked a bit back to camp, and connected with a Yurok who spent the rest of his day working on my problem to no avail. In the shop it goes tomorrow. I work a job that has absolutely soured me on the human race, I’ve fought it back over time, I recognize it for what it is, yet them demons still exist. My dog and the Klamath have been my salvation through it all. I suppose more so the fish has, for I’ve chased it all over Northern California and Southern Oregon. Ducks too, but this is the salmon/steelhead forum… whether I’ve met you or not, odds are there’s a chance we’ve crossed paths on the water or road if you chase steelhead up north on big or small water. One has no idea what a nod or wave means. To me, a lot. At the end of it all I’ve got my dad to thank for lighting my fire. I could not imagine having not stepped back into them rivers 11 years ago to chase a fish I did as a young kid. Perhaps my wife may be a little less stressed and my girls maybe missed me a little less but it has healed a lot of wounds, more than she or they will ever know. Thankful for those I’ve met on this ride. Thankful for the life I get to chase!
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Typically I don’t go in July, but I needed time on the water. Found fish, holding in cool, deep water, not blue creek. Ran my sled down river to get a sink tip and my motor died. First thought, “thank god I’m upriver from camp”. Floated my way down river and anchored in a place I could trailer my sled. Walked a bit back to camp, and connected with a Yurok who spent the rest of his day working on my problem to no avail. In the shop it goes tomorrow. I work a job that has absolutely soured me on the human race, I’ve fought it back over time, I recognize it for what it is, yet them demons still exist. My dog and the Klamath have been my salvation through it all. I suppose more so the fish has, for I’ve chased it all over Northern California and Southern Oregon. Ducks too, but this is the salmon/steelhead forum… whether I’ve met you or not, odds are there’s a chance we’ve crossed paths on the water or road if you chase steelhead up north on big or small water. One has no idea what a nod or wave means. To me, a lot. At the end of it all I’ve got my dad to thank for lighting my fire. I could not imagine having not stepped back into them rivers 11 years ago to chase a fish I did as a young kid. Perhaps my wife may be a little less stressed and my girls maybe missed me a little less but it has healed a lot of wounds, more than she or they will ever know. Thankful for those I’ve met on this ride. Thankful for the life I get to chase!
182421824318244