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Fishing The Henrys Fork....Bobs Secret Hole...
Meanwhile back at the Yurt... Having been humbled by "Hank's" famous trout, it was time for a little change of scenery. My little girl, and kids in general, don't seem to understand catch and release. Granted, I really hadn't caught anything to release,(except that seven.. err.. "FIFTEEN INCHER") it was still hard to return to the yurt and explain my lack of fishing success. She would greet me with her big "daddy can do no wrong" eyes, and expect me to tell her of the "whopper" that got away.Especially since she is used to fishing success, since most of her fish are caught in Grandpa's Pond, where it is basically a "live well" ready to pull out the catch of the day on a moments notice. So, when daddy comes home with no fish or no fish story, you can see the "daddy just dropped a peg" look on her face. BUT-kids being kids, she is ready to go on to the next thing, and that meant a bike ride through the state park to the old Harriman Ranch. We rode the mile or so to the old historical buildings that sit on the grounds of the state park. The ranch was "one" of the summer homes of E.H. Harriman, of Union Pacific Railroad fame,and is operated as a wildlife sanctuary now. The bike ride goes along the Henry's Fork and while my daughter was chattering away whle pedaling along, I kept glancing to see if any fish were rising. Old habits are hard to break. We got off our bikes and started to explore the buildings. Unfortunately, this being a weekday, they didn't have many of the buildings open so we couldn't go inside. One of the groundskeepers saw us peering through the windows of the buildings and wandered over on his riding lawn mower. He shut off the engine and gave us the rundown on the buildings and told us a little background on the ranch. He mentioned that if we were still there on Friday, they would be opening the buildings and doing some tours. Now, being a groundskeeper in a state park in Last Chance Idaho must not be one of the most high pressured jobs one can be employed in--because "Bob"--was a chatty fellow. You might be wondering how I knew his name was Bob?--Well, I of course read it on his name badge! A.J. Klott--private eye!!! Anyway, "Bob", was filled with questions. Where were we from? How long were we staying? What were my views on existentialism? O.K.-- the last one he didn't ask--but if he did- I wouldn't have been surprised,because a guy can do a lot of thinking on the back of a riding mower. But I digress once more. So, the conversation eventually turned to fishing the Henry's Fork. I of course asked how the fishing was on the ranch here, and "Bob" proceeded to tell me that he did most of his fishing above the reservoir in the "anything goes-six fish limit section". He then did something that you would expect from a guy on the back of a riding mower in Last Chance Idaho. He offered up his "SECRET FISHING HOLE". Maybe it was the look of undernourishment my daughter had, or maybe he just thought I was a "friendly sort"-- but nonetheless-- "Bob" was ready to unlock the key to Henry's Fork. He told me he didn't usually do this, but he just thought that I looked like a guy that would appreciate his "Secret Spot". AND if you think I am going to breach "Bobs" trust by telling you where this spot is, well you are wrong!! What I will tell you is "Bob" went to great lengths to hand draw me a personal map--kind of like a Henry's Fork treasure map-- right on my brochure to the ranch grounds. He also gave me detailed instructions--like: "turn left at the Phillips 66, drive down to @#%$^* road, make a right and go EXACTLY 3.3 miles, make another right, drive down as far as you can go, hike on down to the river, walk downstream to the BIG ROCK, toss your worm or lure or fly behind that rock and I will guarantee you will catch a fish!!" A guarantee! I didn't even get that from any of the fly shops!! "Bob" was pretty sure of himself, and I looked his map over carefully and contemplated eating the brochure, just to make sure that only "Bob" and I would be the two individuals in the lower 48 that held the whereabouts of the "Secret Spot". I asked if "Bob" needed a blood oath or if he had noticed any of Ashcroft's men in the area-- because I didn't even want the government to know about this spot. None of this seemed to worry "Bob" and I don't really like the taste of 20# bond--so I stuck the brochure in my back pocket, and told "Bob" I would try the secret spot that evening and bring him a full report by weeks end.I also told him not to worry about "divulgeing" the whereabouts of the "Secret Spot", because this was my first time to fish the Henry's Fork, and I wasn't about to go back and "squeal like a canary" back in Southern Oregon. Luckily, my daughter was busy chasing butterflies while all this was going on, or I would have had to send her to one of those "brainwashing" places so she would have no recollection of the "Secret Spot". "Bob" also told us about the springs where the Henry's Fork originates and that it was a nice place to visit and see big fish and an old cabin right where the water boils out of the ground. That was public knowledge. Before long we were off to the springs and I was planning my evenings fishing...at "Bob's Secret Hole". The afternoon was pleasant and the springs were enjoyable, but I was really getting excited to go fishing. Of course, seeing the 25 inch rainbows lying beneath the gin clear waters at the springs, didn't help to quell my excitement. By 7:30 I could not wait any longer. I pulled my personal map out and headed for the "Secret Spot". I followed the map to the "T" and made sure nobody was tailing me. You can't be to careful with "Secret Spots". When I went exactly 3.3 miles from the turn--there it was-- the dirt road that turned towards the river. I had my wife and daughter with me, and fought off the urge to blindfold them, figuring that after twenty-six years of marriage and having the "fruit of my loins" in the back seat, if I couldn't trust them--who could I trust? Anticipation was great. I saw the end of the dirt road coming and the little parking area "Bob" had described.I pulled to a stop and.............. ............saw three other cars in the "Secret Spot"!! "This can't be." I said. "This is 'Bobs Secret Hole',--maybe "Bob" is here?" I got my waders on quickly and headed down the trail to the river. Everything was exactly as "Bob" had described it so I knew I was in the right spot. When I got to the river, it looked great--definitely a "fishy looking place". I walked on down to the trail and saw the BIG ROCK-- and behind it.... three other fishermen!! Of which, none were "Bob". In "Bob's Secret Hole". OR should I say "NOT SO SECRET HOLE!!" I looked back upstream and saw four more fishermen in other spots. Counting me, that made eight people in this "Secret Spot", and before I could even wet a line another two showed up. That totals ten, for those of you keeping track on your "Secret Spot" tote board!! I fished up and down and for two hours and never touched a fish--even behind the BIG ROCK--and I never saw anybody else touch a fish either! That includes the guys using bait and lures.I even waited until I was the last guy on the river--but to no avail. What happens when you get a guarantee from a groundskeeper named "Bob" and it doesn't come through?? Well, you do what I do. Pack up and head for Montana!! But not before using that map to "Bob's Secret Hole" to start the evenings fire!! In hindsight, I learned alot about the Henry's Fork. It is a beautiful place to fish, as tough a place to catch a fish on a fly as advertised, that bringing hamburger meat is a necessity,and that I fully expect to go back and fish it again. Maybe this fall.I also learned that guys on the back of riding lawnmowers don't typically get paid to guide you to the big fish, and even though I am sure "Bob" catches some fish there, I think when I go back.... I'll just let "Bob" have that "Secret Spot" to himself. He and the other nine fishermen.... A.J. KlottAuthor, writer of fishing humor,and "fly tack" peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and modern day events that surround the fishing world. His first book is due out in December of 2005.If you need a laugh or a fun gift, visit his website at:http://www.twoguyswithflys.com
Latest News:Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for news News Corp. says Mark Williams interim Premiere CEO (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Mark Williams, a News Corp. executive named late on Wednesday as chief executive of German pay-TV broadcaster Premiere, has taken over in an interim capacity, a News Corp. spokeswoman said on Thursday. News Corp exec becomes chief of Germany's Premiere (Reuters via Yahoo! News) News Corp's chief financial officer for Europe and Asia has been named chief executive of German pay television group Premiere, following the resignation of Michael Boernicke, Premiere said on Wednesday. Premiere CEO Is Replaced by News Corp.'s Williams (Update2) (Bloomberg.com) Sept. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Premiere AG , the German pay- television company partly owned by News Corp., said Chief Executive Officer Michael Boernicke is being replaced by a senior News Corp. executive. News Corporation to redevelop London Wapping site (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is to redevelop its Wapping site in London, moving all its UK businesses, including News International, Harper Collins, MySpace and Dow Jones, under one roof. DeJesus, Royals sad at Sweeney news (MLB.com) DeJesus, Royals sad at Sweeney news Phila. mayor to announce grim budget news (Philly.com) The Nutter administration is expected to announce grim budget news today, which is all but certain to lead to significant spending cuts - perhaps as high as 10 percent - in some city departments, according to three sources familiar with the budget. Tribune blames Google for damaging news story (Market Watch) SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Tribune Co. said Wednesday that the mistaken online publishing of an old news story that cratered UAL Corp.'s stock price earlier this week was because of a repeated technology failure at Google Inc. Get the latest news in racing (Daily Racing Form) In order to read Daily Racing Form's free daily news stories it is required that you have a DRF.com free membership. If you do not have a DRF.com free membership, please register here . You will NOT need to be logged in to read each day's free news stories. UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News (UPI) Chesney nominated for 7 CMAs ... Hoffman: I'm not playing Penguin ... 'RocknRolla' No. 1 at U.K. box office ... Jessica Simpson stops song on 'GMA' ... News from United Press International. Kyodo News agency says three inmates executed (AP via Yahoo! Malaysia News) Kyodo News agency says three death-row inmates have been executed in Japan. Site: news - Google News Amid Gaza violence, a new task for Obama - USA Today
MORE RESOURCES: Site: Yahoo! News Search Results for fishing Fly-fishing for these salmon is simple, fun (Detroit Free Press) SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario -- Going after pink salmon is perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to catch salmon on a fly rod. The techniques are so simple and so much fun that they should call this Salmon Fishing 101. INSIDE THE OUTDOORS: Fishing by the numbers? Try a 7 (Detroit Free Press) My standard fly-fishing tackle for chinook salmon and steelhead used to be a nine-foot, eight-weight rod with a traditional floating line. But for pink salmon I've sometimes used a six-weight trout rod for fish that run two to five pounds. They're considerably stronger than trout of the same size, so using a six-weight really revs up the sporting factor with these fish. Fishing report: Sept. 11 (The Tennessean) FISHING REPORT South Florida fishing report (Miami Herald) With water levels more than 15 feet in Lake Okeechobee, Howard Kleeman of Slims Fishing Camp in Clewiston reported that largemouth bass are scattered and moving further up into the grassy areas, where they have not been able to get in years. . . . Largemouth bass are being caught in the Moon Shine Bay area, Pelican Bay and the west side of Red Island. The bass are eating swimming frogs, shiners, ... Fishing derby designed to promote sport of fishing to kids - and parents, too (Morris Daily Herald) The third annual Just 4 Kids Fishing Derby is just as much for the parents as for the kids, Troop 471 leader and derby organizer Dana Morse said. Pittsburgh hooks big-money fishing tournament (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Pittsburgh will host another big money fishing event on the Three Rivers in July and August, 2009, with $1 million guaranteed to the winner. Fishing report: Sept. 11 (The Longview News-Journal) AUSTIN (AP) ? Here is the weekly fishing report as compiled for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for Sept. 10. (Report also available on Web as www.txfishing.com.) Of the Outdoors ? Jig Fishing: The Ultimate Catching Tool (Yankton Press & Dakotan) With all of the traveling I do, I have the opportunity to talk with a lot of anglers. At a recent in store promotion, I was talking with a group of fishermen talking about different fishing techniques. Boy Scouts set to host fishing derby Sept. 13 (Morris Daily Herald) Morris Boy Scout Troop 471 will host its free Just 4 Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris. PHOTO GALLERY: Fishing Rodeo in Fairview Heights (St. Clair County Journal) The pond at Everett Moody Park in Fairview Heights was the place to be for young anglers on Aug. 30 as Elk?s Lodge 664 and Mayor Gail D. Mitchell sponsored the 16th annual Kid?s Fishing Rodeo. Site: fishing - Google News Fishing/hunting report - San Diego Union Tribune
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