Hi guys. Just dropping in to see whats up and share why I have been inactive. I have been taking a break from trains and most everything else and have been spending some time fly fishing. Call it a much needed mental health break. The head has been feeling decent this summer so I decided to get back to fly fishing. N Idaho is home to two excellent “Blue Ribbon” Westslope Cutthroat trout rivers; the Coeur d’Alene and the St. Joe. Both are about an hour to an hour and a half from my front door to the upper reaches where the best fishing is. I grew up fishing these rivers and got away from it in favor of chasing pike and bass. But deep down in my soul, fly fishing for trout is what I love to do. It feels good to be back at it.
I have spent several weekends fishing remote stretches of each. Both rivers have sections that venture away from roads. This equates to less pressure and more eager fish. Also about 10 years or so ago, the Idaho Fish and Game set almost all rivers to catch and release for all Cutthroat trout for their entire lengths. They used to only do this in the upper portions. The result is the many more fish are there and many more fish are reaching maturity. I have been averaging fish in the 12-14 inch range and have caught several 16 to 18 inches on both rivers.
In particular I have spent most of my time on a 7 mile stretch of the N Fork of the CDA. There is a 14 mile stretch of river where there is no roads (except the road crosses it once about mid way) and the trail is way up on the hillside. Not many people fish it so the fish are not pressured like they are on lower reaches where the road runs along the river. I have been fishing the lower 7 miles of the 14 mile stretch. On one trip I was with my sister and I remarked at how I can’t believe its possible that I am allowed to live in such a place. Not only is the area full of fish, but it is beautiful as well. And in two trips on this 7 miles of river I saw one other person (not counting my sis). Its amazing that places still exist where you can fish such a quality river, in such a scenic place, by yourself and have it be in your backyard. I am blessed. So I thought I would share and make some of you jealous.
Probably one of the most spectacular parts of this river is the rock bluffs that line the entire canyon. And one formation in particular is just very cool. Cathedral Rocks is about 1/2 mile from the road along the river.
And here is the creek with the same name sake. Its cool because the creek pours over a rock ledge in spills out in various places.
I call this the “Cliff Hole” because it a deep hole with this rock cliff the entire length.
And here is an example of the trout I have been catching.
and one of the best parts is that my best buddy tags along. She loves it and really looks forward to it. She gets excited and has learned what its all about. She will sit up in the bushes and watch me while I fish and then when I catcha fish she runs down and “helps” me reel it in. She is a trooper and will walk the entire river with me.
