Henry's Fork Day 2012

Ranking as one of our most fun excursions since moving west, 

Bucky and I are still recovering from our amazing trip to the Henry's Fork last weekend. 

After taking Friday off of work to fish the lower Henry's, 

we met up and camped with a friend and his fiance Bucky 

had met through an online bamboo rod forum.  

(yes, my husband meets friends on the internet and yes, I packed bear spray). 

Reading Bossypants drinking a Belgo

New nerd socks and wading shoes,
"I don't care, they keep the rocks out"

It was not long after meeting Gary and Lo that I hoped our trip to 

Island Park for Henry's Fork Day would become and annual tradition. 

We camped near a cliff overlooking Box Canyon and stayed 

up late fireside discussing music, moose attacks, and antique ring settings. 

Apparently, "there is NO guarantee of your safety while hiking or camping in bear country", 

but the view of Box Canyon is worth the risk.

Our camp side overlook

Bear Friendly

Watching a Harrop fly tying demo

Saturday was beautiful as we walked the ranch, stopping to look for risers. 

I had my second Henry's Fork trout eat my fly (Buck reports this is one of the most technical fly fishing spots in the world, maybe just to salvage my ego) but I was too surprised to set the hook.

Sunday was windy but the wind kept us guarded as we cast to rising fish
during a plentiful PMD hatch

Henry's Fork Rainbow

The bamboo rod gathering was held at the Harriman Ranch where we were fortunate to meet one of the guest speakers who we both look up to for his environmentalist work and his contribution of the R4 to my winter wardrobe  (possibly the only reason I am able to manage the cold) 

Owner of Patagonia, Mr. Yvon Choiunard  

After casting a variety of bamboo rods, Bucky started making his Christmas list...

 and I proposed we start playing the lottery.

The weekend was a success and even though we did not get the best sleep 

(one morning Buck rolled over and said "Now I know what you will look like when you're 50), 

it was well worth the years we aged as we have already planned to return next year. 

Our friend Gary shared these beautiful photos from the weekend; the sunsets here are amazing:

Happy Birthday Meg Wegs

Happy birthday to the my sister and best friend

I admire your faith, your courage to seek His will, and the way you love others.

I am thankful for the endless hours you have listened and offered me guidance

Thank you for supporting me in my relationships

Thank you for investing in me when I stopped investing in myself

Thank you for "Just Dance" (ing) with me

Most of all, thank you for loving me with a selfless, generous, and patient heart. There are no words to describe how grateful I am for our relationship and for your life. 

I love you and "Memow"

Reservation Reprieve

When Bucky lived here the summer before we got married, he would call me everyday after work on his way to "the res". He described the diverse wildlife, emphasizing the beauty of the res and the sanctuary it offered as he coped with the stress of the Bar Exam. I was surprised to hear it was one of his top 3 places to fish (ever) and I doubted it could live up to the hype. 

But, when I visited that summer and floated Spring Creek, I started to understand what drew him here so often. Secluded with the sounds of the sandhill cranes, grasshoppers, and an occasional splash from a defensive beaver, you feel alone in a peaceful way. 

Drifting down the clear creek with the vegetation swaying beneath, watching large trout spook from beneath the weed beds as you pass, simultaneously warmed by the sun on your hair and cooled by the water on your legs, finishing the day with a sunset that is never the same twice... I don't know any other way to describe it other than majestic. In the past, I struggled with resentment towards the res for monopolizing Buck's free time but have come to appreciate the res as a personal reprieve after a long day of work. 

waiting for the hatch