EclecticGuy

After months of planning, scheming, planning some more, fly tying and rod building, the week of the Great Green River Expedition 2007 finally happened!

How It All Started

My fishing pal, Walker, moved to MA from New Mexico – where he fished the west with his friend Mike. Mike & Walker had fished the Green River in Utah several times and Mike was planning a get together to coincide with the end of the Blue Wing Olive hatch and the start of the Cicada season. Walker did not have to ask twice if I was interested! The plan was hatched and we were soon coordinating via email with Mike’s college friend Tom, brother Brian and grade school friend Chuck and his friend Eric. 

First we picked a week – May 5th to 12th was the winner, not too early and not too late. Then there was the planning to get us all to the Dripping Springs camp ground at the same time! Walker and I could fly together in to Salt Lake City. Tom planned to meet us there so we could make the 3+ hour drive to the campground together. Brian had driven in from Denver the night before and Mike drove up from Albuquerque. (Chuck and Eric would join us later in the week from Streamboat Springs).

Day 1 – The Rendezvous

Saturday, May 5th

The plan went off without a hitch, well almost! The flight from Manchester, NH to Salt Lake City went quickly when the time for the Great Departure finally arrived. My duffle was stuffed to capacity with camping and fishing gear. It was a bear to lug around. 

Salt Lake City was overcast and rainy when we arrived. Walker and I picked up the rental car – a rather smallish looking Ford Taurus. I wasn’t sure we would get all our gear in there, not to mention Tom’s! We had a short wait in the SLC airport’s cool passenger arrival waiting area. Tom’s flight arrived on schedule and we met him on the curb. His bags (and box) just squeezed in to the trunk and back seat. One of us got a call from Mike, he was still on the road several hours from the campground. His brother Brian had arrived on Friday and reported that it was snowing and a foot of snow was expected!

On the drive out of SLC we needed to 1) grab lunch, 2) shop for food, and 3) hit the REI for last minute gear. We grabbed some burgers at Sonic and hit Walmart for groceries. Each of us were responsible for a dinner for the group. We finally found the REI after floundering around for a while. With bellies full, groceries procured and sundries purchased, we headed east on I80 towards Flaming Gorge and the Green River.

Mike gave us another call on the drive in to report that the northern route down from I80 on US191 was closed due to snow. Luckily we had printed directions for both the northern and southern routes. We got yet another call just as we pulled in to Dutch John. Mike and Brian were at Trout Creek Flies and we planned to meet there. We made our introductions and bought a few flies at the shop. We then headed down the road to grab a hot meal to get the week off to a good start (and to stay warm).

We finally pulled in to the campground before dark and, sure enough, there was about a foot of snow on the ground. The campground and the surrounding area had been ravished by a forest fire several years ago and the landscape was like something from another planet. The trees stood like skeletons – sun bleached and blackened from the fire – surrounding the campsite. With the trees standing guard, we set the tent up as the temperature dropped. After dinner, we all hit the sack in anticipation of hitting the river early.

Day 2 – First Fish

Sunday, May 6th

We awoke Sunday morning to cold and sputtering rain/snow/sleet. The coffee tasted great – even if I did create a mini Mount Vesuvius with my Jet Boil and coffee press! A quick breakfast was followed by final packing and preparations for a day on the water. The plan was to fish the “A” section from the Little Hole access.

The Little Hole access area was a short drive from the campground. The surrounding mountains were covered with snow but our spirits were high with anticipation of wetting a fly.

Mike was armed with his new rod made by his father-in-law, Tom and I each had new rods that I made for the trip. We were all looking forward to our first fish!

With the cold temperatures, clouds and rain/snow, we heeded the advice of the River Gurus – “when in doubt, fish a streamer”.

I tied on a Goldilox Wooly Bugger that I picked up at the shop and started fishing a clear pool. Within a minute, I had a fish on – a nice Cutbow (Rainbow/Cutthroat hybrid). The water was icy cold on my fingers as I gently released my first back in to the Green River.

Even in the snow and rain, the Green is a beautiful river. It flows cold all year long. The water was clear and the fish could be easily spotted in their holds. Not much need for prospecting!

Tom hooked his first fish and there were more to come.

We continued to work our way up stream throughout the day. Not too many people were on the river – probably scared off by the weather. I switched over to a twin biot tail Wooly Bugger pattern that I had tied for the occasion. Mike snapped this photo of me with a nice Brown that I caught with it.

More Browns, Rainbows and Cutbows followed.

To say it was cold is an understatement! Here’s Walker in the biting rain.

Around noon, we came to a large pool with trout rising to a Blue Wing Olive hatch. Tying on a size 22 BWO on to a 7X tippet with frozen fingers is a real bear! But the fish were rising, so sacrifices must be made. The BWO pattern that Walker and I tied a month prior worked like a charm. 

I brought 5 trout to hand during the hatch. After 3 fish, a nice brown had mangled my fly – the hackle was untwisting. My hands were too cold to tie on another fly so I clipped the hackle off and kept fishing with the modified BWO. I couldn’t believe it when I had a fish on the 2nd cast! Damned cold hands.

Satisfied with a great first day and shivering from the cold and rain and snow, we headed back down stream to the cars. The trip back to camp went quickly and Brian warmed us up with his chili! It hit the spot and so did the brownies.

Day 3 – Not so Easy

Monday, May 7th

With the bright sun and warming temperatures, the fishing was a bit tougher. Blue Wing Olives hatch on overcast days, so no go there. The snow and cold had knocked down the famous Green River Cicada hatch, so that was not happening either. Overall, it was a tough day of nymphing, midging and trying various drys.

We went much further up stream to a beautiful large pool that looked like an aquarium loaded with trout. At the end of the day I tallied 3 fish for a day’s work.

After brats, sausages, beans and a cold beer for dinner, it was time for bed!

Day 4 – Cicadas!

Tuesday, May 8th

Our 3rd day on the river was another bright, sunny and warm one. With a couple of good warm days, the Cicadas were starting to appear. Again we fished the “A” section as the temperature rose throughout the day. I mostly fished a Cicada pattern with a nymph or midge dropper. The fishing was fun but the wind made casting a challenge. Sighting fish was also a bit tricky with the wind and waves. Back at camp, Walker reported having a great day with ants – even though he was getting some nasty blisters on his feet.

Back at camp, I made spaghetti with a side of corn for dinner. Lemon cake rounded out the meal.

Day 5 – Cicadas and Ants!

Wednesday, May 9th

During breakfast, we discussed the day’s plans as Brian packed to leave. We decided to try the downstream, or “B” section from Little Hole. It was going to be another scorcher. Mike, Walker and I tied some ant patterns in anticipation of a repeat of Walker’s experience the day before.

We hoofed it up and over a hill as we headed downstream to an island that Mike reported. Walker decided to pack his gear in so could save wear and tear on his blistered feet. 

The river in this section is much wider and slower with fewer riffles and pocket water. But the tall grass on both banks inspired thoughts of Cicada fishing.

We finally reached the island and split in to 2 teams. Walker and I prowled the near branch and Mike and Tom the other side. The water seemed perfect for holding trout but none were sighted. Prospecting with a Cicada trailing a dropper or ant yielded nothing on either side of the island. Here’s Mike and Walker gearing up – taken from the island.

When we rejoined, we made a command decision to high tail it out of there and back to the known water in the “A” section. After a quick stop at the car to cool off, re-hydrate and eat, we headed back up stream to favorite holding water in the “A” section. “Plan B” worked well, as we immediately got in to fish. Ants were working well – especially when trailed behind a Cicada. Maybe the Cicada “plop” attracted the fish and the ant whetted their appetites?

Walker made beef stew for dinner – yum, yum!

Day 6 – Wild and Hot!

Thursday, May 10th

Thursday promised to be a scorcher. The sun was already hot in the early morning. No signs of clouds all day. Mike’s friend Chuck was to arrive later in the day with Eric and a drift boat. Mike and Eric were going to fish from the boat in the afternoon. Mike and Tm headed off to fish the far bank in the morning and had a great day. Walker and I made our way slowly up stream, stopping at prime pocket water to catch a trout here and there. 

It was a great day of fishing. Cicadas drew plenty of attention but the trout were not easily fooled. They would follow the fly down stream and scrutinize it. If they were still not convinced, they would mouth the flies and then let it slip out. Smart fish!

During the day, we stopped to appreciate the flora and fauna.

Back at camp, we were joined by Chuck and Eric and had brats for dinner. 3 young firemen/EMTs up from SLC for a couple of days of floating were camped across the road. They came over and kept us entertained for a few hours. It turned out to be a late night.

Day 7 – Sleep for Me

Friday, May 11th

I got up on Friday completely wiped out – probably from the late night and a bit too much imbibing. I decided to get a few more hours of sleep while the guys headed out to fish. When I got up at 11, I had stomach cramps and really did not feel comfortable getting in to waders. So I took my time packing things up and drove down to Little Hole to wait for the crew. I did walk along the trail a bit – but not too far from the privy. 

When Tom and Walker showed up, we went back to camp and finished packing. The plan was to drive back to the Salt Lake City area and find a hotel for the night. A shower and a good night’s sleep and we would be ready for the flights back home.

Day 8 – Heading Home

Saturday, May 12th

We got up, took showers, had breakfast and headed for the airport. We dropped Tom off and returned the rental car. The rest of the trip was uneventful. Flying through Baltimore, changing planes and making the last leg to Manchester was uneventful and gave plenty of time to sleep and dream of crystal clear cold rivers loaded with big trout.

Here is the complete photo album.