Sun, blue skies. Temps approaching 80 degrees.
Fish and game department sent a notice in the mail saying I can renew my license online. Gotta do it. This week. Summer might not be here officially, but you can’t tell that to the river. Water levels are cresting, so it won’t be long before the runoff subsides, the current stabilizes, and the hatches begin. Time to toss the fly gear in the truck and leave it there—ready for the quick escape.
Years back, when I lived in the Midwest, I used to fish the Mississippi. Nowadays, it’s the Platte, Arkansas, Yampa, Tarryall, Conejos, and others.
Things I’ve caught while fishing the Mississippi: Small mouth and bigmouth bass, bluegill, a seat cushion off a pontoon boat, yellow perch, old tires, walleye, sturgeon, catfish, tennis shoes, stripers, snapping turtles, a window awning, gar, eels, a bicycle frame, crayfish, a steering wheel, carp, other guys’ fishing gear, clams, northern, crappie, sheephead, rock rollers...
Things I’ve caught while fishing the Platte: Trout