“North Bound” — Spin-a Story First Place

North Bound
By: Jason Morrison

I looked up at the clock to see it was just a few minutes past midnight. I put my scissors down and tucked the vise back into the corner of the roll top desk. I admired the row of size 24 Baetis I had just got done tying. Carefully, I pulled each one out of the pink foam and placed them into my fly box.

TheFlies

Turning off the light to my fly dungeon I let out a large yawn and a sigh of relief. I knew that in just a few short hours I would be on the road, heading north bound. With everything already packed I open the front door of the house and step out into the cool autumn air. Loading the fly rods and gear into the back of the truck is therapeutic.

I lay restless in bed. Everything fills my head. The last few months have been rough taxing my soul. Rolling over I find myself cracking a grin and forgetting. Tomorrow I will be in good company and sticking fish!

Norm_Casting

I am greeted by Jason & Kenny early who are both eager to hit the road. After a moment or two of admiration for the “woodie” attached to the back of the truck we are off. The wooden drift boat behind the truck looks sexy and boasts jealousy to anyone already work bound in the early morning hours.

ColdMorning_Driftboat

Every year a crew of us hit “Bobs Cabin” in Idaho. We head up from Utah and fish the waters that surround the famous Henry’s Fork. It is always a challenge to see how much water we can cover over an extended weekend. The evening hours are filled with high stakes.

TheStakes_2

Chris & Norm meet up with the “Clacka”. The snow begins to fall as we launch the boats on a section of the “Fork”. The wind is hissing and the water is low. “It doesn’t matter”.

Chris_Bob_Clacka

Posting up on the deeper seams we managed to land a few fish. Jason makes two pumps with a large Sex Dungeon and the water erupts with a nice rainbow crashing the surface. With my camera bag in between my feet I pull out the “700” and begin firing off shots on the “wide”.

StreamerLove_Jason

StreamerLove_2

Kenny is standing in the back of the boat and switching up his fly selection. Turning around with the camera I take a few seconds to capture the action.

Kenny_SwitchinUp

“Bling This Jay!” Kenny holds up the goods and lets out a laugh.

BLINGTHIS_Kenny

The afternoon wind and snow doesn’t stop any of us from having a great time. I rowed through a couple tail outs to catch up with Chris, Norm and Bob. We anchor up next to the Clacka and watch Norm throw to some risers taking small Baetis on top.

ThePhotog-ME

Not a bad way to end an afternoon of fishing.

The evenings back at Bob’s cabin are something to look forward to at the end of each day on the water. The laughter is loud, the steaks are cooked to perfection and the poker is out of control. Norm manages to clean my wallet out by beating my Straight to Ace with his Full House.

TheStakes_1

With it being 14 degrees in the morning we are late getting out of bed. Launching the “Woodie” mid morning gives us a short window to hit Henry’s Lake. It doesn’t take long for the wind to blow everyone off the water and have us re-think our game plan for the day.

Stump

Hitting the road we drive into Montana to visit Kelly Galloup. After sharing a few stories and talking with Kelly we decide it is time to pay the “Madi” a quick visit. As Kenny and Jason head out to the river I hold back for the shots. My evening is spent observing on the bank.

The_Madison_JayMorr

The past few years have taught me a thing or two. I have learned to not be in such a hurry. I now wield a camera more than a fly rod. I love seeing everything unfold behind the lens. I catch things that were once missed and I appreciate the small details that were passed up. The laughter and excitement of the take, the cries from the misses, and the magnificence of that which surrounds us. I fly fish through a camera lens and love it!

Here is to another year “North Bound.”

Related posts:

  1. “Snake River” — Spin-a Story Third Place
  2. “Something Silver This Way Comes” — Spin-a Story Second Place
  3. “To Save a Fishing Lure” — Spin-a Story First Place
  4. “Big Burtha” — Spin-a Story Third Place
  5. “Time To Get Crankin’ – Making Them, That Is.” — Spin-a Story Second Place

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categories Contest, Featured | FethaStyx | datetime December 29, 2009 1:58 pm

1 Comment

  • By Brett Colvin, December 29, 2009 @ 2:54 pm

    Congrats Jay – I’m looking forward to getting some shots of the new rod in action this Spring.

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