By Paul Robertson

The plan was for Steve Edwards and Tom Strawther to go over on Monday, November 27 and I was going to join them on Tuesday, November 28. Sadly, Steve’s mother had to go into the hospital over the weekend and he had to cancel. Thus, Tom and I headed over on Tuesday. Upon arrival at the Lazy L&L campground, we discovered they are doing construction, so our normal campsite was not available. Thus, we drove around and selected a different site. It was actually a better site than we have had in the past, but a lot further from the restrooms—which can be challenge for us old men!

After setting up camp and having a bite to eat we headed out to fish. We stopped by the fly shop and talked with Ed a few minutes before heading to the water. (Yes, Ed did talk!) As soon as we got into the water, we realized it was low and slow. So we had to look for some deeper holes. Neither of us caught any fish. Back at camp we enjoyed a nice dinner and trying to solve the world’s problems around a fire.

Wednesday morning Tom caught a few and I didn’t catch any, though I did see a guy catch three on a raft not too far from me. So I know there were fish there. The big event for me was that on the way out I slipped and fell—the water was not too deep, but enough to soak my shirt and get water into my waders. Most importantly, no injuries, unless you count my pride.

For the afternoon, we headed to a spot downstream. When we arrived I realized I had left my wading belt and wading staff back at the camp (drying out). So Tom stayed there to fish and I headed back to camp and decided to fish at the Devil’s Playground. Last year I had lost a nice fish in one of the fast runs there. I wanted another chance; this time I approached the run from the other side of the river where I had room to play the fish and move them to softer water. I ended up catching a couple of fish and missing one. All in all, a good back up plan. But alas, when I took off my waders, I had a wet right leg. I’m guessed I sprung a leak when I fell in the morning.

That night Tom Radach joined us. After he set up camp we enjoyed time sharing stories around the fire. Tom R helped me try to patch my waders. That night we had some rain. For the most part, it was cleared up by the next morning.

Thursday morning, Tom R went with me and Tom S went in a different direction. Tom R caught several fish and I got just one. When we met for lunch, we learned that Tom S had caught a few fish, but he had also broken his favorite rod getting a fly out of a tree. And somewhere in his hiking out, he had lost his net. And, when I got out of my waders, I had another wet leg. That afternoon Tom S packed up and headed home so he could see his wife Patti before she left town on Friday. Before he left, the two Toms help me look for the leak in my waders using a flashlight. We found a pin hole and a small “tear.” Fortunately, Tom R had some UV wader repair resin and Tom R had a UV light. That seemed to stop the leak, as my leg remained dry after that. Yeah!

Tom R and I fished a couple of places Thursday afternoon, with no luck for either of us. For dinner, we headed up to Canyon Lake to eat at Wildflour Cafe.

Friday morning Tom R and I got up early and went to fish for a few hours but had no luck. Then it was back to camp to pack up and head home.

Though we didn’t catch many fish on this trip, we had some good times exploring, laughing mixed with some moaning about our mishaps, engaging conversations, sharing time taking in the scenery, lots of casting practice….and quite a few discussions speculating on why we weren’t catching many fish! But as Roderick Haig-Brown said:

“There will be days when the fishing is better than one’s most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home.”

“Another great trip. And after all, “it is not all about the fishing. And yes, we go at it with a passion that gives the image to non-fisher’s that it is all about the fishing. But no, it is mostly about the people that we fish with” (Ken Deaver)”