So there are some days when it seems you shouldn't get out of bed and April 1, 2016 seemed like one of those days. When I checked the river level, the hot sun of the last few days had really caused the level of the Squamish to spike by over a meter and I knew that the early onset of freshet would likely mean rising muddy water, more dangerous wading and less fishability. However, since it was likely only to get worse the best thing was to get out on the Squamish as early as possible and hopefully tie into a steelhead on the lower end and then as things warmed up head upstream for some bull and rainbow trout. "Such are the plans of mice and men which are oft agone aglay" to quote the famous Irish Poet Robby Burns!
My "agone agalay" began with my truck. The rising air temperature sent my tire pressures off and the auto tire pressure monitor was giving me all kinds of doom and gloom messages which took about a half hour of letting air out and re-pumping till the tire warning lights went out. New trucks with all the new fangled sensors can be a real pain in the _SS!.
My "agone agalay" began with my truck. The rising air temperature sent my tire pressures off and the auto tire pressure monitor was giving me all kinds of doom and gloom messages which took about a half hour of letting air out and re-pumping till the tire warning lights went out. New trucks with all the new fangled sensors can be a real pain in the _SS!.
When I finally arrived in Squamish and stopped to tank up the gas, the gas pump when haywire and after spending about 20 minutes there to make sure I was billed correctly I finally got to start drinking my Timmies......which then spilled into my truck tray......things are really looking good so far. Eventually I made it to Fisherman's beach and by the sound of the river I could tell it was up and I was concerned. No matter, just pull on the waders, slip on the fishing vest and grab the rod and head to the river. Just as I reached the guy sitting on a log I realized the bulge where my truck keys are supposed to be in my right pant pocket wasn't there. I was sure I had just had it. A search of all my pant, wader and fishing vest pockets turned up exactly zero truck keys. I needed to back track and there was my truck all locked up with all that new security features and my cell phone sitting there neatly in the dash cup holder......_amn!!
Luckily a kind neighbour opened his door and let me use his phone. First call was to the Chrysler dealer for help/advice. The dealer informed me that "If you want to get a key cut to open the door that will cost you $5 but a key fob for the ignition will cost you $500 and you will have to bring the truck in to get it programmed........._amn!!!
The next call went to a friend who owned a business in downtown Squamish, "Hey Buddy, can I borrow your car so I can drive back to North Van and get my Keys?". He was a good friend and in half an hour I was on my way.
The next call went to a friend who owned a business in downtown Squamish, "Hey Buddy, can I borrow your car so I can drive back to North Van and get my Keys?". He was a good friend and in half an hour I was on my way.
Two and a half hours later when I got back to Squamish, my friend kindly drove me back to my truck and we were able to catch up on all the things that had cost us a lot of money.
When I opened the truck with my spare I was hoping to find that I had left my key on the floor when I was pulling on my waders but that $500 key fob was nowhere to be seen. I was feeling dejected but at least I was now able to open and close the truck so I might as well put my waders back on and see if I could salvage part of the day and not fall in the river......(famous last thought!) As I picked up my wader I felt a funny lump in the neoprene sock.....a lump about the size and shape of a Dodge Ram Key fob!!! _amn!!!!
I put my hand down into the bottom of the sock and out came my lost key fob. Now it was clear that when I had put the key in the pocket of my jeans I had actually missed the pocket and it had slid down my leg. Since I was wearing thermals under my jeans I hadn't felt it even when I had taken the waders off! So, I had spent the last 4 hours of prime fishing time driving back and forth to North Van and Squamish chasing a key fob that was literally in my Sock!.......After sitting in a burger joint having a therepeutic burger, coffee and fries I contemplated what to do next......Well, might as well go fishing upstream to see if I can find some clearish water and some fish.....
When I opened the truck with my spare I was hoping to find that I had left my key on the floor when I was pulling on my waders but that $500 key fob was nowhere to be seen. I was feeling dejected but at least I was now able to open and close the truck so I might as well put my waders back on and see if I could salvage part of the day and not fall in the river......(famous last thought!) As I picked up my wader I felt a funny lump in the neoprene sock.....a lump about the size and shape of a Dodge Ram Key fob!!! _amn!!!!
I put my hand down into the bottom of the sock and out came my lost key fob. Now it was clear that when I had put the key in the pocket of my jeans I had actually missed the pocket and it had slid down my leg. Since I was wearing thermals under my jeans I hadn't felt it even when I had taken the waders off! So, I had spent the last 4 hours of prime fishing time driving back and forth to North Van and Squamish chasing a key fob that was literally in my Sock!.......After sitting in a burger joint having a therepeutic burger, coffee and fries I contemplated what to do next......Well, might as well go fishing upstream to see if I can find some clearish water and some fish.....
The drive up was soothing and the scenery spectacular with the blue sky, snow frosted peaks and spring greenery sprouting everywhere. I found a new spot I had never tried before and pulling my waders back on I made triple sure the key went into the correct pocket. With renewed vigor and enthusiasm I started to wade across a small channel and even though I saw the suspect rock I stepped on it anyways, stumbled and fell in with water flooding my waders! _amn that's cold!.......Pulling myself up, I justified it this way, "It's pretty hot and the 4 Celcius water will help me stay cool in the hot sun".....I thought by law all April fools jokes had to be stopped after 12:00 noon on April 1st?
Getting to the run, I was cool, soggy, but optimistic....turned out to be for good reason.
Getting to the run, I was cool, soggy, but optimistic....turned out to be for good reason.
My first cast in this 100 foot stretch yielded a mighty tug on my minnow pattern and the rod bent hard! A fabulous bull had harfed in the minnow and was determined not to let it go. Having made some adjustments to the pattern I upgraded the offering and 11 more bull trout and two more rainbows took my offering. Basically a fish every ten feet of river bank was the sweetest fishing I have ever experienced on the Squamish. Nearing the end of the run the fly was just nearing the end of the swing when the line anchored hard and began to shake side to side with mighty head shakes......This was a big fish and he did not give in. After bending my rod double and racing around the barbless hook slipped out......_amn!!! I really wanted to land that one!
I did manage to land a nice cadre of picture worthy fish.....(Note to self: Wipe off the camera lens before you take the proverbial pose with the fish shot) In the end, soggy waders and all, I relearned a lesson. Have a back up plan, store a spare key where you can find it, you never know when you will have to get into your vehicle for shelter, keep a clear head, wading in fast risky water isn't worth it, sit down, smell the fresh air and enjoy the day fishing.....tight lines.
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