Every year, Paul’s father fishes a river up north and has been inviting Paul to fish with him.
We just got out of school and moved into the new house. Looking across my living room, sitting amid the mess, we decided to go. Why not? I’m feeling overwhelmed by the move. There’s so much to put away, and I have an egg chair in my living room instead of a couch.
But Paul is right. We need to spend as many days as possible with family. Our many, many projects can wait.
We made our way to Idaho and stayed at the Buffalo campground right along the river with Paul’s parents, Monte and Terry, and their friends, Jeff and Heidi.
These three gentlemen were pretty funny to watch. They would gather to check out whatever new gadget the others had- and what they’d decided they just had to get next. Whether it was a net, a bag with an attached dressing mat, or a laminated fishing license, they kept the excitement going the whole time.
The next several days were spent gearing up and heading to the river to fish. Paul taught Eli how to fish. His skills improved as the days went on, and he was getting the hang of swinging the fly.
He even caught a few fish!
Paul was able to do a little fishing.
I was surprised that the entire day wasn’t consumed with fishing. Apparently the best fishing was midday. So, the mornings were enjoyable.
They ate liverwurst for lunch.
They tied flies.
We went to the Big Springs.
The springs bubble water from the ground and produce over 120 million gallons of crystal-clear, 52-degree water daily, forming the headwaters of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.
These birds made me laugh. One on each post.
What did I do while they went fishing? I enjoyed watching Indiana Jones, reading my book, and walking around the several campground loops.
Oh, and being the videographer who didn’t know how to use her phone. Somehow, I recorded everything in time-lapse mode without realizing it. I didn’t know that setting existed! Aaugh! I had to redo all of them. Paul’s direction for the retake was: “Pretend this is your first day on the river and teach Eli. Again.” Ha!
But I got this boy eating in time-lapse. Not sure what that drumming is, but he was pretty excited for more strawberries.
Eli’s new name? water wader?
He told me he wasn’t going to get wet. I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Put an 11-year-old next to water, and the probability of getting wet is pretty high. Every evening, he came home soaking wet from chest to toe. Not sure why we dressed him in waders. The best part? He only brought one pair of pants and underwear for the trip. Oh, I love that boy! 😊
This river was absolutely beautiful. I now know why they like to come up here.
Spending a day- actually, several days-in the river with these guys… I mean, look at them, ha! You know they were all laughs and fun.
Check out all this gear they have strapped on! Bags, nets, lines, scissors, trekking poles, and oh yeah—the actual fishing rod. 😊 I used to think a fishing pole was all you needed to fish. But as Jeff said, the older you get, the more gear you have to pack, including a defibrillator and an emergency SOS button. If you need anything on that river, they have it.
Eli really enjoyed being with them, feeling like one of the guys!
Paul asked if I wanted to try fishing. I told him next year. I didn’t have the fancy gear to sport on the river. 😊
On the way home, we stopped for lunch at Ross Park Drive-in. We tried their cheesy tots, which were a bit spicy.
I jumped in the back with Eli, and he let me watch Sofia the First with him. I haven’t watched that show in years
Was it worth the 4-hour drive?
Was it worth the $250 in fuel?$60 on fishing hats?
As Mastercard said: fishing with your dad, priceless.
And fishing with this dad, priceless.
Thank you for letting us share in part of your special fishing trip.