Renowned South Fork of the Snake fishing guide and great friend, Mike Bean, contacted me a month ago to make him a Cliff Box for one of his longtime customer/friends in celebration of his 80th birthday. It turns out his friend is Page Chapman. I know Page because Mike and Page invited me fishing on the South Fork with them back in May of 2016.
The first words out of my mouth were, “No way! Page is 80?” It turns out Page is the kind of 80 we all hope to make it to. He moves around better than some of my friends in their 50’s. Page’s advice to Mike and me, “Just make it to 80 because if you do they say 90 is easy”.
Ok. Sounds like from my ripe age of 52 to 79 will be a challenge but if I can make 80 I should be all set. The good news from this little story is that when Page got his gift from Mike it reminded him of me and he was quick to invite me to join him on his next trip with Mike. Today was the day and my morning started quick with this nice cutbow on a streamer.
Despite that early hawg of a trout we’d work hard today to catch fish. Most great looking places showed no signs of life. When we were lucky enough to see a fish they lollygagged towards the fly and shrugged away as if it was poison (I guess in a way it is). Even with Mike pulling out all his tricks it was hard to catch a fish.
But hard work and persistence always pays off. No doubt we had some periods where I put my feet up and enjoyed the scenery. But in the end, we caught a few nice fish like this cutthroat Page nailed on a big foam stonefly imitation.
It’s always great to get out on the South Fork and even better when with friends I don’t get to see enough. Over the weekend I intend to work and listen to a ton of baseball. The Cubs are scuffling but somehow manage to hang on to the lead in the Central. It should be a great rest of summer ahead!