Don’t miss my Online Presentation Wednesday night May 13 6 PM MST
“Kendjam – the Amazing Species of the Iriri River – Brazil”
May 7-10, 2020
Its been two weeks since Granny and I took off camping and fishing. I’ve been insanely busy with my Online presentations and artwork. I’ve done watercolor art (photo is an Icelandic Ice Age Brown Trout underway), Cliff Box Art and all kinds of Sharpie art on Yeti products. When not inside, building a new porch built and yard work has stolen time as well. But Thursday afternoon we headed out on our first serious Blackfoot Reservoir carp quest of the year.
The forecast was the deciding factor for choosing Blackfoot. Predictions of 60°’s and light wind got us excited to stroll the carp flats. But as we packed the Explorer Thursday morning a horrendous wind developed. It was so bad we saw no reason to plan to fish Thursday and instead headed for Blackfoot in mid-afternoon only for the beauty of camping there.
We always camp on the east side of the reservoir but the wind was cranking from the west when we arrived. In order to seek out wind protection we went on the west side. We found a great spot but it was far from windless. We had a steady 17 mph wind at 6 PM that was ugly to say the least. And it was freezing cold. But, as usual, Granny saved the night cooking up a delicious meal.
Car camping is fun no matter what and fortunately we woke up to a nice morning of singing birds. But before 8 AM the wind started from the south and it was cold too. By 10 AM it was too awful to consider serious fishing. Instead I did my best from shore without waders. It was worth it because I pulled in this Utah sucker on a blind cast. Unfortunately, he wasn’t legitimately hooked but rather snagged in the tail.
We lucked out around noon. As south winds often do, this one died. We hit the carp flats immediately for fear that the wind was resting as it shifted to the west. We had a fun session. Granny tested her shoulder with successful casting and hooked and lost a carp.
As suspected, the wind was resting before shifting. By 3 PM it was cranking from the west at 21 mph and it turned cold as heck. By 5 PM Blackfoot was a frothing muddy mess. I landed this fine-looking mirror carp but he too was snagged so we were still sporting a blank as far as fish landed.
We drank a beer at the car wondering what to do with our evening. No matter how we hid around the car the wind got us so Granny wisely sat in the Explorer. It was madly frustrating. Wind is good when the mosquitoes are bad but this wind chapped my face and lips, deafened my ears and had both Granny and I in the warmest clothes we brought.
Despite the wind, I got bored at 6 PM and wadered up again. Honestly, I was warmer walking in waders than sitting around camp. Plus, I always preach the wind is your friend so I gave it my best shot. Lo and behold, I busted our skunking legitimately landing this nice mirror. Best part about this fish is he fell for a permit crab pattern!
We managed to fire up the grill and make a small fire despite the wind. In the summer I’d never attempt a fire in this wind but right now the earth is soaking wet. Luckily the gale did drop to about 10 mph. After a day of 20 mph it felt good. Almost as good as our steaks tasted.
Sunday turned into a total relax around camp morning. I drank coffee and worked on my blog. Granny fixed a massive breakfast. Then we headed out. We glanced around for fish it’s been obvious in the last two days; the carp aren’t quite ready yet.
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