Float fishing the South Fork on a July day is a treat. That being said, I’d choose an evening on the Rizzo River with a mayfly hatch over the SF every time. In fact, my partner in crime on the South Fork Sunday, Jesse Belcher, would too. He’s and old Henry’s Fork Ranch guy also. So being Jesse is only here a few more days, tonight I took him out there.
It was a calm glassy night on the Rizzo. The hatch was light to start but patience and intense observation provided a few risers to cast at. Jesse chased a few with no luck but when I took over to show him my slide and drag the fly method I lucked into this beautiful cutthroat. Looks like at one time in his life he had a close call with an otter by the bite out of his tail.
Jesse hooked up a few huge sippers during the float. The big ones weren’t so kind to him however. He broke off two of the fish. One on the hook set and one on a surprising surge near the end of the fight. And this fish just came unbuttoned. Jesse landed one small cutthroat.
Despite only a few fish to the boat it was a spectacular summer evening that ended with a “once in a lifetime” event. I kept us out late and as we loaded my boat to the trailer at 10:25 PM, in the distant sky, was the comet Neowise. There’s a first time for everything and tonight we fished under a comet. When will this opportunity come again? Photo is the courtesy of my friend Aaron Stiny.
I’m headed for Pinedale, Wyoming tomorrow. I was scheduled to guide for a fundraiser, “Fishing for the Fight” but thanks to Covid-19 its cancelled. Regardless, me and some of the other volunteers decided to meet and go fishing. Should be fun!