Smith River, Montana, 2018

Montana.  If the word doesn’t conjure an image in your mind I don’t know where you have been, but you need to go there.  For me, it brings to mind green valleys surrounded by forested mountains.

But the Smith River?  If you have heard of it you probably talk to people in the rafting world.  When I told most people we were going I got a blank stare.  Where is it?  Well, it’s not really by anywhere you have heard of really.  And that is part of the charm.

(more…)

Continue ReadingSmith River, Montana, 2018

Trinity River, 2018

Sometimes life gets busy.  Well, maybe it is busy more than it isn’t.  Anyhow, it leaves you wondering how you really get away from it all on what could be a hectic 3 day (Memorial Day) weekend.  Are you going to end up “getting away from it all” with 10,000 of your closest friends at the nearest lake?  Or maybe just stay home and avoid the crowds?  Or is there a place you can go, float over 40 miles of river and have your pick of campsites, and hardly see a soul?  Why yes, there is such a place.

 

There are occasions where you might ask if you should just stay home.  In those times I usually am reminded of one of my favorite passages by John Muir.

(more…)

Continue ReadingTrinity River, 2018

From Summer to Fall, 2017

Well, somehow summer has passed and here we are in fall.  There were fewer trips and more work days than I would have preferred.  It was a heck of a fire and smoke season in Oregon this year.  Oh and there was this eclipse thing.

Eclipse over Sisters Oregon (dark at 10 am)

Smoke over Horse Prairie Fire

Even when we got back to fishing there was plenty of smoke and fire action to be had.

Smoke over Odell

 

Scooper on Odell headed for the Kelsey Fire

 

Smokey makes an appearance in the smoke over the Horse Prairie Fire

(more…)

Continue ReadingFrom Summer to Fall, 2017