[Heero[CntRmbrPwd]]

A friend person who wanted to save money on gas and I had to drive over to Missoula to pick up a couple Beatles-cleaned skulls - my elk and his mulie from last season. We decided to give Rock Creek a try on the way back, heading thru Philipsburg to the upper portion.

I've never seen so many rad dudes fishing in one spot.

Dirt road protocol requires a wave to passing vehicles, it is known. I received only a couple return waves from the many Simms-clad, 'huge flyfisherman' types passed along the dirt road, and I received some scowls in return of my courtesy wave or hello on the water. A few dudes with a second rod, clearly rigged for bull trout which (I think) is still a no-no. Made me miss the Beartooths where people wave back.

Maybe I am projecting. This was my perception. Fishing must be serious business.

The fishing was pretty incredible -- salmonflies, golden stones, green drakes, pmds, and caddis in the air and on the water with fish rising freely. Good amount of hook-scarred fish faces, tho.

I startled a small black bear along the river that ran off when I shouted at him.

Highlight of the outing was the mountain lion seen up close. Real close. The fella saving money on gas got a couple crappy pictures before the pussy scurried off up the hillside -- I just watched the feline awesomeness in awe. Amazing critter, neatest I’ve ever seen in the wild.

Crappy lion pitcher. Can see the outline in top left.

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Some fishing pitchers.

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John, Paul, George, and Ringo did a nice job removing the rotting flesh from these heads.

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/whine-y report

[Heero[CntRmbrPwd]]

As an addendum...

The thing about mangled and hook scarred fish faces is that it really make me self reflect on what I am doing...

Rock Creek was much worse in this regard than my usuals.

[Ruddy Duck]

I have an irrational fear of mountain lions.

Cool trip.

[fatman]

awesome lion sighting; I know folks who've lived their entire lives in the Rockies ( and get off the beaten path regularly) and never seen one. The only bear I've encountered in Colorado was while I was driving up a fire trail to get to a brookie pond...just saw his ass as he scampered it back into the trees

On another note, you should really get that growth on your thumb checked out by a medical professional. Or start an endless SBS thread in the tieflying section.

I have an irrational fear of mountain lions.

It's the ones you DON'T see that are worrisome

nice skulls, BTW

[Redchaser]

As an addendum...

The thing about mangled and hook scarred fish faces is that it really make me self reflect on what I am doing...

Rock Creek was much worse in this regard than my usuals.

Well at least you're not making videos juggling fish............anymore...

[The Wandering Blues]

The scowls weren’t meant for you. They were upset their rod vaults were shaking loose from actually being on dirt roads. And, that’s some sweet water ya got there.

[peetso]

Caught my first brown right here.

That creek sure gets a lot of attention and you can see why. Good road access, tons of good water, easy wading, plenty of fish.

Its just too bad that those same characteristics draw the 'huge flyfisherman"types who won't/don't pinch their barbs, don't really practice the most recommendable handling techniques and won't fucking give the courtesy wave.

It really is a lovely piece of water though.

[peetso]

I have an irrational fear of mountain lions.

No such thing.

[Upsetter]

I agree. After seeing numerous Thursday afternoon shuttles for the huge fly fisherman types on far-flung rivers that I thought were out of the target of such creatures, I’ve affectively hung up my hat. Haven’t had my boat out in two years, thinking about selling it. I’ll save fishing for when I go back to Wisconsin and sit on a quiet lake fishing for pike with nobody else around. We’ve recreated a monster.

[LA Fly Guy]

I have an irrational fear of mountain lions.

No such thing.

Same thoughts here. What Fatman said too.

[-G-]

We’ve a running joke that even house cats are always plotting a way to slit your throat. Don’t wannu know what the big kitty thinks..

In relates I saw a cougar here in Michigan once with my buddy dan. He saw something crossing the river and yells “deer!” When we got closer the head looked too boxy and I jokingly said how it looked like a lion. It wasn’t a joke anymore when basically a lion came out of the water; a tail as long as it’s body, stared us both in the eyes then slowly walked up the steep bank and disappeared into thick woods. It was pretty eery to say the least.

[pxatim]

I have an irrational fear of mountain lions.

No such thing.

pffffft just bare hand choke it out.