Squamish

"We're almost there" Henry exclaimed as he tried to discern one gorgeous run-pool-braid from another as we bounced up the logging road that runs keeps pace with the Upper Squamish River in BC. 

Big Water Looking Upstream

We'd begun our day pre-dawn in Philly and aided by the time change we were  able to both see a bit of Vancouver and find our way into the watery neighborhood we'd be fishing for the following three days by early evening.  Our arrival spot, which became our defacto home base has a name but you'll have to ask Henry or our Guide Clint Goyette from Valley Fishing Guides . 










It's sheltered East and West by snow-capped, mountains along the long access of the river, but if the winds are blowing along the river valley -- you're in for a howler.  Nature hasn't been tamed here, this broad free-stoner is cold from the glaciated mountains with a bouldery-cobble bottom.

We'd cross this tiny thread of river to get to a main braid from our homebase

Hen's first Bulltrout 

During our 4-days on the river we saw it milky, steelhead-green, icy grey and perfectly clear.  As Clint repeated to us, the river is never the same and each day you have to question it as you hunt steelhead. 

I think, "pure joy" captures what's going on here!

Remembering Jack Davis' mantra, "you can use any color bugger you want...as long as it's olive," the sun had already slipped beneath the Western ridge-line as Henry and I caught our first bulltrout swinging olive streamers to the darkest reaches of the run.  We came off the river at 2105 with smiles creased into our faces and the promise of three fishy days ahead.

Caffeinated at Bean around the World we trundled into our trucks and bumped 12ish miles north into the upper Squamish over and trough potholes that grew each bounce.   This is wild country, during the muddy slog we moved through public land owned by the Crown and 'First Nation' (Indian Property) marveling at the Elk and wondering if we'd catch a glimpse of a bear rousing from its winter sleep.  Clint pointed to one jeep trail where the bear attack scene from The Revenant was filmed...yes that's right where we were :-)

8wt 13' Spey rod water-loaded and ready to launch 

Our two days with Clint were spent learning, hunting and swinging streamers for steelhead with a few hours devoted to tight-line nymphing for trout.  I was (and am) a novice at both Spey casting and tight line nymphing but under Clint's guidance became passable (barely) at both techniques.  

a trophy (for me) bull BTH w/a fly I tied on a 4wt rod --  'No', it didn't fit in that tiny net on my back

Clint took great satisfaction when Hen and I each caught fish with both techniques.  Along the way Hen and I took mental notes and on reading the water, the theory and practice of various spey casts, fly presentation, hook-set and fish-fighting to name areas where I have humbling amount of room to grow as an angler/fish hunter.

Hen w a steely grey handsome Bulltrout, not sure if it was wetter in the water or "Out" of the water

Every few minutes I'd find myself transfixed by the beauty around me, a useful distraction from the cold and wet (fishy) weather that kept us on our toes.   Those mountains have a majestic, brutal beauty.  I love my worn Appalachians, but these young-spiky mountains were mesmerizing. 

BBB -- Big Bad Bow for Hen!

Steelhead Battle

Among the highlights of the trip was the fabulous instruction and education from Clint, catching, and having Henry catch quite a few trout on flies I'd tied (thanks Scott).  Catching a monster bull trout myself and watching Henry land (many fish) but in particular a gorgeous rainbow and hooking into and watching Henry have a battle with a steelhead on the last day.  Henry applied everything Clint taught in terms of fighting the ST but as the ST got close to the bank, even with sideways pressure and a nice shock absorbing curve to his 8wt, he shook his body, flipped his orientation and threw the hook.  We didn't land him but it was exciting validation of all we'd learned.

Thanks again to Clint for the instruction and Henry and Liz for an amazing 50th Birthday present.   We'll be back!