On Christmas Evening I went up to the cabin with a few buddies. Topics of conversation included environmental law, trout, evolution of anxiety, and beer while we played games. It was a great evening and the cabin’s location allowed us to fish a favorite stream the next day.
With a few hours of sleep we met up with Jaon at the Benner parking lot. With two vehicles we decided it best to spot them in a way that would allow for a lenghty hike. With the newly opened section of the canyon it was a no brainer to focus are attention there. Less than a mile stretch had recently been opened that bridged the gap between Benner Spring and Fishermans Paradise. We would be able to legally fish this section.
As we hiked upstream from the paradise it became evident why the four of us were there. It was a crisp late December day with a stream flow that bordered on perfect. The water was cold (maybe too cold) but the outside temperature was holding in the high thirties. The fishing was great, the catching not so much. But we shared laughes and insight as the walked upstream through the forest.
We all noticed that the recently opened canyon was seeing an increase in non-angler traffic. This had to do with the massive parking lot that was located on the bank of the creek at Benner Spring. With the traffic came trash, dogs, noise, and a feeling of being watched.
As we drove back to the cabin to pack up for home I decided it would be nice to spend another day fishing. So I would stay another night and fish alone. The forecast looked great with a 10% chance of rain and low 40′s. The weather man was wrong and it rained all day.
After a few hours of fishing in the rain it was time to make the drive home. I had four days to move out of my apartment and a feeling that I would be fishing again before the end of the year. The drive was brutal with heavy fog and rains. A single can of beer was a welcomed sight when I arrived back home.
beer
