Keeping Secrets

I've a foggy memory, but I think it was A. K. Best, who, in a magazine article, declined to identify the water he described fishing. If it's good enough for A. K. Best, it's good enough for me. James at THE KINGFISHER fly shop recommended our next fishing destination, but earnestly implored us to tell no one.

Club website: http://www.clearwaterflycasters.com/

Well, someone told someone, who told someone. Driving the accessible length of creek, we noted other anglers on the water - the secret was already out. We made camp at the nearby campground and as luck would have it, met our wonderful "next door" neighbors, Marion and Dave from Washington.

After floating the north fork of the Clearwater, Dave cooked up a Dutch oven pineapple upside-down cake. He and Marion invited us to share their campfire, the stars, the cake and their good company. (Note: Dutch oven pineapple upside-down cake is pretty darn good with chilled white wine. Who'd a' thought?)

Dave told us James' exhortation was because years ago, a fly fishing magazine published an article about the creek. The ensuing rush of fishing pressure spoiled angling for locals. My interupretation of "locals" is fly fishers from Idaho, Washington and Montana. Somehow, a couple of Arizonans were welcomed into the fold.

Larger View

I didn't know Donna filmed the clip below, so it is not included as a demonstration of brilliant angling, but so you can hear the sound that lulled us to sleep, see how beautiful the view from our back door and see that, except for Donna, I had the creek to myself.

Larger View

Dave recommended our next destination, so we made our way there.

© Marian Tallon, August 30, 2012