Sunday, June 17, 2012

Tenkara - Ken - Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's out there.

I picked my son Ken up at his house at 0715 with the intention of fishing the North Fork of the Cosumnes River by his house. I cross this river four times, every time I go to his house. Twice going and twice coming back. Our plan was to access it at the bridge on Happy Valley Rd.

If you look at the two pictures below, the access is anything but happy.

Down Stream
Up Stream
We hiked up a path on the hillside about a quarter mile before we could find a path down to the river. Once we did, I got Ken set up with the Tenkara rod and the green (reasonable facsimile) stimulator. I picked a spot where a little pool was and said "fish there". First cast with the Tenkara rod and "fish on". Wasn't very big, but it was the first of the day. If you double click on the picture, the fish is right below the butt of the rod. See, not very big. Gently released and on to the next pool. 


Ken's first fish on Tenkara

When in doubt, sneak up on  them
We fished a little further upstream, but the boulder hopping was just too much so we climbed out and headed for the same creek, but way up by Caps Crossing.

We stopped before getting to Caps and fished a part of the creek that had easier access. We had follow-ups, drive-bys, and hit and runs, but couldn't get any to stay on the line. I even had a couple come across the pool (you could see the V-shaped wake) only to turn away at the last minute. 

So my Son and I spent Father's Day morning chasing small fish on small streams and loved every minute of it.

I want to make a note, for the record, that the only fish caught today was by my son and not by his father, when his father took him fishing on Father's Day. Come on, that's a joke. I was happy being out stomping through the creeks with him. Besides he's a father too.     

I mentioned on Mel's blog (Rainbow Chaser) about the people camping where we were fishing (not designated campgrounds) and how I could smell the smoke from the camp fires. I do hope they are careful because it is hot (mid-90's), dry (humidity about 15%), and windy. Ripe conditions for a wildfire. Besides it's not my place to say anything and they were there for a wedding. A couple got married right by the creek last night and I hope the best for them. They probably wouldn't listen anyway.

Well, that's it for Father's Day fishing. Till next time.

Mark


10 comments:

  1. Happy Father's Day Mark. Best way to spend the day!

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  2. A great way to spend Fathers Day.
    And the stream looks like one I'd love to fish.

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  3. I found your blog through Mel's, and I would sure like to follow along, if that's ok. So sorry about the wildfires in your area that I keep hearing about in the news and reading about on Mel's blog. Hope the winds die down and it rains soon.

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    1. Hi Kim and welcome aboard. We don't have the wild fires YET, but they will get here sooner or later. Like death and taxes, wildfires in California are inevitable. They come with heat, wind, and dry conditions which hang on all summer. The rain stops about May and doesn't return until October/November. We just keep our fingers crossed each year that they don't grace our area with their presence.

      Mark

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  4. Sounds like a great Fathers Day to me!!

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  5. Hey Mark....glad to see you and your son got out on Father's Day and did some fishing. Not to get to squishy but as Climax sang.....precious and few are the moments we share.

    You have some beautiful places out there.

    My youngest son (he (20) & Sir Paul McCartney (70) share a birthday today) asked me the other day what Northern California was like and I was able to tell him with confidence it was beautiful. Thanks for sharing your part of the world.

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  6. It's not always about fish. you spent quality time with your son and that's worth so much more than anything else! Sounds like your fathers day was a blast. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  7. Mark
    I know the where you are coming from; my son and I went to our local tailrace for Father's day so I know the feeling. Glad you and your son made a day of it and he got to experience the Tenkara.

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