I found a map that showed some feeder creeks right around Hells Delight Road (remember from the August 27th post) that I wanted to check out. Got coffee at Cook's and hit the road. Got to Hells Delight Road and turned left heading up the hill beyond Silver Fork.
Found the first creek (Grand Creek) and it was dry as a bone so I just turned around at that point. If it was that dry, there wouldn't be any fish even in the spring, thus a waste of time to go any further.
Back at the bridge I decide I'd wander down stream (by truck) to a couple other places I had fished before and try them first. I could always fish by the bridge on the way back.
Pulled off the side to park and found this nice pair of woman's sneakers just sitting on the side of the road. They were worn enough that they would only be good to the person who left them there and I did the same. Left them there, that is.
Pink & white = woman's |
Downstream |
Upstream |
Since there was nothing there I went back to the truck and drove to another place I'd fished. Grabbed my gear and started down to the creek. That is when the day went to hell.
I apparently walked right across a nest of ground wasps. If you've never seen them before they look just like this little bastard in the picture below. Sorry for the language, but I'll explain below.
Ground Wasp |
Back to today. I didn't realize that I had disturbed the nest until I started getting bit. I had on my sweatshirt, fishing vest, and waders so the only place open to bare skin was my neck and ears. Between the left side of neck just behind my left ear and my right ear I think I got nailed at least 6 times before I could get away.
Still I wanted to fish that creek so I moved about 100 feet to the left and started down to the creek again. Well, I guess when they sting you they inject a theromone that says "Sting here". I also guess that it travels more than 100 feet because they started coming at me again.
I didn't get stung that time, but took the hint and got the hell out of Dodge. Of course, in my haste to get out of there, I tripped over something and cut the shit out of my hands when I hit the ground. At that point there wasn't going to be any more fishing this morning.
Now I'm sitting here, in the nerve center of Northern California Trout, and 2 1/2 hours later, the bites still hurt. Tylenol did absolutely nothing to ease the pain. I think I'll go get some drugs.
Maybe I'll try again later in the week.
Mark
Oh man that hurts. I don't care what they are, bees, wasps or whatever. They hurt and you can't ever tell when you're going to have a bad reaction. Take care buddy.
ReplyDeleteSure hope all ends up well. Health reactions to stings or bites is some bad news, but I guess, I don't need to tell you that right now! Keep us posted, Mark.
ReplyDeleteMark
ReplyDeleteAs we get older we tend to have a reaction to bee or wasp stings. I always carry benadryl with me now when I am out on the trail. It helps with the sting reaction, and helps with the swelling. Get better and I know you will be back out there chasing those trout soon. Thanks for sharing
Sorry to hear about the fall! I hope the ol mitts heal up for you soon.
ReplyDelete