When I went to sleep last night, I figured I'd fish today, maybe starting up river at bull pasture or PhD, where the fish would likely be midging. Maybe a side channel down river. But the trailer is shaking in the wind all night and into the morning. It's shaking while I eat breakfast. I decide a week is enough and it's time to move on.
It's tricky though. As I pull out of the campsite, there's still some uncertainty. I take the long way around to the southbound interstate, turning north from camp along the river up toward Craig. I can't yet just leave the river and drive south, straight to the on-ramp. I pull off the frontage road twice to look at the water, to evaluate whether I'm making the right decision or not. It's not blowing too hard where I pull off at Lonetree. I'm torn between doing it again for another day, or moving on. I get out and pace. I look at the weather forecast again, the one I looked at about 15 minutes ago.
The screen says winds all day, and a cold front is coming. The forecast for the Henry's Fork is sunny and high 50s with no wind. I can be there by 1:00, easily. Last time I was there, it was cold and windy. Today's forecast is enough to push me on up through Craig and on to the interstate southbound. I resist an urge to fly shop hop as a stalling tactic.
As I pass the Wolf Creek turnoff, I let off the gas a little with thoughts racing to exit and turn around. I make it passed however. By the time I drive out of the colorful Wolf Creek canyon, I'm committed. My mind goes straight to thoughts of what is now in my rear view and being left behind at 75 mph. It's 10 hours home. I do have world class water 30 minutes from my house, but it's not the same, and it sure ain't no MO.
A week here leaves no doubt that it's the undisputed best trout river in the lower 48. Numbers, size, bug life, water types, ease of access, and lots of it. At this time of year, it can't be called crowded either. Nowhere else comes close to having such a total package. That little taste of winter a couple weeks ago sure made this Indian summer week just that much sweeter. This late October weather makes me think, "Are you kidding me?"
But wait, there's more! Water flowing at 2,600 CFS. Easy wading from every access. If there is average to above average snowpack over the next winter or two, it could be years before I see this flow again, if ever. I can't even remember the last time it was, but it seems like decades ago. It turns a wide, sometimes brawling river into a series of little spring creeks, easily navigated on foot.
I can only hope there are more visits to a low-flowing Missouri River in my future. This trip ain't quite over yet though. Sunny and calm in Last Chance . . . Just a stop in Ennis for my last chance at $2.95 gas, and I'll be standing in some super low water casting a big ol' winged beetle by early afternoon. Where's that terrestrial box?
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