GONE FISHING

If you’re the type of individual whose fishing vacation idea is playing the casino arcade game, “Gone Fishing,” you’re missing out on a unique adventure.
By Carrie Crain (housewife extraordinaire)

Pack your bags and experience the relaxation and fun of fly fishing for trout in Warm River, Idaho. Come on, you know you want to wear a tan fishing vest and wide brim hat. Here’s what you’ll need to do. First book a flight. Fly into Jackson Hole, Wyoming, rent a car, and drive approximately 79 miles to the scenic Three Rivers Ranch lodge and ranch. Three Rivers Ranch is a fly fisherman’s dream getaway because there’s all this trout.

The lodge is nestled in the foothills of Yellowstone National Park. The ranch gets its name, “Three Rivers” because it’s located near three rivers: Snake River, Warm River, and Robinson Creek. The lodge borders the Targhee National Forest where I know for a fact, one elk resides and performs a 5 a.m. mating call each morning. Visitors can stay in one of the pine-logged cabins, or at the Three Rivers Robinson Creek House. They have a chef. The advantage of a chef is you can dine on tasty food and not worry about cooking.

No true fisherman or fisherman wannabe can resist all the variety of trout: Rainbow, Lake, Brook, Cutthroats, or Brown. And, if you’re really geeky about fishing, you can make your own lures. Who wouldn’t want to do that? You can learn how to make traditional fly patterns such as: mohair, rabbit fur leeche, damsel fly nymph, and krystal buggers. Apparently, whitefish love nymphs. Who would have thought? Upon arrival, jump right in and start fly fishing the Henry’s Fork on a pontoon boat with a personal guide. Wear waders and cast your rod in the river. Be sure to slap on sunscreen and bring plenty of water (or beer).

The next day, take a break from all that fishing and drive your rental to Yellowstone Bear World. A park ranger will hand you a “Disclaimer Notice” advising that you’re entering at your own risk because of the bears roaming and all. Stay in your car, it's a drive-through wildlife park. Grab your camera and keep an eye out for bear, buffalo, elk, deer, and squirrels. There’s also a petting zoo where visitors can feed ducks and geese. You may be able to catch a staff member bottle-feeding a baby bear cub. You'll want to snap pictures and post them on Facebook. After an afternoon of bears and buffalo, head back to Three Rivers and change for dinner. Whip off the fashionably fisherman’s vest and sombrero, and wear something a little more edgy like that bear t-shirt you purchased at the Three Bears gift store. For more information on fly fishing in Warm River, Idaho, visit the Three Rivers Ranch website.

CARRIE CRAIN is a housewife extraordinaire who has bipolar. She is a soon-to-be-published author of a zany, adventurous children’s novella. www.carriecrain.com
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Comments

[CC_Typewriter]

I have one of those bear t-shirts!

[A-6Dude]

I'm just going to move there.

[Tobi]

I'm not usually interested in fishing but you made it sound interesting! I am, however, very interested in the wildlife park so that would probably be the highlight of my trip. It looks like beautiful country up there!