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Last weekend seven pontoons set out from Steelhead Park in Savona for a day drift/fish along the mighty Thompson River. One experienced whitewater paddler, two with some experience and four with no experience. The first rapid below Steelhead Park got the blood pressure and the pulse rate up a bit as we set off down the river in search of the legendary 'bows on the fly.
Approx. 1/4 mile down we were into our first fish and during the day the seven of us hooked approx. 25-30 fish in the 1-3 lb. range, mostly on 'hopper patterns, green sedges, and stonefly nymphs. There were long stetches on inactivity, but several spots we stopped at gave up 3-5 fish in short order.
Ribwart, Professori, Anthony, and yours truly along with a few family friends made up the seven. Those of you who couldn't make it missed a beautiful, scenic, and rewarding day on the river..The weather was perfect, with a bit of overcast and very little wind to prevent our casts from finding their marks. Perhaps a wee bit more sun would have spwned some additional hatches, but all in all it was a good day.
The river should not be attempted without someone with knowledge of moving water. It is HUGE river with deep fast runs and some fun,challenging rapids. Be sure and take some food and water with you, along with all the standard safety gear , including patch kits, sunscreen and sunglasses.
The pontoons were of various makes and sizes but all handled the river with relative ease. Only the last rapid just above our take-out point at Juniper Beach really got the heart rate going as we drifted through some irregular standing waves of 2-3 ft.
It was a trip I have wanted to do for a long time and it was really fun to share the experience with a few others. Definitely go with a group if you want to do this trip and I certainly would save it for an August weekend, as the river was considerably higher a month ago and much more dangerous.
Plans are already on the board for next year,One more thought if you are planning on going....Be aware that along the entire length of the river are two tracks that carry trains at a frequency of 3-4 per hr., 24 hrs. a day. We camped at Hat Creek Ranch approx. 6 miles north of Cache Creek and it was nice and quiet, and made for a good sleep after a full day on the river. Total river drift was approx. 12 miles and took us 8 hrs...........Ortho 8)
Approx. 1/4 mile down we were into our first fish and during the day the seven of us hooked approx. 25-30 fish in the 1-3 lb. range, mostly on 'hopper patterns, green sedges, and stonefly nymphs. There were long stetches on inactivity, but several spots we stopped at gave up 3-5 fish in short order.
Ribwart, Professori, Anthony, and yours truly along with a few family friends made up the seven. Those of you who couldn't make it missed a beautiful, scenic, and rewarding day on the river..The weather was perfect, with a bit of overcast and very little wind to prevent our casts from finding their marks. Perhaps a wee bit more sun would have spwned some additional hatches, but all in all it was a good day.
The river should not be attempted without someone with knowledge of moving water. It is HUGE river with deep fast runs and some fun,challenging rapids. Be sure and take some food and water with you, along with all the standard safety gear , including patch kits, sunscreen and sunglasses.
The pontoons were of various makes and sizes but all handled the river with relative ease. Only the last rapid just above our take-out point at Juniper Beach really got the heart rate going as we drifted through some irregular standing waves of 2-3 ft.
It was a trip I have wanted to do for a long time and it was really fun to share the experience with a few others. Definitely go with a group if you want to do this trip and I certainly would save it for an August weekend, as the river was considerably higher a month ago and much more dangerous.
Plans are already on the board for next year,One more thought if you are planning on going....Be aware that along the entire length of the river are two tracks that carry trains at a frequency of 3-4 per hr., 24 hrs. a day. We camped at Hat Creek Ranch approx. 6 miles north of Cache Creek and it was nice and quiet, and made for a good sleep after a full day on the river. Total river drift was approx. 12 miles and took us 8 hrs...........Ortho 8)
that way I'll be ready for next year...
