A Mothers Fishing Story – Beaverhead River

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

By Theresa Hartman

“I got the Big One!”

The weather was not to bad and our spirits were great on Memorial Day on the Beaverhead River in Dillon Montana.  I was going to participate in my very first fly fishing experience. With Travis as our guide, Russ and I were on an outdoor adventure for the day.

I actually caught 2 fish all by myself. (and also toad in the biggest fish of the day that Travis snagged.)  (Russ caught 6-7)  Travis is a wonderful guide and he really knows what he is doing.  I felt sorry for him though as I don’t know how good of a student I was.  lol  He was patient with me, but I know that he extended a lot of loving energy to teach me the techniques of fly fishing.  (believe me, there are lots of techniques, or so I thought)

I was all in it for the adventure and I was not going to let anything stop me from experiencing this wonderful outdoor sport that my two son’s so enjoy.  In other words, I was not going to be a sissy wimp! 

Yes, I went right out in the middle of the river with my waders and my “I can do this attitude”. I LOVED being out in the middle of the river trying to put into practice all the gazillion fly fishing techniques that I was just taught.  The water was only about 2+ feet deep, so I felt very safe.

About 30 minutes into the trip, I was fishing about 30 feet up stream (in the middle of the river) from the anchored boat where Russ was fishing. Travis left me to go assist Russ.   I was so feeling like an outdoors girl.    Russ was in the boat and had snagged his first fish of the day.  While Travis wadded in the water, fish net in hand, he so professionally instructed Russ on how to reel in the toad (big fish) to be caught in the net.

While trying to take in the exciting action happening downstream with Russ and Travis,  I went to lift my foot out of the way of my tangled line and I fell right on my butt in the middle of the river.

My mind immediately went into reaction mode and I remembered what Travis had taught me……  “If you fall in the water Mom, point your feet down stream, keep your arms out to the sides, and I will come get you with the boat”

When I fell, my feet were pointed up stream, so I immediately turned myself around.  I was totally safe as the water was only about 18″ deep, so it didn’t go over my head and I was actually sitting on the bottom of the river. I did not panic at all.  Because I had waders on, I didn’t get that cold soaking wet feeling.

Not wanting to spoil the excitement for Russ who was working on bringing in his first catch of the day, I decided not to yell at Travis for help, and had the mind set that I was going to get myself out of this predicament all by myself.  I was very calm, talking out loud to myself and even letting out a few laughs.

After turning myself around with my feet facing downstream, like my great fly fishing guide had taught me, (now looking in the direction to view Russ and Travis) I noticed that Travis and Russ had not even noticed me sitting on the river bottom.  But before I got myself back on my feet, Travis saw me.

He said, “What are you doing Mom?”

“I fell”  (big smile on my face)  Getting attention from a few other fisherman and woman from downstream.  Sheesh!  lol

“Are you ok?”

“Yes”

“Do you need some help?”

“No, I’m okay”  and I got up all by myself.  YA!

He later told me that when he looked at me, his first instinct was to quickly come and help me, but he saw that I was smiling.  He thought to himself….Hum, why is she not panicking?  What is she doing?

Well, I had to laugh and I was able to remain in great spirits throughout our 6 hour trip. Travis was a great teacher and pointed out many interesting things along our outdoor adventure.

The hood on my sweatshirt did soak up some water when I fell, so eventually the whole backside of my sweatshirt and pants inside the waders did get wet.  I managed to stay comfortable thought.  We did get hit by a rainstorm while docking the boat at the end of our trip and while driving back upstream with our shuttle truck to get the boat trailer.  Good ole’ mother nature in Montana. 

Needless to say, by the time we were ready to head back to Dillon, anyone riding in the truck I was driving had to endure the heater on high for our 30 minute ride back.  But Russ didn’t mind, as he was all wet too.

Why was Russ wet you ask (when he didn’t get out of the boat all day) …well while he was getting out of the boat after we had pulled off the river to dock, the tip of his big water boot got caught on the edge of the boat, and yes, down he went.  He fell forward in about 12″ of water,…. picked himself up,…. grabbed his cowboy had that had fallen in the river, …..put it back on top of his head….water dripping off the sides…and walked up the bank.

Travis immediately went to go help him (I was still in the boat) and wanted to give him a hug, but Russ didn’t want one.  After making sure that he was alright, dignity NOT intact at all, we all laughed our butts off.

Travis then said, “Wow, I had a parent in the water at the beginning of the trip, and then a parent in the water at the end of the trip…..sheesh…..I am so glad that you both caught some fish today”  We laughed until our stomachs hurt.  (well at least I did)

Russ waited with the docked boat while Travis and I drove the shuttle truck upstream to get the truck that had the boat trailer.  While Russ waited, he had to endure the rainstorm by the boat.

I couldn’t stop laughing. (even hours later)     Despite our personal bodily experience with the water, Russ and I (and Travis) really enjoyed the day.  Boy do we have some funny fishing stories to share now.

In summary,  Yes, I would go fly fishing again in a heartbeat.

Theresa