It was a gorgeous day on the Margaree when Kenny, Greg, Tom and I headed out to do some fishing. That day, Tom and I decided to do the pools in front of Browns Lodge. We noted the previous day on the waters that the levels were extremely high on this trip so we knew we had to go upriver a bit in order to cross to the other side With full gear and wading sticks we made our trek across the riff that was moving at quite a steady speed. With not a great deal of difficulty we arrived safely on the other side and proceeded to fish the first run.Now with me being a newbie at this sport, crossing water isn’t my greatest joy so I was glad that we were on some solid ground.After fishing the run for about an hour we found ourselves down river quite a ways from where we had crossed but at the right place that we had always crossed back at before. It didn’t look good. The water was moving quite fast but was the shortest width to try. So poor Tom,after much reassurance that it would be safe and he would guide me(and I wasn’t too sure on the latter if you have ever fished with Tom-sometimes his balance is –well you know). So into his hand went mine and we started to cross. It didn’t feel good!The water I mean. Half way it went from bad to worse. The undercurrent was getting heavier and it was now waist deep,unlike the crossings before.My heart started racing and through it all Tom was saying ‘Oh its not that bad we can do it don’t panic’Great words if you’re on the beach.We are two thirds across and my heart is pounding so hard its hurting my chest.My legs are telling a different story. They’re not mine and they don’t want to move. My boots are 500lbs a piece.The shore is so close and the current is tring to turn me around.Tom speaks a bit louder now telling me just one more step-one more step.Hell its tough raising those boots. I figure any second I am going to go under-I am soaked inside my waders from sweat and I have just swallowed my heart-again.Then the next step felt easier and the next easier still. We were going to make it-I wouldn’t drown.As soon as my foot touched the shore Tom gives me that great smile of his and says ‘There ya go-it wasn’t that bad now was it’ and I just looked at him and said’@&^@*&*ever again.Then under my breath I thanked the fishing Gods for keeping us both safe on the crossing.So thats it thats all till the next crossing
Book
- Alaska
- Guide & Fisherman
- Guiding: Choosing Your Guide And Choosing Your Customer
- Guiding: Do It Yourself With A Guide
- Guiding: Evolution Of A Guide
- Guiding: Freshwater, More Than Meets The Eye
- Guiding: Friends For Life
- Guiding: Know Where You Are
- Guiding: More Than Just A Fisherman
- Guiding: Mystery Of The Fisherman
- Guiding: Payment
- Guiding: Saltwater, A Different World
- Rough Fish
- Fly Fishing For Rough Fish: Why Do It?
- Introduced Rough Fish: The Carps & Other Invasive Species
- Methodology: Gear & Tactics For Pursuing Roughfish On A Fly
- More Roughfish: Bullheads, Whitefish, Goldeye, Burbot & Drum
- Rough Fish Environments: Where To Look For Rough Fish?
- Rough Fish Species: The Suckers
- Rough fish: A Lifetime Of Learning
- Rough Fish: Fishing For Dinosaurs (Gars & Bowfin)
- Rough Fish: What Are They?
- The Hook: Some Common Rough Fish Fly Patterns
- Spey
- Spey: Applications, Where Can You Do It?
- Spey: Atlantic Salmon, A Significant Fish
- Spey: Defined And Demystified
- Spey: Gear, The Nuts And Bolts
- Spey: Lines, They Are That Important
- Spey: Steelhead, New Traditions & A Modern Movement
- Spey: The Energy
- Spey: The Flies
- Spey: The Swing
- Spey: Two Critical Casts
- Striped Bass
- Striped Bass: Fishing Rocky Shorelines
- Striped Bass: Fishing The Beaches
- Striped Bass: Fishing The Flats
- Striped Bass: Fishing The Reefs
- Striped Bass: Fishing Tidal Rivers
- Striped Bass: Flatwing Swing
- Striped Bass: Fly Line Options & Choices
- Striped Bass: Gear, The Nuts & Bolts
- Striped Bass: Migration Patterns
- Striped Bass: What They Eat
- The Art Of Escape
- Fly Fishing: A Natural Drug
- Fly Fishing: A Validation Of Freedom
- Fly Fishing: Don’t Fight The Current
- Fly Fishing: It Is What It Is
- Fly Fishing: Socialization For Asocial Individuals
- Fly Fishing: The Allure Of The Fish
- Fly Fishing: The Art Of Escape
- Fly Fishing: The Simplicity Of It All
- Fly Fishing: Time Flies
- Fly Fishing: Times You Remember & Try To Forget
Good story, Janice!
I have crossed the Margaree many times myself and know precisely what you felt that day!
Marsh
I remember that day clearly, I was surprised you crossed.