Yuku free message boards

Hey Everyone...

I was told about this post so it seems like a perfect place for my first contribution. Anyway, I left out of Cotter in redneck fashion, heading out in the middle of the night (I hear normal folks don't do this). I had a lot of reasons for leaving, and those who know me can tell you I was extremely burnt out on guiding and the rivers in general. Don't get me wrong, I love Arkansas, but I'm sure all of you know where I'm coming from. I mean, how many times do you need to drive to BSD just to have the water start once you're into your first few casts before you quit going (on one's own)? I started to see something that was a passion become a chore, and believe me, it's disheartening. Then you throw in the economy, years of high water, and diminishing ethics on the water, and I knew it was time for a change.

So I moved to Boise Idaho to check it out and hang with a "long-lost" cuz. It's been a wonderful experience so far even though my wife and I haven't really done much yet. Just riding along the river through town on my bike is a great improvement from spending Ozark summer's sitting on my %$@ trying to stay cool...the dry heat out here is not bad at all (especially relative to the Midwest). I've been fly fishing quite a bit on several rivers within an hour and a half from downtown Boise...one for browns and one for 'bows. They are both pretty amazing, and anglers from Arkansas will do well as the local tailwaters here fish very similarly. Message me if you want to talk specifics. There is a pretty nice tailwater running through town on the Boise River, and I've actually pulled some nice wild fish out of there. You won't catch a bunch, but it's pretty amazing to catch anything decent on a river in a 200,000 person town (and that's not counting the suburbs of Nampa and Meridian). With some regs, the Boise River could be the finest urban trout fishery in the US...the habitat is solid. I can't wait to explore more of this incredibly diverse state of Idaho, but it will have to wait until we get a little more mobile. And still, Boise is as good as any place to be with limited resources because of all the free recreation and low costs of living.

I really hope to reconnect with some of you on here, and I'll try and throw in my 2cents where appropriate. Currently I just started a sales job selling an awesome fly fishing raft. I will post more on the classifieds forum. If you ever think you may be in the market for a soft fly fishing raft, you might want to check this out. I've got some other things in the works as well, including a few writing projects. It's not much but it's something. I never say never, but I don't see myself guiding in Arkansas again, but I guess you never know. Visiting is still an option and I'll let y'all know when I am heading that way (my wife's from Marshall so I guess I can't stay away forever). Please don't hesitate to drop me a line and best wishes to everyone.

Gabe
http://www.streamtechboats.com

I think the guide burnout was more or less due to my personality. It started getting repetitive and that shouldn't happen if the passion is still there. So I started to question whether guiding was a calling. The verdict is still out on that. The comment on the White was more a reflection or metaphor for the frustration I felt when trying to maintain my personal fishing. All rivers are hard in the same way all golf courses are hard. You remember, I used to be out there alone everyday until two or three years ago.

The Inland Northwest (Idaho/Montana) is known for legendary trout rivers mainly in a corridor from Idaho through Yellowstone and into Southwest Montana. I've never been but I can't wait to go. I fear that the crowds and throngs of drift boats will sour me, but then I remember that I used to fish the Norfork Dam area all the time in low water. If I ever see anything more disgusting than the "Gene's Display" on a river again I'll never go outside for the rest of my life. Now close to Boise there are two tailwaters not known like the Henry's Fork, Madison, or Bighorn. The average size fish is as good as anywhere. Silver Creek and the Wood River system is about two hours away. From what I hear, the fishing really gets good and peaceful as you go north into the Sawtooths.

What you must keep in mind about Boise is that the climate is mild and dry unlike in eastern Idaho where the famous fishing is. The elevation is only 2000 ft. here. Summers are warm and dry, winters are mild (highs in the upper 30's in Jan.) and sometimes damp. 14-inches annually is the precip. So there are year round opportunities out here rivaled only in...Arkansas. The reason I'm not announcing rivers to the world is that this info is all out there for the taking and with Boise's good airport, these places are literally no more than eight hours from the entire US population. Kinda crazy, huh?

Feel free to look me up anytime, and try and make it over to the west side when out here. You will not be disappointed. The encouragement is also appreciated. I know all about that hole in my old boat and I'm happy it's not really my problem or a big problem.

Thanks for the reply,

Gabe