What The Fly Rod Saw

By Jack Campbell

The fly rod, your constant companion sees it all, through travels, slips, falls and moments of glory. Author, Jack Campbell, following his first publication, Flexibility and Duct Tape, has reached out to his fellow travelers to share some of their memorable times with their trusted companion. The short stories cover their worldly treks from stalking Marble trout in Slovenia, Robalo in Patagonia, Redfish in Florida , to Pike in Alaska and beyond. Each of the contributors have their own style and tempo, making the short stories unique and entertaining. Join them in their journeys and find out what the fly rod saw.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jack Campbell
• Release date: Apr 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311925534

Jack Campbell

Jack Campbell is the pseudonym for John G. Hemry, a retired Naval officer and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. As Jack Campbell, he writes The Lost Fleet series of military science fiction novels. He also wrote the Stark’s War and JAG in Space series under his real name.

Book preview

What The Fly Rod Saw

by Jack Campbell

Contributors: Mike Bender, George Phillips, Mike McQuiston, Dan Watson, Fred Foisset, Bruce Watson, Ryan Campbell, John Ingram

Copyright

Copyright © 2015 Jack Campbell

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission from the author.

Published in the United States of America

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Who, What, When, Where and Why

Punta Allen, Tulum Municipality, Mexico

Hams Fork, Below Kemmerer Reservoir, Wyoming

Der Weisse Traun, Eisenarzt, Germany

Loreto, Baja Mexico

St. Johns River Delta, Jacksonville, Florida

Togiak River, Dillingham Census Area, Alaska

Antelope Creek, Shasta County, California

Clark Fork, Montana

Owenmore River, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Green River, Flaming Gorge, Utah

Tolomato River, St. Augustine, Florida

Renihue River, Chaiten, Chile

Kupa River, Croatia

Hermosa Creek, Durango, CO.

Margaree River, Nova Scotia, Canada

Lakes District, Northern Patagonia, Chile

Slovenia

Deschutes River, Oregon

Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

To be Announced

Foreword

A fly rods journey around the world and the stories it told

Somewhere away from the bustle of the big city rests a small fishing cabin with plywood walls, a slanting floor, and no running water. Elsewhere, a small campfire burns on a solitary creekside of a remote forest. I am guessing that you can close your eyes and picture a time and place where you were never happier at one or both of these places. A place where stars glimmer above the outlined tips of tall pine trees backed by pitch black skies. The crackle of dry pine logs, or the hissing from a gas stove and dull clanking of cast iron pots and pans. Somewhere amidst these most soothing sounds, there was a story being told.

As someone who has planned or participated in hundreds of fly fishing trips around the world, there might be no one better equipped than Jack to marshal a group of comrades and gather stories. His first book, Flexibility and Duct Tape, was a fun project, and a success. It gave us all a glimpse of fishing adventures through the lens of the Wagon Master.

Here, in What a Fly Rod Saw, Jack has been able to do what Jack does best. Collect, organize, and mobilize, a great group of friends. What a Fly Rod Saw is Jack’s campfire book, where a group of worldly travelers have their chance to shine as the great storytellers they are.

Within this collection of stories, I think you will experience the quest of any great fly rod, hooking and landing the next trophy fish. But fortunately, the most rewarding part of that journey can be the time spent with friends and the stories collected and stories shared. I think you will enjoy this diverse collection of stories from the passionate people that make trips memorable. They are all connected. Not though the where and when of travel, but by the quest of their fly rod, and the camaraderie of their friendships.

Ryan Campbell

Who, What, When, Where and Why

Author - Jack

I am lucky to be surrounded by a group of individuals that are willing to go anywhere, anytime, without out all the high end amenities required, nor offered by most fly fishing lodges. In Duct Tape, I purported our group to be the swashbucklers of fly fishing, load up the pick-up, grab the rods, a case or two of adult beverage, and head for water, any water, anywhere. Out of this go anywhere/anytime group of eight amigos, there are always three or four who have open schedules, a get out of jail free card from the wife, not currently on crutches or otherwise disposed, and can have their bags packed at a moments notice. Fits my desire to go far and away, explore new lands and unusual waters, have a few beers, laugh a bit, catch a few fish, tell some stories, enjoy their company, and have an experience

When I assemble a trip to somewhere, interest was always keen, details requested, questions asked by many. It always amazes me how few of our fly fishing brethren are interested in expanding their realm beyond some 12 inch fish and a three hour drive. Put together a two week package to an exotic land, for less than the cost of a high end bamboo rod and quality reel, and things change with most folks. It’s never about the cost. My legs get stiff sitting on an airplane on long flights, well it's the only way your’re going to see the world. Two weeks is more time than I can afford, hey your retired, if I’m going 5,000 miles away I’m going stay a while and enjoy. Joe and I have a trip planned to Blah Blah Lake, it’s only 3 hours away, OK usual fish, usual place, Zzzzzz. But not within our group, they are always ready to go.

Thus I solicited members of my worldly traveled group to provide some of our camp fire stories expounding on what their fly rod saw. I have probably fished in hundreds of locations over the years, from New Zealand to Alaska, Iceland to Chile, Bosnia to Baja, you get the idea. So I though it only fitting to let the lads choose some of their favorite travel adventures they had with their fly rod casting fur and feather. No restrictions, no genre, no college grammar requirements, however they choose to write, in their own style, in their own words, like a camp fire story.

Where else to begin our journey through the eyes of the fly rod other than Pesca Maya Lodge, Ascension Bay, Mexico. The only fishing location that all nine of us have visited at one time or another over the years. I thank those who contributed, and provided us all with a wonderful time telling their stories, recalling fond memories. Come along, join us, sit by the camp fire, and enjoy the tales.

The Contributors - Name, general hang out, nom de plume, bio

John Ingram - Bend, OR - John - Retired Delta Airlines Captain - Flew all over the world for 25+ years. Provides us his vast European knowledge on flights, inns, cheap bars, brewhauses, and local homemade schnapps. Has been known to break a fly rod over his knee on occasion.

Mike Bender - Sisters, OR - Bender - Retired engineer - Help put satellites in orbit, a man on the moon, but still can’t back his Tracker Pro 175 down the boat ramp successfully. Always has a thousand stories, oft repeated, in 20 years never seen him in long pants.

Fred Foisset - Sunriver, OR - Fred - Owner of The Hook Fly Shop, and Cascade Guides & Outfitters. Our expert in beer can chicken, Hungarian dumplings, mojo and undoing them science projects that frequently happen with an indicator, 2 flies and split shot (cut it off).

Ryan Campbell - Cupertino, CA - Ryan - Executive, Pure Matter Advertising Agency. Provides the youthful spirit, wit, strength and infinite knowledge others lack since he still retains more brain cells than the rest of us combined and his muscles haven’t atrophied.

Bruce Watson - San Jose, CA - Bruce - Cabinet Maker - Our fire builder extrodinare, can make anything burn. The fixer of small mechanical devices along the way. Always the first to sign up, the last to get packed, most likely to get lost in an airport.

Mike McQuiston - Picolata, FL - McQuiston - Retired Navy and American Airline Pilot - The redneck among us, only he with the help of George Dickel can tie high quality spoon flies on an industrial size plumbers vice. Never met a slot Redfish he couldn’t eat, nor a cigar he couldn’t smoke.

Dan Watson - Newark, CA - Bro Dan - Retired Marine Biologist - The scientist in residence for all our travels providing flora & fauna identifications. Spent two years wintered over in Antarctica so it’s difficult to get him overly concerned about leaky waders and lumpy sleeping bags.

Jack Campbell - San Jose, CA - Jack - Retired ne’er-do-well. The Wagon Master on most trips, planning, plotting, and arranging. Author and Editor in Chief of this most worthy project.

George Phillips - Seattle, WA - Jorge - Account Executive, Morgan Stanley - The Poet Laureate in the group always has stories to tell on everybody at the end of a trip. Ex-navy Pilot, propensity to make any boat tippy, especially float-a-boats.

Punta Allen, Tulum Municipality, Mexico

Lodging: Pesca Maya Lodge

Fishermen: Jorge, Bruce, Ryan, McQuiston, Bender, Fred, Jack, Bro Dan, John

Author: Jack

She was a beauty, a Mexican cutie, how she got here we haven’t a clue.(1) But she was part of our Margaritaville. With short black hair, a rounded figure, shinny white teeth, but a bit on the grumpy side at times. Bruce had become quite enamored with her during one of our early visits to the Pesca Maya Lodge. It was located in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve at the end of the Boca Paila peninsula. He stroked her hair, served her food with loving care, cajoled and caressed her. Bruce nicknamed her Cochina since she was considered part of the kitchen staff. The affair was rather brief since our stay at the Lodge was only for one week.

Upon our return the following year, again in search of Bonefish, Tarpon, and the elusive Permit, Bruce was sadly informed that his first true love Cochina was no longer part of the Lodge. Apparently she had bitten a guest on the leg, so was quickly dispatched, cleaned, roasted and served up for dinner. You see Cochina was a Peccary, also known as a Javelina. The medium size hoofed animal, resembling a pig, native to the southwestern area of North America and throughout Central and South America. Alas poor Cochina he knew her, Bruce; a lass of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; she hath borne him on her back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in his imagination it is!(2)

Bruce stroking his first love Cochina

Thus one of the many tales of panga rides, swirls of beer and tequila, sand fleas, broken outboard engines, and fishing first, experienced on the lands and in the waters of Ascension Bay. To experience such wonders of nature being offered on this quiet secluded part of the Yucatan Peninsula, one must endure the famous thirty miles of bad, or should I say very very bad road. It was a first for everyone.

Upon leaving the Cancun airport, with it’s five star resorts lining the Caribbean beaches made famous by the Spring Break college crowd, the drive along Highway 307 is pleasant for about 130 kilometers. At Tulum it’s wise to take a break and visit the Mayan ruins located cliffside over looking the sea. Back in the mid 90’s when we first started our annual treks south of the border, there were only a few scattered vendors offering simple trinkets, and beer. The beer vendors seemed to always collect most of our pesos.

Before you make the left turn onto the dirt road, it’s wise to cinch up any loose clothing, put on one of those waist/stomach belt things that moving company men wear. Any troublesome internal organs need be held tight with ace bandages,