This past October, I kicked off my birthday by flying to Island Park, ID to fish with Karlie Roland at TroutHunter Lodge.
In past years, I’ve fished more times than I can count on the Clearwater, Grande Ronde, Snake, and Salmon rivers in Idaho, but had never once been to the other side of the state to fish. I had even trout-fished the Western side of Montana’s rivers– close to Island Park, but that was as close as I had been. Needless to say, I was stoked to go fish with Karlie, and check out this new part of Idaho!
I had a heads up that the conditions would be much colder than earlier peak times on the Henry’s Fork, but that didn’t stop me from heading out. Plus, it seemed I had somehow lucked out with the one “warm” break in the weather.
Luckily, I arrived before the major snow fall did. Upper 40’s was warm compared to what it had been just the week I got there, and less than a week after I left– talk about timing it right.
TroutHunter had a shuttle service available to transport me from Idaho Falls airport to the lodge, which was about 1.5 hours away.
I arrived at the lodge around 7:30 in the evening and got settled into my cozy room that faced the river, which was conveniently located above the restaurant/bar and the fly shop. Within 30 minutes, I found myself seated at the bar of the restaurant, talking to the local patrons, fly-fishers, and regulars, enjoying a delicious meal and a cold beverage.
The next morning, I met Karlie in the same spot I was seated at the night before to have breakfast and make a plan for the day.
The air was chilly, but the sun was out, and I was just happy to be out trout fishing for the first time in years. I knew the rivers out here were famous for their brown and rainbow trout, and I couldn’t wait to see what we would come up with that day…
Within the first 30 minutes of the float, I was hooked up, and Karlie was netting my first rainbow in the Henry’s Fork river.
SWEET!
I immediately felt satisfied with the trip, as for me, catching one fish meant it was a successful day. I know trout fishing is a lot different than winter steelhead fishing, but my mindset never changes. Every fish I get to feel take hold of any fly I cast out, is exhilarating no matter what.
So, when I had another fish on only a few minutes later, I was over the moon.
Karlie was visibly pleased and Grizz (her trusty black lab) was excitedly wagging his tail, but calmly observed, as I reeled and Karlie netted. He clearly was used to this.
Yeah, I could get used to this too.
While I was casting and stripping line for more grabs, Karlie was working the drift boat like a champ behind the oars.
I had another fish on about half way down the float, but because I hooked it right before some rapids, Karlie had to maneuver us carefully through—avoiding boulders and working through the bumpy fast current— as I tried to keep the fish on and fight it until we could reach the calmer area. Unfortunately, the fish came off right before we reached a spot where we could safely net it, but it was a hell of a ride and a fight to remember.
The work that goes into Karlie’s boat handling, is more than notable. She would either have to row against the current to slow down through the certain parts of the run, or even get out of the boat and walk behind it, so she could control the speed more precisely and sometimes even walk the boat back upstream, if the water was juicy enough to have another go at.
This woman is a BOSS with her guiding techniques and abilities, and for those who haven’t fished with her before, you need to. At only 27-years-old, you’d think she’s been doing this for longer than she’s been alive– seriously impressive. And, she’s a hoot to hang out with on a river or off.
So, if you’re headed out to Island Park next season, make sure you get a day or two in with her if she’s available. I certainly plan to go back!
Now that it’s December, I’m looking forward to seeing her on THIS side of the country in the coming months, in search of the other kind of trout…
Cheers for now,
~Lisa
PNW Gal On The Fly 