I was looking on Craigslist for garage sales in the area and came across a post that had a drift boat for sale. With no intention of buying a boat I decide to take a look anyway, to see if there's something we need.
She was resting in the back of the yard among barrels of garbage, broken down cars, rusty jet boats that hadn't been on the water in years. She had no sign of leakage or abuse just needed a little TLC. The seller, not a fisherman at all, if fact, afraid of the water. He bought the boat from his daughter to help her get a little extra money to move. The price was right and heck she will make a fantastic John Day ride. As Marty said "you can't have to many boats." Another addition to the Little Creek fleet, number nine.
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We had one mission in mind, row to the best steelhead run and stake our claim. This is what we did. We round a bend and the camp Marty had in mind was open! Battling wind gust, we manage to set up camp, stake down the tent and entertain Tegan with rocks. We take turns fishing the run, getting our feet wet and back in the grove, this doesn't take much time. That evening we walk down river. The wind is howling. Looking up stream all I see is multiple tumble weeds, tumbling on the surface of the water. I wait for a break in-between wind gust and tumble weeds to make my cast. My line rolls out and swings between dried weeds and white caps roll over the Delta with breaking force. "BAM!" FISH ON! The adrenaline rushes through me, my heart is racing, first wild Deschutes Steelhead of the season! We have a restless night listening to the tent flapping in the wind. The wind gusts are so strong the tent cave in almost touching my nose. And I listen to the wind moving down stream like a freight train.
Day three, we wake to calm skies, and glassy water. Marty puts coffee on and I wader up. I sip coffee and walk up steam to start fishing. The glorious taste of bitter black coffee on the river is a wonderful way to start a day. My streak is still on and half way through the run, another steelhead is lured by the Red Back. Fish On! Next, Marty fishes through and hooks one his first cast out. The fishing has been unbelievable, we pack camp and contemplate our intention to row out. We take an inventory of what food we have left. One package of breakfast sausage, one bagel, a fourth of a block of cheese and watermelon, three granola bars, coffee, and five diapers. We decide if the other camp is open we will make our decision then, to stay or go. We pass anglers on the way fighting fish and my mind is already made up. We get to the next camp and say, “What else are we going to do? Lets stay another night.”
It's mid afternoon, I rig up a rod and go fishing. I see a boat in the distance, it’s a gal, by her self, she had hooked a fish as we where rowing past her earlier in the day. I decide to ask if she could spare some food and it turns out she's a gal I meet at the Spey Clave in May, Dorothy. It stokes me to see more women getting on the river and taking charge. Dorothy spares us three yogurts, pop tarts, cous cous salad and five beers. That night brought smiles, a hatchery fish, and tired eyes. 
The next morning Marty packed camp and I enjoyed still waters and landed two more Steelhead. We contemplate staying but responsibilities hold us back. We row out, reminiscing about the trip and talk about when we can do it again. We catch up with Dorothy on the way out and find out she has landed two more. I think the best way to fish is to be spontaneous, if you have the chance.
And a bit of that...
Using that..............
To catch a bunch of these!!!!!
and tailed mega amounts of that......
