I made my first trip of the year into the sacred land yesterday after work. As usual I had a bunch of dirty hillbillies staring me down on the way in but had the last mile of dirt road to myself and was happy to find nobody around while I parked my truck and jumped the no trespassing sign in to the old man's property. Always a little nerve racking at the beginning trying to slip unnoticed down below the cow pond but once I hit the bottom of the first drop I relaxed and had a pleasant hike down singing along the way (Signs signs every where signs fuggin up the scenery breaking my mind do this don't do that cant you read the signs, sign says anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight so I jumped the fence and yelled to the house hey what gives you the right!). I'm guessing I arrived at the edge of Deep Creek around 5 o'clock and as is my custom I took a knee at the waters edge and gave thanks to what ever gods were listening for the opportunity to see this place once again. After my short prayer I crossed Deep Creek and started up O'Neil and found my hidden camp site above the river. I dropped my pack, strung my pole and started fishin. My first cast I caught a fish. My second cast I completely redeemed myself and snapped my fly off in a tree. The next couple of hours was spent in pretty much the same fashion. As usual the fishing was insane and if you threw out a half way decent line you had a fish. I caught around 15 only because I fish poorly and waste a lot of time. Most of you would have snagged 40. I finally tired out and headed back to set up camp and cook the 3 fish I kept for diner. The dog and I spent the night around the fire staring at the shadows of the towering cliffs and watching the stars come in and out of view as the clouds rolled overhead. In the morning I fished just for a bit before throwing my pack on and heading out. The hike out was quick with complete cloud cover and a cool breeze. I was happy to find my truck as I had left it and with nobody around I jumped in and started home. I passed a lot of land owners on the way out and I thought of a fool proof plan for not being bothered on my next trip . It will take a filthy black felt cowboy hat a 20 year old rusty horse trailer with cow shit dripping steadily out the back and I will blend in just fine.
