Reestablishing my original plan, I headed toward WY. I learned two things on my drive: 1.) My new truck needed it’s first oil change that needed to be done by a GMC dealer and I was in the middle of nowhere and… 2.) Wyoming has a lot of free-range livestock.
As I reached the top of a hill a truck coming from the other direction flashed their lights at me. I assumed there was a speed trap ahead and slowed down. It turns out they were trying to warn me about the sheep crossing. Keep in mind I’m on a major highway connecting CO and WY; this wasn’t just some farm road.
And this is Trigger’s usual travel mode. He slept through the whole event on his bed in the back seat of the truck. Spoiled Border Collie.
It was great to see and be directly in the middle of the crossing. It reminded my when Meg and I were in New Zealand.
We’ve also had the same experience with cattle in Panama.
Back to the truck… As boring as it is, travel requires maintenance. I was lucky there was a GMC dealer, also in the middle of nowhere, that could change the oil first thing tomorrow morning.
After the truck is ready, my plan is to push harder to the Southern Oregon Coast for the Salmon runs.
Fishing the Green River, WY:
Although an extremely beautiful river that looks ideal for angling, there is currently a ton of moss and hydrilla. Most people fishing this area are using drift boats. I’ve been on numerous drift boats in the pacific northwest, and they provide one of the most productive, scenic and peaceful fishing/ nature experiences available.
However, talking to the guides at our campsite, they all agreed the fishing was extremely tough based on the amount of moss freely flowing down the river. Nymph fishing basically is basically impossible. I tried a topwater that enticed a large strike, but missed.
Since I’m extended here for another day due to the truck, I thought I might try a different tactic: mouse on the fly rod. I have two large mice flies and for whatever reason, have not tried them. I’m not sure why? When we were in the South Island of NZ, a local trout shop had pictures of Brown Trout that were cleaned and had 5 plus mice in their bellies. I figure, top water flies are my only option at this point, so why not… We’ll see.
Tackle update… Just searched the tackle I brought and I do not have mouse’s/ mice… Apparently I am just that intimidated of the fly… So, I guess I buying two more mice.