What a treat it has to get away the last two weeks, to two excursion to the peaceful Thompson River.
I now find the Fraser Valley so conjested with traffic and most people are in such a rush to get to where they are going. Our highways and local roads have not kept up with the rapid population and building growth. I cannot wait to get away these days.
The trip through the Fraser Canyon has so much to see, if one takes the time to view it. As I have mentioned many times it is so steep in history, first occupied by the First Nations at least 9,000 years ago. I always enjoy looking at some of the pit houses they lived in for part of the year, to gather their supply of the bountiful salmon. I wonder how long these pit houses were occupied and what happened to the last occupants. It sure would be interesting to be able to go back to this times, in a time machine.
As I look at the canyon walls of the Fraser River below I imagine Simon Fraser going by these steep rock cliffs as he must have wondered what lay ahead for him and his men, then the gold seekers that followed and now us, travelling over the same ground they tread. At the same time I am thankful for the river that has given me the fish this season, I donot take these fish and the river for granted, thats for sure. I try to honour them both.
Some truck traffic and many private vehicles are in such a rush to get to where they are going so I pull over a few times each trip, to just let them go by. I guess maybe I am just one of those old drivers I used to laugh at and say why are you holding me up.
Age of course changes one's attitude on so many of life's issues.
I finally have talked my wife in taking one of the many fishing trips I have made this year. Trips that have supplied us with enjoyable fresh chinooks for the good part of 3 months, it took lots of hours and exploring to do so. Of course to me that is part of the enjoyment to fishing but of course retirement gives one that opportunity to do that.
As we leave Boston Bar and reach the summit of Jackass Mountain we start to see the vegetation change, in each passing mile. Gas at Lytton is usually the first stop on the trip, we view the chocolate colour of the mighty Fraser and the clear waters of the Thompson as they meet at The Forks as Lytton was one called. The reaction Ferry is busy, just above where the rivers join, must take that trip across one day again and go up to the Stein River and the valley of the same name. One can not but notice the Thompson's crystal green water being quickly gobbled up by her bigger sister.
We now are in sage brush country, how I love that sweet smell, the clear sky, the grey colored cliffs above the rapids of the river, only the recent pine beetle kill spoils it all. The people of this area are so relaxed, friendly, they make you feel welcome.
During the trip we see osprey, bighorn sheep, eagles, magpies, red colored sockeye flipping in the pockets of calm waters, a beaver, a bear be it dead after being hit by a truck, many rafters shooting the Jaws of Death, the Frog and many others. I also see tons of grasshoppers in the dry desert like environment.
Taking of hoppers I had fun catching some in a net and then seeing if a rainbow might go after them on a hook which they did on my first cast, a feisty 15 incher. Another big one was lost and then another the same lenght as the first also took a liking to a hopper just as daylight was fading, the end of another perfect day. I know I should be trying fly fishing for them like Rodney but next time. I am a beek at fly fishing unless I have The Master to guide me.
A few jack springs added to the pleasure of the trip with many pictures and video taken of all the sights and sounds the mighty Thompson area has to offer. I then can relive these memories in the future, of a trip to sage brush country, give it a try one day, I am sure you will enjoy it like I do. I certainly cannot wait until I can do that trip again.
I hope you enjoyed the return of The Journal, be it a fairly short one, shorter that I usually pen.
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Topic: Heading North To The Thompson (Read 4918 times)