The general stream trout season has opened and most rivers are running high.

Late snows and lingering rain are to blame.

Finding a decent place to fish means seeking out either lakes,or streams that head in lower elevations. I always keep a few in my hip pocket for just such times.

The lakes are typically planted with hatchery trout. Every now and then you can get into a holdover or maybe even a native. The smaller creeks have their share of native fish. Rarely anything huge, but always beautiful. These native cutts went about 11 or 12 inches and smashed a #14 elk hair caddis.

A small stream in eastern Oregon always requires an annual visit or two.

The browns are an elusive and challenging target but a rainbow can make a surprise visit.

My friend Keith and I both caught a number of browns but Keith scored on the rainbow.

Stopped at the Dosewallips for a quick break and spotted this elk herd hanging out.

They come down into the park and roam the beach from time to time.

Always nice to see.

on the way to Coeur D'Alene

I had to go to Coeur d'Alene for a few days and decided to stop at Rocky Ford along the way.

I managed to fool a few trout with a beetle pattern and enjoyed a sunny afternoon.

The Dosewallips falls. Cold in the shadows but warm in the sun.

The Quinault River. Upstream view with boat. Downstream view has distant waves crashing in the Pacific Ocean. It was very rare February Day on the coast. Sunny and warm!

a long way from anywhere at -20