Hello Everyone,
We are leaving the Green River area where we’ve been camped at Slate Creek for the past few days. We drove from Pinedale, WY on Monday and made our way down to the Fontenelle Reservior and Dam which was quite beautiful. Once we pass that however, the landscape soon became very desert-like and appeared bleak, barren and desolate. I began to wonder what kind of area we’d be camping in after all. We found the campground with out any trouble and discovered a lovely area right next to the creek where we set up camp. This campground has no facilities so we’d be dry camping again. It actually had no access to water either so we had to go down the road a mile to the ‘only‘ store around for miles where we filled our tanks up with water.
After setting up camp we explored for a bit and found another campground which was also lovely and there was nobody camping there! These campgrounds are free and a very quiet with little activity. Ron did some birding and discovered that there were many birds in this area. He actually heard owls that first night and went out to see them but it was too dark. We met a man named Terry who lives across the border in Idaho while we had gone down to the creek to cool off that first afternoon and he gave Ron some useful information on the local fishing.
The next morning I woke early and went outside and there were 10 pelicans in the water in front of us and a family of 5 mule deer feeding. The osprey and gulls were circling overhead spotting for fish. Nighthawks were flying overhead and also roosting in the trees. Then a Great Blue Heron came flying in and the fish were feeding like crazy. Everybody was up for breakfast!! This place is our own Wildlife Kingdom or Nature show!!
We drove to the Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge which was south of where we were staying. We stopped in the headquarters and visitor center which was set up in a manner that provided great education of the wildlife and habitats in the area. The Refuge was built to offset the damage that was done to the area after the dam was built and restored and preserved much needed habitat. There was an entryway that had many bushes that brought in several different hummingbirds and then we went on the back deck where there were scopes set up and found a sage thrasher feeding in the brush. As we walked through the land behind the center we saw birds and ducks in the river but no Cinnamon Teal which Ron had been looking for this trip. Next, we drove down the road to an observation area that we scanned for ducks and birds. Just before that spot we came across a moose and her calf. The mother was actually lying down in the water on the edge to stay cool with her calf beside her; what fabulous luck to get to witness that so close!.
As we worked our way along the Green River, Ron began to scan for fish which was after all the primary reason for this leg of the trip.... We came across a fisherman and spent some time talking to him about his knowledge of the area. According to him, this stretch of the river was some of the best fishing he’s had in his experience. This, of course, intrigued Ron who hadn’t fished it yet! We put it on the to do list for the next day for sure! We continued to explore the Preserve and went around the back side of the river and ended up going on a dirt packed road that they recommend 4 wheel drive to pass through. It was a beautiful area that held flat water and good riffle that needed to be fished at some point in the future.
At one of the stops we came across a family of eagles perched up high in a tree. There were the two mature parents and then off to the other side of the tree was a juvenile; that was the first time we’ve seen a family like that so close! They were magnificent and we spent some time just watching them. As we did, we noticed another eagle further down the river up in a tree and there was the nest right next to him! He must have been the other sibling that belonged with that family... We also saw an otter walking along the bank on the far side of the river.
We thought that we’d be able to cut off across a road to lead back to the Wildlife Center but unfortunately we were wrong. Therefore we’d have to go all the way around the back side of the refuge. As we continued down that road it became a much rougher ride. I have to say, I am really ready to be done with rough, jarring, teeth rattling dirt roads! Towards the back end of the refuge there were a few side roads that weren’t marked and it was not totally apparent which way would be the best. We came across a man who happened to be doing survey work (very handy) and said he was driving out so we should follow him. We ended up on a road (somewhat better than dirt; but not paved which the man described as ‘the best road they have in this area’!)) for a while and ended up and came into camp from another direction over a one lane bridge. I was very happy to get out of the truck and I’m sure Ron was also at that point... We had dinner and relaxed for a while.
The next day, I was not able to do much of anything so I stayed back at camp while Ron went fishing at the Green River by the Refuge. Camp was VERY quiet. I was the only one there that day. I rested and read and recovered for much of the day except for a few stretches to look for birds...There were a few storms around which produced a lot of thunder and lightning and some rain. Ron had at one point, to get out of the river where he was due to impending weather as well. He spent the day fishing with good results. He caught several fish and one beauty; a 21 inch rainbow! He came back from his day content with the new area to fish and was looking forward to getting back there again. Actually, we decided then that we would stay another day so that he could go back and I could try for a fish...
That evening, after dinner we were sitting under the awning due to a few sprinkles now and then and as the evening progressed there was a magnificent rainbow that appeared right in front of us; what a sight! Around 8:00 as dusk began, we started to hear the owls (Great Horned) calling again. They were on both sides of us. Ron used his cheater box (for bird calls) to try to call them in. They were responding back and forth to his calls. he decided to walk down the camp to look for them. I was still low on energy so decided to hang back. However, I decided that I just couldn’t stand it since I’ve seen owls so rarely and went out to join Ron. I saw Ron further down the road in camp as he was calling the owls. The next thing I knew I saw one perched in a tree just off to my right! Then ANOTHER one flew in and landed in a tree to my left no more than 35 feet away!! I was thrilled and so excited I couldn’t stand it! I tried to motion to Ron that they were right there but didn’t want to spook the owls since they are so in tune with movement. Ron finally saw me and worked his way down towards me and we got a chance to study them for a while. I was able to photograph them (thank goodness for our new camera!!) and got some amazing photos. The one closest to me was this years juvenile because his behavior demonstrated this. He did a lot of ‘hopping’ around moving in the tree where as his parent in the other tree simply flew where she needed to be and perched. This young one’s behavior was so fun to watch! It had to be one of the best ‘wildlife‘ moments I’ve ever had...
The next day, we went over to the Green River to fish that spot Ron had success in the day before. We spotted a huge Bull Moose across the other side of the moose feeding away. Unfortunately, there was someone else using the spot we wanted to fish.... So, we went around the back side of the river and walked into another area of nice looking water. Ron helped me into the river (I was still shaky at that point) due to the fact that I was carrying my camera on my back and the current was strong for my wobbly legs :) We kept checking, but thankfully, the moose stayed upstream from us feeding. Once I got positioned in the water, Ron reviewed my technique (we were fishing nymphs which are totally different than dry flys) and I put out several casts. I was started to feel fatigued and hurting from the walk in and maintaining position against the strong current. I was just about to give up and was stripping my line in when I felt a fish on the line. As it turns out I had 3 fish on but was unable to bring them in. At this point I really needed to sit so I slowly worked my way over to a small patch of land in the middle of the river and sat on a rock and rested. I apparently, wasn’t the only thing that had this idea because there was a huge matted down area there that must have been a moose’s bed at one point; great minds think alike :)
As i rested I reflected on the fact that people need to accept their limitations instead of fighting them. I think I’m finally getting this after all these years. It is frustrating however, when I see Ron walking through the water without any difficulty. Although, I always joke with him that he has legs like tree trunks and nature gave me legs like twigs and the recent weight loss certainly hasn’t helped. And finally, on that subject, I want to say that I hope people who are healthy certainly appreciate it and take advantage of all that it offers them....
Ron ended up catching a rainbow in that water and then it was time to get out and head back to the truck for lunch. Afterwards, we went back to the other spot and the other fisherman was gone. Ron and I headed for the water. He helped me cross the river and then we started to fish. I had one good fish on in that area and he fought me the hardest of any fish I’ve had on. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to land him. I still have some work to do learning how to land big fish. They require a technique that I haven’t had a lot of experience with since although I’ve has some good fish in the past there haven’t been a lot of quantity of them. It was pretty neat though to feel how hard they fight! We were told that they are all wild fish in this part of the river, which I’ve learned, can explain why these fish fight so hard. I headed back to shore where I relaxed while Ron fished some more and he caught one fish and lost a few others.
He came back to join me at the edge of the water and we thought about trying out the ripple just upstream from us. We headed that way and the next thing I know (I’m looking down paying attention to where I’m placing my feet) I hear Ron call out to look ahead. That big bull moose had crossed the river to the other side and was walking down the river’s edge in our direction. Now there’s one problem with that. We HAVE to get to that side to get out of the river where the truck is parked! Of course I get all excited and Ron tells me to calm down and we begin to cross the river diagonally away from where the moose is. You have to remember, the rule is that you don’t argue with bull moose (or any wildlife for that matter), he gets to decide where he wants to go and then you have to work your route around him :) As it turns out, he decided to bed down in the willows along the edge of the river. He watched us as much as we watched him! The thing is, the way he was set at the base of the back you could be driving or walking along the road or edge of the river and never know he was there! That’s why you have to constantly scan and be aware of what’s going on around you in these surroundings at all times! We went back to the truck and removed our waders (it had gotten quite warm) and started back toward camp.
We relaxed at camp, had dinner and then tried to call the owls in again but they weren’t interested this time. I did however, see a mink or a juvenile otter walking along the other side of the creek across from camp. It was getting dark so it was hard to tell. Either way it was neat to watch.
It was time to clean up and organize camp because we were headed out of there the next morning. This was our last adventure of our trip. We are headed home... It’s rather bittersweet, because I’ve had the time of my life and Ron and I have shared many great experiences on this trip but I miss my family and friends.... The memories of this adventure will last a lifetime!
We are headed East on I 80 and will spend the night in Laramie of Cheyenne and catch up on doing chores. Back to civilization.....
Pictures to Follow....
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