We headed out late on a snowy Friday in February with plans for steelhead and stars, and neither was looking too promising. Brand new telescope packed away in the back seat, we hoped to get a chance to see what it would do, but obviously you need clear skies to see the stars. Steelhead, well, who knows. It is getting late in the season, but we were headed a ways up river, and I figure you can’t win if you don’t play!
We arrived after dark at Priest Hole and settled in for the night. We had the place nearly to ourselves, with one other camp a bit downriver that left the next morning. The river had a jump in flows in the day or two before our arrival, but was on the fall. Maybe a good sign? I haven’t ever targeted steelhead on the John Day and have always been on it in the warmer months chasing the plentiful bass. I think I still have a bit to figure out, but what a beautiful place to spend the weekend!
We spent the day in search of fish to no avail. But, watching the river flow through this colorful landscape was a great consolation prize.
As the day wound down the sky was looking clear enough for a bit of star gazing so the telescope came out. I probably could have spent twice the amount of time pondering the stars, but once my feet started turning to popsicles we called it a night. We had a pretty good tour of the sky, including the full moon, and I have to say I am going to be looking forward to clear summer nights staring at the heavens.
The next morning was more of the same, more casting, not so much catching. The temps climbed up near 60, there was practically nobody around, and hey we’re camping in February! It doesn’t get much better. Now, on to meteorological spring, which started the day after our trip concluded, so, happy spring to you!
