Today was our first full day in Revelstoke and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. As Karen mentioned yesterday, I purchased a fishing license so we put it to good use this morning by heading to the banks of the Columbia River at 7:30 a.m.
It was just a short walk from our campsite to the river bank so we grabbed my fishing gear, coffees, breakfast, bug spray, our camp chairs, and the Needy Bichon and got to walking. We thought the bugs would be better in the morning but they absolutely were not. The little sons-a-bitches were awake and ready for business. We both donated to the cause on the stroll to the river.
After setting up on a rocky bank of the Columbia, we promptly doused ourselves in bug repellent which definitely did the trick. I hate the feel and smell of repellant but it sure beats getting eaten alive. So I baited up my first hook with a big, juicy nightcrawler which, to that point, had been happily living in a small container in our fridge (much to the dismay of Karen.)
Now, we had walked down to this same point yesterday afternoon to gauge the water level. This morning, however, the river’s edge was decidedly further out than yesterday, exposing much more rock. Strange, as this river isn’t tidal. Oh well, I cast my line in and expected to hook a massive fish right away. During our time there, the river slowly started to rise, the water pushing us back further. It was then we realized that this river is fed by a massive dam just a couple miles upstream. Clearly water was being released.
I loved fishing when I was young. My dad would take me and me friends before any of us could drive. We’d head out to Twin Lakes (in Western Pennsylvania) or to the Youghiogheny or Monongahela rivers. It was a great time, and my dad certainly loved it. What a great bonding experience before I really took up golf.
Except that he hated fishing. He admitted this to me later in life. He only did it because I liked it so much. My world was rocked! And then when he confessed that he also didn’t like hockey, wrestling, or tractor pulls, I wondered, “Who the hell is this man?” I mean, how could anyone not love a good tractor pull?? I also wondered how much of a hillbilly I actually was (am?).
Suffice to say I enjoyed fishing. Having fun doing something, however, doesn’t mean you’re good at it. And I am really not good at fishing. As my lifelong friend Dean can attest to after taking me fly fishing for trout. Dean was pulling fish out left and right. I couldn’t catch a damn thing. And the worst part was I could SEE the stupid trout, lulling on the bottom of the shallow, narrow stream. They mocked me and refused to impale themselves on my meager offerings. They saw weakness and exploited it.
Anyway, I digress. My score today came up right on par with my history. I caught nothing. Several worms gave their lives today, slowly drowning in the freezing mountain water, for nothing. But you know what? I still loved it! The smell of the water, the feel of the worms, the fishing rod in my hand – it all took me back to my youth.
After returning to Livvy, we spent the day outside, reading and puzzling, moving our chairs to keep out of the sun. It was incredibly relaxing. For dinner we made the 1.6 mile walk into downtown Revelstoke and made for a restaurant called “The Village Idiot.” It was exactly what we like. Super casual with an awesome bar. We could not imagine what this place is like during ski season, once the slopes clear out for the day! I’m sure it’s suds and shotskis galore.
Online reviews mentioned excellent pizza, so we ordered that for dinner. Of course we had to have a couple of local beers as well. The pizza was wonderful, and we even have leftovers for lunch or dinner tomorrow. As a second drink course, Karen switched to Chardonnay and I went with a Bloody Caesar. Except this was their own, spicier, version. It was so good that I think I shall never have a Bloody Mary again.
We have some cool things planned for tomorrow, so watch for Karen’s post then. And if you have little ones in your life, take them fishing and tell them you like it. Even if you don’t. Because they will remember that you took them.
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