Yellowstone Trip Day 3

Fishing was the objective of the second day in Yellowstone. Ammon's Dad rented a boat and we went fishing on Yellowstone Lake. Ammon's dad was hoping to relive some past trips that were spent with Ammon's Grandpa Hedin. However, the area they used to fish in is now off limits. The fishing rules guidebook-- which only I read--said that cutthroat trout (the native species) were to be caught and released, but lake trout (an invasive species that fed on cutthroat trout) were to be killed even if you didn't want to keep them. Taylie thought this rule was a little harsh, and refused to even touch a fishing pole. My fishing consisted of Ammon casting out the line and me reeling it in two or three times before I grew bored of getting no results. This was probably for the best because only Ammon and his dad had a fishing permit. After three short hours on the lake our time was up and there had been only one possible bite and no fish flopping around in our boat (much to Taylie's relief).







After dropping off the boat at the docks, we drove around the lake a ways and pulled off at a picnic spot to try fishing off the shore. I wasn't too sure about the choice of fishing locations. I read a sign nearby that said that whole end of the lake was the hottest thermal active spot in Yellowstone and there were geysers on either side of the picnic area down the shore a ways.

My unease grew when a random buffalo came walking into the area that was getting nervous because of all the cars crowding it to take pictures. Luckily we didn't fall into any thermal pool and the buffalo didn't charge. The fishermen in the family weren't as lucky so we headed back to camp.


But the fishing didn't stop there. Later that day Ammon decided to test the waters of the lake at our campground. He noticed a long sandbar a ways off shore that would be a good place to stand and fish. We had brought our newly patched raft (damaged from floating the Narrows). Only Ammon was determined enough to take the raft out into the freezing water to test the patch job he had done. Off he went in the raft rowing with both paddles with the fishing pole hanging off the side.



patched inflatable raft + sharp fishing hook trailing behind + water that could give you hypothermia = something only Ammon would try

He did make it to the sandbar without any incident, leaving the other hopeful fisherman stuck on the shore a little jealous I'm sure. He didn't stay long however before he got back in the boat and rowed back to shore. I was sure he must have miraculously caught a fish because I knew he wouldn't give up so soon. As it turns out he returned due to a "equipment malfunction". I spent quite a bit of time that night detangling fishing line.



I guess the lady who handed Ammon and Kerry their fishing licenses as the boat was rented knew what she was talking about: "Remember that you are fishing not catching"
Or maybe there is a greater conspiracy going on at Yellowstone: NO FISH IN THE LAKE