Ever since Rogue River guide Dave Roberts and I ran into each other on the Upper Sac (both of us casting bamboo fly rods and wondering who that other idiot was), we’ve been fast friends.
He was Best Man at my wedding, his duties largely confined to quick-drawing a flask of Irish Whiskey at opportune moments, keeping the dive bombers in my stomach calm and relaxed.
Dave Roberts, now guiding fulltime on the Upper Rogue
We still fish together whenever possible, which isn’t anywhere as often as it should be. That’s why you’re about to experience a shameless plug for his new guiding Web site, which even includes a blog.
Of course, everyone who meets Dave knows he loves to tell stories, and for that matter, everyone has their favorite Dave story.
Mine (fortunately) involves a big fish, so at least it’s printable.
We were fishing a more technical stretch of the Upper Sacramento, and I hooked a good fish. A real good fish.
Like a lot of big trout, it didn’t realize the danger at first, and came within a few feet of me before waking up and bolting downriver.
I stood there dumbfounded (I thought it was a little guy), watching the fly line exit the reel at an ungodly rate.
Suddenly, it was gone, replaced by that weird, skinny backing, and Roberts gave me a nudge, pointed where the fly line disappeared into the water, and said “You going to chase that fish, or just stand here with your thumb up your ass?”
Classic Roberts, and while I can’t guarantee he’ll say something similar if you take one of his drift trips down the Rogue, you can bet it won’t be a dull trip.
That much we can say for sure.
See you on the Rogue, Tom Chandler.
Technorati tags: fly fishing, fishing, rogue river, fly fishing guide, fishing guide, rogue river guide, dave roberts, david roberts
Well, there goes the neighborhood!
Greg(Quote)
In keeping with Dave’s penchant for older technology – bamboo rods, silk lines – I do hope he updates his blog from an Apple II or Commodore 64.
Smellslikefish(Quote)
The neighborhood went years ago.
As for technology, Dave doesn’t use a TRS 80, but his blog reads like he does…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
dave doesnt own a computer just a high tech chaulk board! had a great time recently with dave and several clients on the rogue, best part wasnt the fishing it was finally catching dave as he fell shoulder deep dureing a forward stumble into his favorite dry fly water, cane rod in hand !! was a great day wouldnt trade it for a million bucks….
terry edelmann(Quote)