It was a moose. They are also often dangerous and are known to stomp people to death. I backed out fast as I could see all his hair standing up on his body. I got out as quick as I could, reconsidering my need to carry a mace pack of capsicum spray. We might have tiger snakes, but normal care should be taken with all wildlife, bears, moose, buffalo, etc.

On the way back I crossed the south fork of the Madison that flows into Hegben Lake, I will check this out in the morning.

Thursday. Headed for the mighty Henry’s Fork. Crossed the hills that separate the Madison from the Henry’s Fork

catchment. Henry’s Lake outfall flows through a beautiful meadow and is only about 40 feet wide. From here it grows to a might river.

As I followed the highway it ran fairly parallel to the river, and then crosses under the road in the region knows as Island Park. The river is wide and flat and shallow with weed beds and slow flat glides. Then it passes into the Coffeepot. This is a faster section stream with large boulders.

These sections are fabulous with big fish occupying the Coffeepot and Box Canyon. Had a look at the Coffeepot and then drove into Box Canyon, following the track through the forest and down into the canyon. I fished upstream in rough water that was hard going. I observed a guide with two clients in a drift boat flogging the water with nymphs under big fluoro polystyrene indictors. The guide was trying to maximize the time in the canyon section. Later I was told by a young guide that the big fish in the canyon will only take nymphs so split shot and large nymphs are the only way to reach them. No wonder I didn’t get one on a hopper.

I drove on down to Last Chance. This little spot on the edge of the highway and river is famous for its fly shops and lodges situated as it is in the heart of the best fishing in the states. It is also the home of Hyde drift boats fly shop and lodge. I visited the Orvis shop and then met the owners of the new flash angler shop by the name of Lawrence.

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