Ahh, Spring...ridin' & fishin'...what's better than that?

[msb]

Well, Spring has definitely sprung here in SW BC...a gorgeous weekend weather-wise was not going to be wasted by yours truly. First up on Saturday AM was 5 hours or so up at Grace Lake ... first fly fishing outing of the year as the lower mountain lakes in this area have been ice free for several weeks. Had pulled the pontoon boat down from the garage loft and assembled it the evening prior, so it was a quick getaway in the morning. Sure felt good to be wetting a line again


A beautiful and peaceful little lake...after the first hour or so the sun's warmth started to take hold


Nice rainbows up to 3-4 lbs in this lake...I did well with several in the 1-1.5 lb range



Having these fishing spots so close to home enables me to easily cram my two favorite pastimes into a single day. A quick changeover and I'm out on the Valk, with the temps in the afternoon reaching up to the low 70's!!
First chance to try out my new key fob (after 18 years one has to start thinking real hard what chrome bits are left to add, without lookin' too tacky...I like it, but I'm sure my young buddy Beardo from Saskatchewan winced when I texted him a pic (he just LOVES chrome add-ons  )


Did a quick ride along Harrison Lake before switching back West along #7 to ride some of my favorite back roads






This is actually the paved part of the road up to Grace Lake, before it turns into a gravel logging road that will take an outdoor enthusiast to a multitude of lakes, rivers, hiking trails, and hunting spots.









About an hour and a half back on  Old Dewdney Trunk Road towards our old homestead where we lived for almost 40 years before we moved a couple years ago, is this old general store that they've turned into a cool little roadside Italian bistro...kinda neat, being out in the middle of nowhere and they do have great food. I couldn't resist, treating myself to some delicious stawberry/banana crepes


It's been two years now since we moved far away from the urban sprawl that has beset the once peaceful little towns that used to make up the outer regions of Greater Vancouver area...we don't miss it one bit, and this is about as far West as we'll travel these days on our own time...unless it's to visit the youngest daughter.

Rest stop at Kilby beach, about 5 minutes from home, on the Harrison River. A nice nap soaking up the late afternoon sun...man it sure is good to have Spring arrive




When I first starting posting ride reports, one of my inspirations for doing so was reading Smokin Joe's reports. Always enjoyed the photos and reading about the history of the places shown in his posts...and of course his "Money Shots". So in that refrain....hear's the "Money Shot" to wind her up...

[The emperor has no clothes]

Excellent report ! Nice little trout also. 

[hubcapsc]

They were all money shots...

-Mike

[DIGGER]

Awesome scenery!,   Greg Looking bike!!  I have never tried fly fishing .  Think I would love it but I got more hobbies now than I can afford.

[Beardo]

Bike is lookin great buddy. You can really see that 7th coat of wax you put on this winter. 

And I like the key  . As much as I dislike chrome add-ons...your chrome all belongs there and tastefully adds to one of the nicest Valks on the road.   That's all I'll say about chrome...lest I get kicked off the site. 

I bet the fishing was fun, but not as fun(ny) when you don't have a fly fishin rookie buddy there struggling to pilot his boat, learn how to cast, and land a dang fish with a friggin 30 ft rod. 

Thanks for the pics. Looks like a dream day to me.

[Jess from VA]

Great report and pics man.   

I'm guessing the lake is still a bit nippy for swimming?   

Also, I'm curious what a fishing license costs.... and if the DNR (or whatever you call them) is out checking them all the time.

[bscrive]

Great ride report. 
Now if only the good weather would make it's way over to the east coast.  It was -7C this morning and last weekend was crappy snow, rain and ice pellets.

[Serk]

Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! We had spring, straight into summer, back to winder, then to spring and this past weekend back to winter again...

Winter is acting like a women after an argument, you think she's done, she's headed out the door, then she comes back in shouting "AND ANOTHER THING!!!"

[henry 008]

They were all money shots...

-Mike

+1 

[Gary]

Great pic's and great report, thanks for sharing it can't get much more perfect than that. 

We still have some recent snow hanging out that flurried in yesterday.

[Cracker Jack]

Red and black Interstate, still the prettiest!!

[t-man403]

Man.........you can get all that gear in your trunk.......that's amazing! 

Always appreciate the photos  nice report!

[Valkorado]

Great report and pix!   

[Whooray]

Awesome ride report Mike!!!
We are really looking forward to Valhalla in Merritt!!

[Jim in Idaho]

Awesome post And pics.  Can't wait to see some of this in June when us Boise boys head your way!!

[3fan4life]

That's a beautiful backyard that you have to ride around in!

[f6john]

What a beautiful world we all share. We are all blessed and I for one always humbled by Gods creation.

[nogrey]

Awesome ride report Mike!!!
We are really looking forward to Valhalla in Merritt!!

Yes we are!

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Wow. Really enjoyed the pics and ride report! The fishing pics were great too!
Thanks for sharing.

[DDT (12)]

What a beautiful world we all share. We are all blessed and I for one always humbled by Gods creation.

Mike,

I agree with John! And, southwestern Canada has some of His greatest handiwork on display, at least as far as I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing your ride and 'enhanced' adventures... Your pictures are absolutely stunning!

DDT

[pocket aces]

Great ride report! Loved the pics. Your bike is looking great as always. 

[msb]

Thanks all for taking the time to read and comment.

Serk... Love your analogy regarding Winter that keeps returning... of course it doesn't apply to either your's, or my Mrs

Jess.... $36 for my annual fishing licence (freshwater only) for the year. $55 for you as a non-resident, but then that's only about 40 bucks US for you... such a deal. With the vast array of fishing options and places here in BC, chance of getting checked for a liscence is remote in the places I fish. The limited # of fisheries officers can't possibly check all regions on a regular basis, so they concentrate mainly on the coastal fisheries and salmon rivers that are so popular....and that I stay away from. The more remote backwood and mountain lakes and streams that I usually frequent rarely if ever see regular policing... just too many to cover. However, I  not only gladly pay my fee every year, I also donate to freshwater fishing volunteer organizations that help manage BC's wilderness.

Jason... I believe it was only 6 coats of wax this Winter... not 7 

F6john and Bruce... I agree with you...I count my blessings every day I'm on the bike or on the lake or stream, out in this great natural world we have at our disposal... it is awe-inspiring for sure

Ray, Jim, Greg... it will be fantastic having the boys from Boise up at Valhalla this year... your attentance will definitely add to the growing success of this gathering

T-Man and Bscrive... still a few rooms available in Merritt