Guest Blogger Kent Davenport with "I had dream"

Mr Kent isn’t afraid to get in there.

Another great tale from Mr. Kent about a dream he had on the Babine. Mr. Kent has been such an excellent resource for me and the other guides at Norlakes. He has taught me how to fish a number of the runs. I always enjoy his take on the runs, I attempt to soak up his historical data and still have some new questions for him every fall when he returns.

I must say he dramatizes my character in his tale, but I am going to take it as a sign of affection. After all, we only tease the ones we really like.

I live in Honolulu and love to fish for steelhead. They sometimes get into my brain in unexpected ways. Last year I had a dream that I fished Boat Wreck from the opposite side and stood on the big rock and threw a huge fly on a t-17 into the bottomless pit that is just below you and hooked a big fish. It is not something that is unusual as many fish have been caught there, but most fish it from the other side and walk down. In low water years the bottom of boat wreck is a heaven of boulders and hiding places, but it was high water in my dream and I fished it from the big rock.

Looking upstream at a run Called “Deadmans”

I told Aaron of my dream and he rolled his eyes and said "Yah boss anything you want" So he put me out there on a day when not much was happening and I launched my junk like a Bulgarian shot putter on steroids. It sunk, yes it sunk and lo and behold a large fish intercepted it and we began the steelhead dance. First a head shake (a big fish!) then a slow move to the right and then the left. Just like line dancing at the local saloon. It got pissed, (that eventually happens) and ran into the deep hole that lies just next to the bank below me. Aaron was on the other side and shook his head in disbelief. Eventually he showed up with the net and said "Well I thought it was going to be a big fish" My eye said 20 lbs. He was flamboozled and wanted to forget the whole thing, but I won't let him. "Hey Aaron put me out at Boat Wreck-no not on that side I want to fish I had a dream rock." The story gives me some ammunition to use against him when he reminds me that I am a tool that the steelhead use to have fun with.

I’m not to going to lie it was a little intimidating when I first started at the lodge as it would take a while before I would catch up to the knowledge level that some of the guests already possessed. I approached it with eyes and ears open, mouth shut and with no preconceived ideas of how it all should go. Listen, speak to what I know and offer guidance as best I am able. This mantra has served me well. Thank you for the story and thank you for all your help Mr. Kent.