A sure sign of fall on the Upper Sacramento is the sudden appearance of a horde of CFFU club members in Dunsmuir. Some came for the tight-line nymphing clinic with Bill Carnazzo, fly fishing instructor extraordinaire. Some came just for the fishing, especially as rumors of monster tripoid rainbows in Dunsmuir began spreading. Some came for spiritual enlightenment, and some came for the chocolate cream pie. By the end of the trip, all were contented, while still hungering for more (sic.). 
     After running into Bill at the Shop on Friday, I was regaled with tales of huge fish in large numbers coming out of the lower river. The day was mild, bright, sunny, and unusually warm for Dunsmuir in the fall. "Ah ha," I thought to myself, "I finally timed this one right." After spending the morning catching planted brook trout, I was ready to tangle with some real fish. Friday night we meet at the Dunsmuir Brewery Works, the new microbrewery in town, for our usual pre-weekend strategy session and the reports were good. Most caught fish that day, although nothing really of size, but the numbers were encouraging. Bob Hansen had a particularly good report, especially considering that I think it was his first time on the river. Craig Williams failed to show up in his usual immaculately pressed fishing shirt with razor sharp creases, undoubtedly due to the ribbing he received last year. 
     Saturday the weather changed, of course, and we went from shirt sleeve weather to more typical fall temperatures over night. After a hearty breakfast at the trusty Cornerstone Cafe and a last minute restocking at Ted Fay's, those fishing the clinic headed for the park while the rest of us headed for parts unknown. To the best of my knowledge everyone caught fish, although the hopes of large wild fish never materialized in the lower river. Rather than the easy catching I was expecting, the change in weather must have put them down, because the area that had been red hot the day before barely produced a fish per rod the on Saturday. Those who stayed near town found yet another mob of planters to harass, but no behemoths were landed.
     The highlight of the trip is always the Saturday pot luck at the cabin Scott Swindell typically organizes, and this year was no exception. The food and the company were exceptional, and while the late night poker game never materialized, nevertheless a good time was had by all. I would like to thank, in no particular order, the attendees: John Burge, Guy Deaner (golfer), Sam Seaton (another golfer), Dave Earl, Ty "where did the rest of the clinic go" Espinoza, Bob Hansen, Bob Cooper, Craig "Mr. Clean" Williams, Frank "Alaska bound" Williams (no relation), Keith & Betty Pfiefer, Max & Paulyne Koe, John Barris, and Scott "should've left the homework at home" Swindell. My apologies if I left someone out. 
     Next year we will be moving the date either into September or later into October, so stay tuned.