It was a tough weekend for your faithful newbie.  Massive back pain, a horrible sunburn, and a sharp learning curve.

It began with an innocent trip to Piru Creek for some fly-fishing with Hank (my Golden Retriever).

It was a bit warm out so I let Hank do his job as a fish-finder.  He's really good at finding stuff that swims in the water, but lacks a subtle notification system.

Bing... Bing... Looking... FOUND ONE!!!

Afterwards, it was my turn to have some fun.  I tied on a nymph and set out to try to hook up... I failed.

As a reward I let Hank go swimming again.

It wasn't much of a reward since the water softened his paw pads, and the sharp rocks at Frenchman's Flat ripped them to the point of bleeding.  He couldn't walk on them and I ended up carrying him out just over a half mile.  He weighs just over 100 pounds and it was nearly impossible to carry him with all my gear, so I hid my gear in the bushes and humped out with a large dog across my shoulders.  I've since gone back and gathered my gear, so don't bother =]

A visit to the vet and some Nu-Skin and Hank is back in action.  The moral of the story is to keep an eye on those paw pads when letting your fishing buddy swim for any length of time.  He and I really bonded on the way out.  He has always been close to me, but now I can't seem to even get any personal space.  He might be just a canine, but I'll bet you my next 5 pound trout that he knows I helped him without regard for my back that day.  I'd do it again too.