Finn from the Cascades, Season 5

[JLS]

The boss and I sorely needed a getaway for just us. Plans shifted, I had the weekend off, and the kiddos/adulters all had plans. Perfect.

We hooked up Finn’s trailer and headed for new public lands to explore. Fortunately, the Toyota was able to tow the long grades in the 100 degree plus heat without needing a stop at Wal Mart for parts and the Duratracs didn’t disintegrate.

Moonlight vista at the Hotel Nash.



The next day I met my buddy rich and helped him with last minute dog prep for a test in Boise next week. Then, Finn took us grouse hunting. It looks grousy, but we never saw a bird.





We returned to camp and had brats and beer.









The next day we hunted a high ridge for blue grouse. Same results as the day before. I don’t know this country at all, and I highly suspect we were too far from water today. A spring I showed on the map was bone dry.



We treated ourselves to a light (sans gravy) breakfast before heading to a nearby lake so the boss could break in a new paddle board and Finn could have a good swim.



It was a great trip. We already have plans for a return venture next summer.

 

[noharleyyet]

Like the trailer...looks like an awesome weekend.

 

[JLS]

Like the trailer...looks like an awesome weekend.

The trailer is a game changer. Perfect size.

 

[Mica Man]

Sounds like a great trip despite the lack of birds. Should be a great chukar year from what I saw in Salmon River country during a successful sheep hunt last weekend. Just needs to cool off a bit. Trailer looks to be a nice upgrade. No more " yard sale" after coming back from hunting during a windy spell.

 

[JLS]

Sounds like a great trip despite the lack of birds. Should be a great chukar year from what I saw in Salmon River country during a successful sheep hunt last weekend. Just needs to cool off a bit. Trailer looks to be a nice upgrade. No more " yard sale" after coming back from hunting during a windy spell.

Good to hear on the chukars. I’ve been hearing similar reports from Hells Canyon.

 

[BAKPAKR]

The boss and I sorely needed a getaway for just us. Plans shifted, I had the weekend off, and the kiddos/adulters all had plans. Perfect.

We hooked up Finn’s trailer and headed for new public lands to explore. Fortunately, the Toyota was able to tow the long grades in the 100 degree plus heat without needing a stop at Wal Mart for parts and the Duratracs didn’t disintegrate.

Moonlight vista at the Hotel Nash.

View attachment 237808View attachment 237809

The next day I met my buddy rich and helped him with last minute dog prep for a test in Boise next week. Then, Finn took us grouse hunting. It looks grousy, but we never saw a bird.

View attachment 237810View attachment 237811View attachment 237812View attachment 237813View attachment 237814
View attachment 237879


We returned to camp and had brats and beer.
View attachment 237876
View attachment 237815

View attachment 237816View attachment 237817View attachment 237818

View attachment 237821

View attachment 237819

The next day we hunted a high ridge for blue grouse. Same results as the day before. I don’t know this country at all, and I highly suspect we were too far from water today. A spring I showed on the map was bone dry.

View attachment 237820
View attachment 237874View attachment 237875
We treated ourselves to a light (sans gravy) breakfast before heading to a nearby lake so the boss could break in a new paddle board and Finn could have a good swim.

View attachment 237823
View attachment 237825
It was a great trip. We already have plans for a return venture next summer.View attachment 237877View attachment 237878

I approve your choice of beverage for pairing with brats.

 

[802flyfish]

I’ve see more grizz then grouse this year hunting in SW MT..

 

[Hem]

The boss and I sorely needed a getaway for just us. Plans shifted, I had the weekend off, and the kiddos/adulters all had plans. Perfect.

We hooked up Finn’s trailer and headed for new public lands to explore. Fortunately, the Toyota was able to tow the long grades in the 100 degree plus heat without needing a stop at Wal Mart for parts and the Duratracs didn’t disintegrate.

Moonlight vista at the Hotel Nash.

View attachment 237808View attachment 237809

The next day I met my buddy rich and helped him with last minute dog prep for a test in Boise next week. Then, Finn took us grouse hunting. It looks grousy, but we never saw a bird.

View attachment 237810View attachment 237811View attachment 237812View attachment 237813View attachment 237814
View attachment 237879


We returned to camp and had brats and beer.
View attachment 237876
View attachment 237815

View attachment 237816View attachment 237817View attachment 237818

View attachment 237821

View attachment 237819

The next day we hunted a high ridge for blue grouse. Same results as the day before. I don’t know this country at all, and I highly suspect we were too far from water today. A spring I showed on the map was bone dry.

View attachment 237820
View attachment 237874View attachment 237875
We treated ourselves to a light (sans gravy) breakfast before heading to a nearby lake so the boss could break in a new paddle board and Finn could have a good swim.

View attachment 237823
View attachment 237825
It was a great trip. We already have plans for a return venture next summer.View attachment 237877View attachment 237878

Nice report sin birds.
Your Nash looks like a newer version of mine. Well built campers. Hot for towing this weekend, passed a few full size newer Fords broke down on the highway.

 

[crock239]

Definitely looks like a comfortable camp. Looking forward to following along this season

 

[Ben Lamb]

This is a sausage poem with a comfort stanza.

17 stars.

 

[JLS]

I’ve see more grizz then grouse this year hunting in SW MT..

Based on weather patterns, I expect our hatch was dismal.

 

[BackofBeyond]

Based on weather patterns, I expect our hatch was dismal.

Come south, they're thick as thieves down here.

 

[44hunter45]

Come south, they're thick as thieves down here.

I'm seeing good pockets of grouse on the margins of the Palouse. I feel like the wet spring was a plus?

 

[fleabagmatt]

Ahh, been waiting for the new season. Looking forward to following the adventures again.

 

[Irrelevant]

Based on weather patterns, I expect our hatch was dismal.

I haven't even seen a chukar yet this year...

 

[JLS]

A true grouse hunt must start like this.



Well fed and full of coffee, we hit a close to home spot. I’ve hunted this for 12 years now, usually once or twice a year. It’s rarely spectacular, but usually quite good. Plus, it’s a cool spot.

Finn pointed a bird about 100 yards from the truck while walking the closed road in. Bummer, great point and easy shot, but private land.



Before this burned I would find grouse on these upper benches.



These Hawthorne thickets are a bitch to hunt. They are fairly impenetrable, and have nasty weapons.

This was embedded in Finn’s heel pad, half sticking out when I pulled it.



Last week while hunting I suspected it was a poor hatch year. Today confirmed it. This is a baseline spot for me. Normally it’s a 10-15 flush trip. Today was two.

I love this place. I first found it looking for quail with my lab, Max. I never anticipated how many grouse I would find. I didn’t hunt it at all last year, and it was good to get back.

Sod this afternoon and then hopefully one or two more ventures this week.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

Glamping ..... and decent beer !

 

[JLS]

Glamping ..... and decent beer !

I’ve spent enough nights in the back of a pickup in the winter that i have absolutely NO shame, guilt or qualms in sleeping in a camp trailer. Sleep smarter not harder.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I’ve spent enough nights in the back of a pickup in the winter that i have absolutely NO shame, guilt or qualms in sleeping in a camp trailer. Sleep smarter not harder.

I'm with you....why suffer if you don't have too.

 

[stillkickin]

I'm with you....why suffer if you don't have too.

I’m with you guys , spent enough uncomfortable nights. My idea of roughing it now is if the motel has a small hot tub