The last week of the Landlock Salmon run out of Lake Champlain seemed the perfect time to take a weekend trip to the Boquet River. I took a little inside knowledge and a few hints from friends on the secret spots that only the locals know about. Psyched and ready, I take off Thursday night and trek the 5 hour drive to the Boquet River. I woke up to a picturesque little village nestled in the wooded hills of upstate New York. One deep breath of fresh air at 5 in the morning and my adrenaline begins to rush. I felt a sense of home as I entered the local bait shop to get a few tips of the water. The civic legend ‘Buck’ lent me a few tips on flies and spots while boasting his monster catches and his local luck on the Boquet. I listened carefully to his directions, thanked him and was off.

There I was, hiking 3 miles down river and to my surprise finding the exact spot, that I could recall, Buck had mentioned. I crack open a beer and set-up my grill in anticipation of a great day filled with Landlocked Salmon and Brown Trout. As i wade in the water and tie on a Green Butt Skunk, I gently gazed around at the serene forest surrounding me. I listen carefully for any noise, but to no availability is there a sound to be heard. I find the perfect place to cast, and set out my fly. As night lingers on the Lonely Boquet River, void of noise, people, and now known to me fish, darkness brings about a subtle hue over the water. My emotions are perplexed and my adrenaline drained, my excitement of catching that big Salmon had sense floated down stream just as quickly as my luck had with that deep morning breath. A good skunking was the only thing in my sights as that 3 mile hike back to camp, empty handed, seemed like a 20 mile up hill battle with my confidence. Never before had a skunking hurt this much.