Mt. Shasta Ski Park
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WEED ALES & BREWERY 
EASTER ISLAND INFORMATION & TOURISM SITE
CHILE!! 
**STEELHEAD ARE MIGRATING UP ALL RIVERS AS WE SPEAK, KLAMATH MOUTH CATCHIN’ WHOPPERS!**
When Michelle and I arrived at the mouth of the Klamath we were both excited about the upcoming day! Capt. Jim took us up in his jet boat and we saw this brave black bear eating on something along the shoreline?
Just before we left Jim showed me his new smoker he built out of cedar and metal grills. Doesn’t that salmon look divine? He serves it to our customers with cream cheese and a bagel for a lunchtime gourmet snack! I love this smoked
salmon and often find myself trading flies for steaks…(don’t need a medical card to smoke it!)
A little further past the bear we saw this osprey grab this steelhead right out of the river and fly over our heads. I had a feeling this was going to be a great day!
Jim and his son Kenton fished an area that they knew held steelhead and it wasn’t long before Jim had a hookup.
Jim battled this steelhead for 15 minutes as it took him down
a few hundred yards from the hookup spot. It is amazing the strength and burst speed of these trout, but coming in from the ocean the week before, it really doesn’t surprise me either!
Here’s Jim with a nice 4 to 5lber. We are taking reservations for the mouth of the Klamath until Oct 15th.
Panther Creek R.V. Resort at the mouth of the Klamath off hwy 101 and Requa road.
My girlfriend Michelle, caught a nice 1/2 ber and loved the scenery and the crystal blue waters.
You could walk along the shoreline and see the steelhead schooling together. You would see the steelhead come in from the ocean every year to run up the Klamath and head into the Trinity or continue up the Klamath watershed to spawn or get laid!
Blue Creeks is the first fresh water these trout hit, so like
a lake turning over in the summer. These steelhead need time to acclimate their gills from the salt water to the fresh water and don’t always feed right away when they first come in from the ocean. This was back a few weeks ago and now the steelhead are feeding on small flies.
It’s really exciting to see these steelhead so close. It’s California’s version of Alaska. ( for a few weeks of course!).
Kenton, Jim’s son, hooked into a lunker that he must have fought for a 1/2 hour or more! This kid is one of California’s upcoming fly fishing super stars–so we all better look out!
This kid is 15 and is more in tune to what’s going on than any guide up and down the California and Oregon coast! Kenton Bansemer, now there’s a fishing name to remember!
Kenton, YOU’RE MY SIZZLER OF THE WEEK AWARD WINNER! CONGRATULATIONS SIZZLER! JT
HOLY COW! THAT HOOK UP SHOULD COME WITH HANDICAP SIGN! In all, we hooked 9 steelhead in 4 hours of fly fishing, Kenton hooked and released 5 of the 9. (Rocket Scientist!)
When we left Bob and Aaron last week they were up on Parks Creek Road, high above the Shasta Valley! They were fired up to say the least. (Bob looks like Mel Brooks?)
On the Lower Sac Bob hooked his first trout on a fly rod right off the cuff.
Nice trout Bob, looking forward to seeing Mars as big as Moon
by the end of the month.***UPDATE*** Mars to be as big as the Moon?
******
The answer…..a definite NO!
You may have heard this false story from a friend, or read it yourself from an email being circulated around the Internet.
The story claims that on the closest approach between Earth and Mars in recorded history, the Red Planet would look as large as the full moon.
Though Mars is going to be a spectacular sight to see in the coming months, it will still only be a small point of light in the sky.
The truth goes something like this: Earth and Mars are indeed approaching each other, and on October 30th will be a rather close 69 million kilometers apart. (The closest approach in recorded history occurred on August 27, 2003 at 56 million kilometers).
Only the Sun, Moon, and Venus will shine brighter than Mars, but it will still only be a small, reddish dot in the sky.
Between now and October 30th, the view of Mars will continue to improve.
It is currently the brightest object in the eastern sky before sunrise.(farout, Space Nugget!)
Aaron, thumbs up dude! Take care you two, it was an epic adventure! jt I loved the trip and the day we had on the Trinity River.** Jack,
Thanks again for such a wonderful time you provided for Aaron and me on our 2 day trip with you. We loved the adventure, your cordial and warm personal service. We look forward to doing this again!
Regards,Bob Cohen
Dear Jack,
We were so sorry to read about Shasta’s death. She was such a neat dog, and she had such a wonderful life with you. I will always have fond memories of fishing with her!
Carol and Phil Robb
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Dear Jack…. I am so very sorry to hear about the passing of your best friend and the absolutely best fishing scout ever.
It was with great sadness and many tears I read your heartfelt tribute to Shasta. I was very moved. Please accept my condolences and know that you and Shasta are in my prayers.
The next time you and I fish together we will have to pause for a moment and give thanks for having been blessed with Shasta’s life and love. I only spent one day with her as our fly fishing companion, but it was clear she was at home on the water and that you and she loved each other very much. It is a profound loss…
Blessings, Wade
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Just got back from our coast trip and read your article about Shasta. Very touching. She was a classic and I know you’ll miss her. I sure love Cocoa and am dreading when that time comes but enjoying much now. Anyway it was nice seeing you and Michelle up there. Andy really enjoyed it too.
Take care your bro the carp
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Jack:
I am soooo sorry to hear about Shasta. I would search for Shasta in each of the pictures of your adventures. I regret not having the opportunity to meet Shasta. Even though I did not know her, I loved her any way. I know it will be difficult without her, but you will be together again some day. You gave her a great life, and I am sure she made your life better. You seemed to be an awesome team. When I read this last adventure, I began to bawl. My heart goes out to you. I can sympathize with you because I lost a very special friend (dog) 5 years ago and still cry and miss her. I talk to her daily. Their spirits will always be with us, and we will feel their presence.
(I would give you a huge hug if you weren’t so far away. I hope you feel it through this email.)
God bless you.
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Dear Jack,
Just read your tribute to your beloved best friend. Boy do I understand the pain. Am going to e-mail you an attachment about the loss of my best friend. Although he was deaf, he had those same kind of special qualities, you have to marvel at where they come from. In 10 1/2 years I never lost him on the trail when we went horseback riding in the back country. He rounded every corner just to check up and make sure we were with him. He could find his way back to his vehicle no matter where we were or how many times we had been there. He traveled everywhere with me unless I was on a plane or a cruise ship. I miss him like I would miss a part of my own body, but you are right, he lives in my heart for all the years left of my life as Shasta does in yours. I have lost others and I know it does get better. Take heart, Shasta and my Pal fly on the wings of angels until we get there ourselves.
Best wishes to you, if you loved a four legged creature that much you must be one hell of a guy !!
Chris Zwaga
Hi Jack,
I don’t expect you to remember us but we met you one Friday night last September when you and Shasta came by to collect payment for a house we rented from you. Although our meeting was brief, we were touched by your connection with Shasta and thought you both seemed like pretty cool people. (Also we appreciated your recommendation of the Salt H2O Coconut Shrimp-best we’ve ever had) We have enjoyed your stories and pictures over the year and are sitting here in tears to read your beautiful story and learn that Shasta is no longer here with you. We love your plan to release Shasta’s ashes into the waters where you fish and visit often. We recently did this with our Jake’s ashes, scattered them in a swimming hole he loved on Chico Creek where we often swim. We hope you find comfort in your memories and as well as the knowlege that others understand how it is to lose a pal you have shared 11-12 years of your life with.
We wish you the best and plan to come and rent a cabin from you again, perhaps this Fall. In the meantime, you are in our thoughts.
Be well, Debbie, Peggy and Rosie the black dog from Chico
Jumpin’ Jack- Thanks for the note about the loss of Shasta. What a bond you two must have had from many years on the water together. It reminded me of the dog of my youth, “Grizzly”…a yellow lab with great loyalty. Maybe in an act of divine intervention…Our sales manager, the guy who kicked Shasta out of the building, resigned Friday…I think that is quite interesting. We just got the remaining spots left for Monday Night Football and College Football. I’ll get back to you ASAP. -Jake KRCR
Jack
So sorry to hear about Shasta. You were to best to her, it was obvious in the postings how much you loved her.
Never met her, but she had a soft spot in my heart. As I mentioned a long while back, my mom owned a little dog named Shasta when she still lived up there and my dad (when he was still dating my mom before they got married) would take Shasta fishing along the SF Sac, McCloud, etc. So, I think ìShastaî in doggy talk must mean ìBest darned fishing dogî.
Thanks to your Shasta for carrying on the Shasta the Fishing Dog legacy! David Rizzardo
We are coming out to California for our first time and
I was checking out shasta mnt. came across your web
site and saw this beautiful dog. I just put my 14
year old love of my life black lab down and my heart
went out to you. the saddest thing. my heart felt
like it wouldn’t heal. different from all my other
dogs. i always went out and got another one or
someone gave me one. but this one i can’t get another
one he was a shasta dog. he knew so many words his
name was RBI (runs batted in). I had to get on with
my life too. and my heart is so full of compassion
for the love he gave me and others. I keep his
picture on the refrig-one of those pictures where he
is always looking at you comforts me. here is a poem
i thought you might like
Things We Can Learn From A Dog
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride
Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your
face
to be pure ecstasy
When loved ones come home always run to greet them
When it’s in your best interest, pracitce obedience
Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory
Run, romp and play daily
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm
Be loyal
Never pretend to be something your’re not
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close
by and nuzzle them gently
Thrive on attention and let people touch you
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do
On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady
tree
When you are happy, dance around and wag your entire
body
No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the
guilt thing and pout..run right back and make
friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Shast is a beautiful dog I love her ears and her
coat
you can tell by just how she holds her body how
passionate she is. not many people are as lucky as us
to have such a magnificent friend. unconditional
love.
Thanks for sharing your feelings on the web page it
makes my pain bearable, janice -looking forward to
seeing CA. sometimes I think of the end of his life
and it was definetely time for him to go and being his
best friend I had to put him to sleep. Shasta and Rbi
are at Peace in doggy heaven eating bones, playing &
feeling good :)take care! Janice Wilcox
Dear Jack,
Skip and I are saddened to learn about your loss of Shasta. Your dream is
true, however, Shasta is young and in a much better place. You and she will
be together again in the great rivers in heaven. I pray God will keep her
in your heart always. Our pets, or rather, our best friends, are hard to
lose, but you never ever will lose Shasta. Every time you look into those
rivers and at the spectacular sky beyond the bend, she will be there
watching over you. I know you can feel her great strength and presence in
your heart. God bless you and your family at this time. I will always be
grateful that we were able to fish with Shasta! What a delightful treasure
for us all. Take good care.
Love, Jane and Skip Anderson,
Mansfield, TX 76063
Hi Jack,
I was very sorry to read about Shasta. I remember when you and I fished the McCloud and Shasta would always put us back on the trail. One terrific dog.
We only get one special dog in our lives. Mine was Kelly, a golden retriver. He was a great swimmer. I always took him with me when stream fishing. He would always get a little a head of me and scare off the trout. But I didn’t care, because he was a great companion in the wilds.
I lost him a about five years ago. After reading about Shast, I am finally going to spread his ashes down in Mexico at our casa along the pacific. He swam there everyday. I had planned to do it from the day he died but couldn’t muster up the courage. I can now.
It took almost two years for me to get another dog, Buster. He’s totally different, not a water dog. But they all find a place in your heart.
Go for it when your ready.
Kenneth J. Maxwell
Jack
I am sorry to hear about Shasta. She was a great dog!
Steve Pagones
Hi Jack:
I just read that Shasta is gone and I¥m very sorry to hear about it. It is so sad…I know how special is she for you.
I remember the day you said that you didn¥t want to think about the day Shasta was going to “leave” life … so I think these days have been very intense for you. But you wrote that beautiful statement under her picture, on your web site, and it seems that you are rescuing all the positiveness and all the wonderful memories she left. But like you said: “She is in a better place now” … not different from the places and experiences you gave to her.
I just wanted to let you know that I¥m affected for what happened to Shasta.
A Hug, Ana Maria, La Serena Chile
Jack, Sorry to hear about Shasta. She was a great dog. It was great having her in the front of the boat while I fished. She was one with the river. Mike Levinson
My Friend Jack, I sit down it a lot for the lost of Shasta, me you what is to lose a friend of four paws, also that they are the best thing that it can spend, I understand you when you say that you no longer want but dogs, because Shasta was only, but you will realize that one day anyone your look will meet with the look of another dog and you will know that the spirit of Shasta is in the and you will have it again…
A strong hug my friend and I and Leticia and the girls are as sad as your…
Your brother Juan Ramos Santiago Chile
Trout, So sorry for your loss. My eyes welled up reading about Shasta. I can envision her sitting on the bow of the boat, hanging out and getting sun. I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to fish with Shasta.
Take care of yourself, Dustin Fisher
Hey, Jack! So sorry to hear about Shasta! Thatís got to be tough for you. You wrote movingly about it, and I thank you for sharing it with us.
Take Care, Pat Patterson
Jack I’o sorry for you loss, I’ve only met shasta twice and she was a loving attentive dog. my dog duke is now 18 years old and his time is drawing near. he still has a little wag left in his tail. I have had him since late 1987 when I was 19. Jack you be strong, when you are ready, get another dog, maybe save one from a shelter. dogs enrich our lives more than we know. there is a good dog waiting for you out there that needs your love. thake care jack, can’t wait to go fishing with you again. scott P.S. Hear about the man who walks into the bar with a pair of jumper cables on his shoulder, the bartender says to him, I’ll let you drink here, but don’t try to start anything. ha ha Scott Keough
Dear Jack:
Thank you for the tribute to Shasta. Even though I never knew her, your recollections brought tears to my eyes.
I had no ides of the enormity of your loss when you began to guide us on the day after her death. You remained so apparently upbeat that it is a tribute to your personal strengths.
On the first day, I remember seeing the remnants of dog food at the left corner of the boat, and asked, “OK, here’s the food. Where’s the dog?” As I recall, your response was only that, “Well, she won’t be with us today.”
Sparing your guests from your sorrow. Thank you.
I know a lot about the love between a dog and a man . . . I have always had at least one, and sometimes as many as five . . . and I offer my sincerest sympathy.
And do remember, all doggies go to heaven. Bill Vanderweken
Hi Jack,
Very sorry to hear about Shasta, I have an old Lab/ Retriever mix and I am
dreading the day he goes also. I felt like Shasta was one of the family
after reading your column for over 2 years now. Good luck, I know we will
fish together soon.
Brice
Dear Jack, what a wonderful memorial you gave to a wonderful partner. I,
too lost the greatest pal in the world last year. We took our collie,
Chelsea everywhere and to every campground in Siskiyou Cty. and elsewhere.
She loved Lake Siskiyou Campground and everyone, even the deer loved her.
I feel your loss. Take care. Your Dunsmuir neighbors, Maurita and Brian
Oh dear, reading about Shasta made me cry. She was a great dog, the
right kind of dog, a dog’s dog. Ed and I remember her well, and how
well behaved she was. Didn’t go on point for steelhead for us, just
snoozed away.
We’ve lost dogs and cats, and it is truly awful. Memories keep them
alive.
Jack,
I am very sorry to hear about Shasta’s passing. She was always a pleasure to be around and had an uncanny ability to “see” a fish just before a hit. I will miss her too.
Best regards, Dennis Pagones
Hi Jack:
I regret a lot that of your dog SHASTA. I have lost two very good dog in my life, one of them died on my arms. Probably they were not so special comparing to your SHASTA judging by your letter, she was very special dog.
Hi Jack:
I hope you feel better after first days without the one of the most faithful of the companies, dog company. Children for me are the best. Both children and dogs donít know about wickedness, and they donít know about hate, avarice, lust, deceit, infidelity and all that bad things what most adult people know.
That’s why I love dog and children above all. They are innocent and transparent. I like people who are like or have spirit of children.
Your friend Francisco Purto Varas Chile
So sorry about Shasta, it’s like a family member thats for sure. We thank you for the memories and sharing them with Shasta…You take care Jack Trout.
Don & Andy Hahn
Jack,
I am so sad to hear that you lost Shasta. Losing a dog is like losing a wife and a child at the same time. They love us so much and give us so much of their life that they can never be replaced. Only time will fill the emptiness in your heart. But the time will come, when another dog will enter your life unexpectedly and the cycle will start over. You don’t have to look for them, they will come looking for you. It won’t be Shasta, but all dogs are wonderful and they will love you just as much as Shasta.
I recently lost my dog unexpectedly and I really miss him every day. It was my fourth dog that I have buried over the years, but I loved them all. Someday I will have another, because life without a dog is like a life without sunshine.
Regards, Luke Alexander
Jack, I am so sorry. What happened ? I have told all my fishing friends about this wonderful dog that pointed trout. She also looked very much like the collie mix I grew up with. I met her only briefly but will remember her always. Your friend. Roger Crane
Jack,
Sorry to hear about Shasta. Take a look at the Rainbow Bridge. Someone sent that to me when I lost Donald (the black lab) almost a year ago. Iím still getting over that loss.
Best regards, John Wilhelm
Sorry to hear about Shasta, its crushing, but keep the great memories!
Craig W. Hagglund
Jack–We’re sorry to hear about Shasta. She did have a great life, though. Did you take the latest web log photos with the infamous “Seth camera?” They look great. Makes me want to go fishing. All the best!
And to all of you that sent me an email That I couldn’t
put up due to space, THANK YOU! THERE WAS MORE THAN 200 EMAILS!
SHASTA’S MEMORY WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON HERE AT JACK TROUT GUIDE SERVICE, I PLAN SOMEDAY TO WRITE ABOOK ABOUT MY ADVENTURES WITH HER ON THE RIVERS WE ALL LOVE. TAKE CARE, JACK TROUT