Monday, Aug. 30^th

After AB had a rough night of tossing, turning in pain, the next morning AM, JR & GK talked to the hospital staff at St. John’s for advice and convinced the reluctant AB to check into the hospital, then delivered him to the emergency room where the diagnosis was a kidney stone. We met Pat Burroughs who was the ER nurse and who helped look after AB.

After getting the diagnosis and realizing that AB was not of much use to us that day, we asked Pat and the ER doctor advice on where to fish. We elected to delay the surgery start until we had some good local fishing info. Pat and the Dr. recommended Upper Green by Green River Lakes, Lake of the Woods at the top of Union Pass, Dubois area for streams, Dinwiddy Creek, Snake River in Teton Park (near Schwabacher landing but the cutts are smart), Flat Creek before the Fish Hatchery, Gros Ventre River below Slide Lake, Crystal Creek, and of course numerous places in Yellowstone NP. Having worked out some fishing options, we then let them schedule surgery.

While AB was having the "tip of your little finger sized" stone removed, the YG was checking out fishing spots around Jackson, no point in wasting time worrying about AB! They also stopped at Fisheries Headquarters Jackson Regional Office (420 North Cache Jackson, WY 83001 (307) 733-232 Mailing Address P.O. Box 67 Jackson, WY 83001) to meet with Manager Rob Gilbert to record our Cutt Slam. All the paperwork was completed; with picture documentation to be sent after the film was developed when we returned to Seattle. Rob informed AM that there had only been some 300 anglers who had met the requirements to receive the Cutt Slam certificate! The YG members were pleased that we had just entered an elite group of anglers to complete the Slam. [A few days after the YG returned to Seattle, each of us received our colorful Wyoming Cutt Slam certificate. We were all delighted that we’d completed the requirements of this unique challenge.]

The YG-1 explored the town of Jackson.  Shirts were bought!

We checked out the Jackson National Fish Hatchery which had a pond full of fish which we thought might be good for AB to see and enjoy post-surgery.

We also swung by Jackson Village and checked out that ski resort. Lots of upscale places to spend money. We didn't have time to take the tram but it looked like a great ride. It rises up 4,139 feet to the summit at 10,450 feet where there is a cabin and snack bar. Suspect the view would be great on a clear day. The cost was $18.

We headed back to the hospital to pick up AB at around 6:00 pm. AB was a somewhat tired and disoriented fisherman  – we considered the pro's and con's of keeping him on the trip versus just leaving him in the hospital. However, we figured we would get more from returning him with us to the Northwest than we would by just selling his rod, reels, and flies in Jackson – after all, they were used – now if they had been new......?