Sometimes a fishing trip isn’t really about catching fish.

It’s about solitude and killer sunsets, bald eagles and cowboy coffee – stout and chunky. It’s about getting away from the everyday grind, spending time with people you like, singing old songs around the campfire, seeing so many stars you can’t begin to count.

It’s about … OK. We got skunked.

But Antelope Flat Reservoir is a wonderful spot for an overnight camping trip or a day visit. And during the week, we had the place all to ourselves. That’s a 170-acre irrigation reservoir nestled in the Maury Mountains with just the coyotes, the eagles and a swirling trout or maybe dozens for company. Nice.

Actually, the swirling trout thing was kind of frustrating. We’d heard good things about the fishing at Antelope Flat; we arrived with a half-empty ice chest and high hopes. Good thing we brought the chicken and the guacamole. Those hefty splashes about drove us nuts.

Despite all that, Antelope Flat Reservoir is an ideal place to get away to. It’s remote, yet you can drive right to it and pitch your tent at the campground. There are 25 campsites, tables, barbecue grills and standard-issue Forest Service bathrooms. And there’s a little boat launch if you want to putt around a bit on the water.

Or you can take a walk as far around the irrigation impoundment as you desire. But there’s no established trail all the way around. You’ll have to make your own. Springtime is busting out all over in the Maurys.

We approached Antelope Flat via Prineville, taking Paulina Highway through Post then right on Forest Road 17 to Forest Road 16 and the reservoir. It’s about 12 miles from Paulina Highway to the reservoir (follow the signs). The store in Post is always a point of interest and a good place to stock up on anything you might have forgotten back in civilization. We bought ice and mailed a letter at the post office.

On our return, we took Forest Road 16 to a left on Kloochman Road and right on Bear Creek Road. We turned right again on State Route 27 (Oregon’s only unpaved state highway), which took us to Prineville Reservoir near Bowman Dam. Which is where my little story had a happy ending. Prineville Reservoir is big, beautiful and full of trout, bass, crappie and bullhead.

Camping was fun. But it was nice to catch fish.