In coming to you today, the second week in a row, I feel like a rich man. As I stood at the fringe of your home the cool morning air was refreshing and mindful of the approaching autumn season. I wonder if you sense the same?
Having lost all my Aftermath gifts, I tied a new one before leaving the place that I live. With the Aftermath tied on I show it to the first of your kind I encounter. He is a long fellow and wide in the shoulders - a beastly sort and he likes what he sees. My hook-set is firm and employed with great conviction. This beastly fellow wastes no time however in showing me his determination and runs me to the edge of my backing on a downstream path. Finally I get him turned, but he is not done showing me how the cow eats cabbage.
As he turns to come upstream I realize how clever this beastly one is. He goes to the far bank and entangles himself in the thick weave of the root system along the eroded bank. I see him floating on the surface unable to go forward, back, or to either side. I decide to call it and break him free and as I attempt to do so, I somehow pull him out of the weave. Our battle continues, but not for long. My line suddenly ricochets out of the pool and lands near my feet. Gathering the line I inspect the end of my tippet and sure enough there was the tell-tale sign of a bad or giving tie - a curly-q at the end of the tippet.
With no more Aftermath gifts I tie on one of Charlie's Creek Critters. Looking upstream I see a juvenile and cast the Critter about twenty-five feet. He gobbles it.
Bringing the young chap in for the branding by my hand I notice the colors your kind are taking on. In years past I always enjoy the orange hues in your tails and fins that come about this time of year. Perhaps it's a thing of nature - I'm not sure, but whatever it is seems like a great artist is using you as a canvas.
My friends, I have much to do in preparation for my bucket list trip to North Carolina. I do hope to return to you soon and certainly would like to see you more often.
Until our next meeting, live, love, and prosper.
Sincerely,
Prairie Ocean Fly Fisher
Nice encounter Barry, it seems the creek is in decent shape despite recent warm temps. I see in your area? I see those orange tinted fins here in ponds with, I think, a diet rich in shrimp, sowbugs, crawfish and such.
ReplyDeleteGregg