The grip and gins are great. Get excited about what fish has graced your presence. Treat it well, take a picture and let it go.
On the other hand, this is the scene that I see when I close my eyes at the end of the day and think "winter steelhead"
Bare Cottonwoods. Emerald green water. A buddy below or above you lost in the cast swing step repeat process.
The was it a rock or was it a fish? How long before the rain really gets bad?
Is this ever going to happen?
There's my mental picture. What's yours?
Rocking a cast. Setting up that swing that feels "alive". Knowing this is when the grab happens. When IT happens, and brought to hand, a shot of the fish, gills in-water, and release. Shaking and grinning. Just once more, please.
ReplyDeleteNothing like it!
ReplyDeleteYour Snap T comes tight as the sink tip hits the water, the swing is text book. You watch as your line disappears below and swings into the Bucket, then it happens! A territorial buck SLAMS your fly and utter chaos ensues.
I am humbled by this majestic creature's tenacity to survive insurmountable odds and yet come to hand.