The run's first grab came about 15 minutes in, delivering that jolt of electricity that we all search for. I worked that fish for 10 minutes, changing flies three times, getting two more half hearted plucks but no real connection
I didnt care, I was repeating cast after cast lost in the rhythm of the afternoon on the water.
Spending the day before and that day at the 3rd Annual Free The Snake Flotilla, fishing was more of an afterthought for this trip. We showed up in great numbers to protest the continued insanity of propping up the lower 4 Snake River dams. It filled my heart to the brim with hundreds of boats all rowing 3 miles on the Snake in solidarity and show of force that a new way of thinking was and is taking over. It was a glorious sight to say the least
Lost in the moment, the fish grabbed solid and took off, only to immediately reverse direction and come right at me. Reeling furiously, I wasnt sure what type of steelhead had chosen to reward me.
Big or little it really doesnt matter. In a year where good news has been tough to come by in any sense of the word, any fish was a blessing. A kiss of karma from forces beyond me.
The fight was a close range battle, no haymaker long runs but a series of in close body blows.
Finally, wild perfection came to hand. A quick thank you shot and she shot away like a rocket.
And for that brief moment, all was right with the world
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