Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Four Ounces Of Wonder

He walks to the little rocky stream, something he has done for as many times as there are flies in his fly box. It's a stream that flows clear and cool through the oak, maple and hemlock forest, its origin in the hills of northeast Connecticut.

As he stops to tie on the little Wulff dry fly to the tippet he notices movement in a tree. His eyes make contact with a regal looking Blue Jay. Soon the Jay's loud scolding begins and is relentless for a few moments. Soon the Jay feels that the woods are aware of the fly fishers presence and departs to another tree.

As the fly fisher prepares to release the little fly, he looks into the water and thinks, what a tough way of life for those who inhabit the little stream. Everything floating in or on it maybe food, or perhaps death.

As the fly starts its drift along the riffled water it moves to the far bank towards a fallen tree branch, a sudden swell is seen on the surface, the sign of a trout trying to take the little fly.

As the fly fisher pulls on the line he realizes the attempt has failed. He then sends the fly out a second time and as the fly nears the branch a flash of orange appears from the ten inch depths of the stream and a wild brook trout takes hold of the little fly. After a brief  but spirited fight the six inch jewel is held in his hand.

For a few moments he admires its beauty, wild icy colors, and heavenly halos that cannot be reproduced by any artist. The fly fisher places his hand in the water and the wild one darts away into the stream.

As the fly fisher steps back onto the bank, he says, Thank You



By,
Brk Trt, Alan Petrucci

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