Standing at the Smith's counter late this afternoon I found it hard to believe that it is late June and I didn't have a current Utah Fishing license. How sad is that? My Son-in-Law called earlier today and wanted to head out to the Provo River for an afternoon of fishing. He had a tough work week and wanted to put it behind him. Of course, I was happy to help.

Standing in one of my favorite spots on the river I couldn't help but look around at the mountains while smelling the air, feeling the moisture, listening to the melody of running water and thinking that this was a good idea and I'm a lucky man.

I placed Jared in a productive place with very fishy water, pointed out how I would work the river and proceeded to watch him while I carefully stepped my way upstream to do some casting of my own. After a few minutes he yelled out, with enthusiasm, and we both enjoyed his experience of playing and landing a beautiful trout. On the other hand, in the 2+ hours we spent on the stream I did not hook up.

It was one of those frustrations. On my second cast, while showing Jared how to do it, I felt a definite hard tap. A few casts later there was another interested trout tugging at my line. A few hundred drifts later and another interested tap. But no synergy. No fishing teamwork between me and the locals.

The Provo is a hard river. I've been skunked many times. But recently I've had some luck and now I expect positive results every time. At least Jared stood in one my favorite spots and landed a nice fish. And at least he had the presence of mind to return his newfound friend to the river. I very much believe in catch and release. At least when it comes to fishing............
10:43:17 PM    comment []