We always hear great stories here. Good days afield, sun shining, eager trout looking up, a nice picnic in a scenic spot, and wonderful equipment serving us well as we enjoy the outdoor spaces where trout live while catching a few for quick snapshots to share with friends.
But there are other days…the ones when we do not take pictures to share…
Like the one I had recently where I hiked a long way, to gain access to a difficult stream I suspected had seen little pressure. When I got there, I discovered that the stream was relatively infertile, the trout were small and few…and then it began to rain. And…it was still a long way back to my Jeep.
I don’t mean it rained…I mean it poured! So, I hunkered down in the least-lightning-attracting spot I could find to wait it out. Did I say it poured? I had my light rain jacket on but was somehow wet both inside and out. As the storm spent its fury on the hills around me, I listened to lightning and counted slowly to anxiously know if it was coming closer or moving away…comforted little by the fact that my glass flyrod was not graphite.
The creek began to rise and clouded with silt due to the heavy rain and I realized I needed to get to the trail side of the stream or I might not be able to cross soon, as the upstream waters channeled into the drainage. Since I was wading wet, I crossed the waist-deep stream, thankful I did not have waders on as they would have filled with water.
Once across, I scrambled up a few hundred feet to access the trail and began the long slog back to the trailhead….soaking wet.
Fortunately, the Jeep started…or it would have been the non-perfect ending to a non-perfect day.
But we learn things we wanted to know on each trip.
I wonder what is around that next bend…??
I know I am not alone here.