Back In The River

This morning, and most mornings these days, I am in the Battenkill River. I am there close to 6AM - before most of the morning chores and the day's work. I am hoping to catch a trout with the small set of skills I have acquired over the years as a fly-fisher. It is a large hope.

It's quiet and lovely. The Battenkill is perfect in its lack of activity. There are no kayaks, canoes, or tubers yet. There are just us anglers and very few of us on weekday mornings. The river is so clean that I can see the trout twenty yards away and cast right to them. Sometimes they swim right up to my fly, sniff at it, and take off. Sometimes they bite and I try to hook them and fail. Sometimes I just want an excuse to stand in the river at dawn and not look crazy.

I just spend an hour or so, and rarely catch a fish. Today I got a few bites and learned what flies to use in that place and time. Yesterday I caught some brown trout, two small ones, and released them back into the water. It was a thrill worth the wait and the work.

P.S. I am selling my fiddle and some antiques on Facebook, if you are interested in some unique items or instruments, please let me know via email or FB. Thanks!

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