Dear River…

Dear River…

We need to talk.

I think you know that I really like you, right? I mean, I’ve visited you more than a few times, just in less than 2 weeks, and have admired your beautiful trees…

… your cool and refreshing waters …

… and the myriad types, colors, and shapes of rocks you have polished and placed along your path.

I can’t overstate how nice it has been to discover and get to know you.

But…

…the thing is…

…you have this habit that we need to discuss.

I get that you seem to like the flies I tie, and I agree that they really do compliment the glassy surface of your waters, but I tie them with the hope that your fish might be enticed to sample them. You know, so I can expand my circle of friends to include the Bows and Cutts that call you home.

That said…please stop taking them from me and not offering up something in return. You and your little crouching cohorts (Mr. and/or Mrs. Foliage) have taken from me more flies than I lost all of last year (okay, I seriously under-fished 2021, so maybe this isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison) and have thus far only offered up a brief view of one (really lovely) trout, although he clearly had been taught how to spit a hook before being properly landed (some kind of guerilla training manual in use, there?) so I never had the chance to properly introduce myself.

Let’s be fair. If you really like my flies that much, just let me know which ones are your favorites, and I will tie up a batch without hooks, and freely give them to you. In exchange, maybe you teach your trout to rush up and jump into my offered landing net, on their own?

Please?

Actually, that would take much of the enjoyment out of the experience, wouldn’t it?

Nevermind.

Keep the flies and I will continue trying to outsmart your fish (wow, that says a lot about me, doesn’t it?). Perhaps, just a peak at the guerilla warfare manual the fish wrote…you know, to even it up just a bit? Or, maybe just a heads-up when the trout that lives here is getting hungry?

I’d really like that second chance to introduce myself to him/her!

Oh, and maybe get your heater serviced, too. Even just a couple of degrees would be a big help.

Thanks for listening. I mean, I think you’re listening. Honestly, I can’t even tell. You might want to work on that, too.

Tight lines…