Cast & Blast: November 2008

Nov 23, 2008

First Geese

In laws took me to the Duck Club for an evening hunt. We had the Lucky Duck set up and some duck decoys. Right before dark a goose came flying in right at the Lucky. I shot it and it went down, but then it took off running. Both Ron and I took off after it. I was not going to let my first goose get away. Then about 5 minutes later another goose came flying in and I was able to drop that one as well. I was stoked for my first couple of geese.

Like many fly fisherman.....I often do not start fishing until the cool of the evening. Then in the Arctic half-light of the canyon, all existence fades to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise. Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.

---Norman Maclean