A great day on the creek - by L. Armstrong

Being on the Ranch and at the creek in it's self is a great day, but there is more.

Having not had much time this summer to go fishing and the weather being hot, I had only made two or three short fishing trips to the creek.

We got a break in the heat and a small rain shower and I had a free day to do what ever I wanted.
When the rain began to lighten up I decided it was time to try and do some fishing.

Having taken up the challenge of fly fishing about four years ago I decided to try and improve my skills which needed a lot of work. So I gathered up my gear and got out the White River fly rod and reel that Deanna gave me for Christmas about three years ago and tied on what is my favorite fly. It is a small grayish one with a gold beaded head and put on a small strike indicator about 30 inches up the 2# test leader line.

I loaded all on my ATV and headed to the creek. It was about 9:30 and I was all alone on that spot on the creek. I waded out and started getting the feel of my equipment after not being used for a while.

It was only a very short time before I seen that strike indicator disappear and I set the hook. What a great feeling it was to feel that resistance on my line and the rod bending sharply as the trout began it's dance, it raced up and down the stream and made several jumps trying to beat me at the game. After giving me all it had and the pleasure of the fight on the end of my line, it was satisfying to be able to release this weary opponent.

It was a cloudy cool morning and the trout were aggressive. In about a two and a half hour period of time I hooked, battled and released 19 beautiful fish. Three or four more had battled me for a minute or two and won, but that was ok. When you enjoy the sport of catch and release it's the hook and battle that counts not the release. Just to feel the pull and watch the dance is all the reward one can ask for.

As great as the day was it was going to get better. While back at the camper I was telling Deanna what a great day of fishing I had and we were trying to decide what time to go up to the restaurant to eat and I said I'd like to go back again if I had time. Checking the schedule of fishing time it showed that I could fish up until 8:00 o'clock. We decided to eat early to give me time.

At about 5:30 I gathered my gear and tied on another of my favorite beaded flys and headed back to the creek. When I waded out I noticed the water was very dingy and I thought it might not be good for fly fishing, but I was here and going to give it a try. It hadn't been more than 5 minutes until that strike indicator shot under and I set the hook and the battle was on. In the next two hours I must have seen that indicator go under some 75 to 80 times and before the time ran out I had battled and released 25 nice trout and about 5 or more that had beaten me in the battle and released themselves.

I may never have a second day this good, but I have the memories of this one day. Life is too short not to have a few days in your life worth remembering.

Larry Armstrong