Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words


Relax! There are no pictures today but not a thousand words either. 
About this time a year ago,  I rose early and wasted an hour looking for my point and shoot  camera. Finally, giving up, I headed off fly rod in hand for "The Arches." Let me describe - The Arches is an ancient steel truss bridge spanning an upper reach of the South Branch of the Root River. It's called the Arches because only to a fisherman and cows in the pasture below the bridge, does it become obvious that the structure is held up by limestone pillar spans in the manner that the ancient Roman engineers had perfected.

 It's a small valley stream here with pools and riffles perfectly inviting for trout and fishermen alike. Opposite the pasture, stand limestone bluffs reaching a hundred feet or more in height. The kind of view prevails here that Meriwether Lewis once described of the Upper Missouri as one of "perfect enchantment." Atop the bluff, stand huge white pines, obviously missed by the lumber barons of a hundred years ago, because of their awkward positioning. Red cedar and some yews find places to grow on the face of the cliff.
I headed downstream flicking my nymphs into the sparkling clear water. There is a rhythm to fly-fishing that sets time and larger issues aside. Still, the first outing of the year often takes time to capture that mood. Catching trees and bushes can do that. Not today though. Everything seemed perfect. Till coming around a bend I was beset by the angry honking of numerous nesting Canada geese. Probably a good thing I had decided to leave Baron, my GSD, behind. I might have had a riot on my hands!.

 The corker was when I looked up, hearing much hissing far above me. I couldn't believe what I saw. Two geese were staring down at me from a ledge near the top of the cliff. They had built a nest up there in swallow country. And then they jumped off the ledge and were swooping down in my direction. Is this how Londoners had felt under the German blitz in 1940? I quickly abandoned my strongpoint and headed down stream.
I looked for some morels but we needed rain and some warmer weather. The floods of the last few years had drastically changed the channel. Old favorite pools were gone now and new ones were created to be explored. I saw dozens of warblers but without binocs  I couldn't tell what kind.

 I hiked for a couple of hours, so glad that my knee replacement of several years ago, allowed me to do what I so much love doing. Still, I wasn't in my thirties anymore. In those days I hiked up and over mountains in Montana to reach those honey holes. Now, I was just glad to be out and about in one of the most beautiful places in our country. BTW I did manage to catch a few nice brown trout.... but that's not really the point is it?

26 comments:

  1. I try to carry a point and shoot with me all the time. I have one that fits in my shirt pocket. It is a Lumix.

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  2. Great story. I was surprised to see how common it is for Canada Geese to nest in high places such as trees and the bluff you describe. The ducklings leave the nest and make their way to water within 24 hours of hatching. They leap from the nest to follow the mother and father, despite being too young to fly.

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  3. You paint a lovely picture with words.

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  4. No, catching the trout was just the bonus for such a wonderful day of exploring. So glad your knee is doing its job for you. :-)

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  5. Hi tb...what a great story. I can just picture the place. Having outdoor hobbies is so rewarding because you can enjoy your hobby while enjoying nature. I hope your knee is still doing okay!

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  6. Nicely done, I can picture it in my mind's eye!

    Also, when I think of fly fishing, I think of "A River Runs Through It".

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  7. I love a happy ending. That you were not carried away by eagles or assaulted any other way and brought some brown trout home for dinner as well.

    Cheers,

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  8. The honkers almost got you..great visuals! Glad you had some success! Sounds like a beautiful spot to fish. We have browns in the nearby lake..they say they are really deep in the water..something about downriggers..I do know that Straight River is supposed to be one of the best Trout Streams in Minnesota:)

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  9. You're a very talented story writer...eloquent and funny. Loved this story.

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  10. I don't fish but being on a stream is wonderfully appealing and relaxing.
    Funny place for geese to nest. Great story, well told.

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  11. Nice fishing trip. Fishers get so much more than fish.

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  12. Lovely word picture you painted. Just to be there and to enjoy would make catching anything secondary or maybe not all that important.

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  13. I think you did a great job of painting word pictures. I especially like your description of your encounter with the dive-bombing geese.

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  14. Geese can be so bratty. Sounds like a good adventure you had.

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  15. Great story. You are a good story-teller.. I love reading these kinds of blog stories.. They are SO real!!!! Loved hearing about your encounter with the geese. Surprised that their nest was up high...

    Love to watch people who fly-fish... There's an ART to it, isn't there?
    Betsy

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  16. I looked at a few fly rods at Bass Pro, headed to Cabelas and Scheels tommorrow. I have mushroom fever bad and looking forward to find some after 4-19, my date to always find a few,hopefully.

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  17. Oh there was certainly no need for words I felt like I was right there.Your writing had me trailing along behind and running from the geese. The descriptions put the image in my head and I never want to let go. It sounds like the perfect place. B

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  18. that does indeed sound like the loveliest place in the world - even tho your words did a fine job of describing your adventure, i'd love to see some photos when you finally find your camera! enjoy the good life, TB!

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  19. Oh, your country description near the arches is intriguing. Nature at its best. Limestone bluffs, Canadian geese, warblers, white pines, cedars etc. -- what a wonderful natural spot. You are fortunate to have that area for your old fishing holes. -- barbara

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  20. I think your way with words painted a thousand pictures.

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  21. Haha ~ no photo needed. You painted a perfect picture! You are too funny.

    Wishing you, your sweetie, Baron and Simba a most wonderful Easter weekend my friend! (Hope I didn't forget anyone!) ;)

    xo Catherine

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  22. You didn't need photos....your words painted the wonderful picture (the movie, really, I could certainly hear those geese hectoring you) so very well. I felt as if I were there with you.

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  23. Brings back memories of fishing with my dad.We once carried an aluminum boat a mile up a stream to get into a hidden trout pond.I think You give a better description with your words than a camera could with a photo. Happy Easter weekend to you and your family!

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  24. Wow, ledge-nesting geese! Hope you find that camera--can't wait to see some pics of this place, including the limestone pillars.

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  25. I'm glad you got a shot of the ledge hugging goose!

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