...for the first time in 37 years. My fishing genesis began back in 1972 at the end of a pier on Catalina Island which is about 22 miles off of the coast of California. Through no skill of my own, I caught the largest fish of anyone that week....or so I was told. The local newspaper reporter types took a photo of me holding a huge Sheepshead fish by the nasty gills. And there endeth my fishing career until last week.
I was hiking in the Uinta Mountains with two of my boys when I stumbled on a natural collection pond swollen in a slow running stream about two hours from the trail head and cross country about fifty yds off the trail tucked in a swampy meadow.
I saw some beautiful trout swimming lazily at the edge looking for some tasty treats. Something latent clicked on in my subconscious and I had an irresistible urge to go back and fish that pond.
I've looked forward to it all week. Tonight I went to Cabelas and bought a license, some flies and sundry tackle. I was given a nice pole and reel by a Browning rep some 5 years ago. I retrieved it from behind my safe and verified its operation. I just finished gathering everything I'll need for the hike in and now I wait. At almost 50 yrs. old I have always been a sportsman, but the prospect of a new adventure has me as giddy as a child on Christmas eve...
Wish me luck.