Still life in moving water

John Gierach wrote in Still life with brook trout "I like to think that fisherman eventually absorb the pace set by flowing water and end up going through life in a more or less relaxed way: so much so that at times the rest of the world might think we're a little dim-witted. Maybe that's true (I hope so), but it always amazes me that as soon as we climb behind a steering wheel at the end of the day, we're right back going balls to the wall."

This is an accurate description of what I recently experienced. Will (see his excellent post here)and I just got back yesterday evening from a couple of days hunting wild trout in the Ozarks. We were at one of the few streams that contain a self sustaining population of trout in our state of mostly warm water fishing (which is nothing to sneeze at) and stocked/synthetic trout. We took a couple days off for this little adventure and it didn't materialize until the last minute - hence the reason a few more friends (the Rons) didn't make it. Next time we'll make sure they can make it as they would have been in heaven.
Our tent was about 50 feet from where we waded into the stream and where we caught out first wild Missouri trout. Monday held nearly 40 trout for me -
mostly 6-10" fish with a couple 12"ers mixed in. Will caught less but he also caught a very nice 18" fish that put up a very respectable battle on his 3 weight. I was using my new 2 weight and even though we had some stiff winds I never felt under-equipped. Most of Wills fish came on dry flies and most of mine were on nymphs. The water temperature the first day was about 55. Tuesday further upstream it was around 60. The weather was nearly perfect with highs in the lower 60's Monday with the lows in the low 40's Tuesday we were comfortable in the upper 60's. Tuesday we inadvertently fish the smallmouth/goggle eye section with only a few chub and bluegill to mention for our efforts (Will did actually catch a trout in that section). After realizing my impeccable sense of misdirection had once again reared it's ugly head, we turbo-waded upstream to catch another couple dozen trout before heading home. While heading back to the trusty Subaru, we both remarked that we could spend a lot more time there but that we were able to go back home and to work well rested and renewed.
We ran into several significant obstAcles while out there and blood was drawn more than once, we'd do it again a hundred times over. We had some laughs and serious conversations and felt true rejuvenation which was deeply needed. Even though a warm water angler in the deepest corners of my being, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.
Today I'm back at work as busy as ever but feeling more rested and somewhat capable of handling the stresses of whatever comes to me.
Pictures to follow soon.

The two weight

A few days ago I received a 2wt Sage TXL and Sage 3100 that I bought for what I feel is a terrific price from one of the esteemed members at the Ultralight Fly Fishing Forum.  A few weeks ago I was given a 4wt TXL and Click III to demo by my friends at Feather-Craft.  Well, even though I felt like the weight was a bit much for what I normally do I was entirely smitten with the way the rod fished and cast.  The reel was one of the most amazing pieces of machined aluminum I've ever handled - the quality and weight (lessness) was truly impressive. 
While I couldn't afford a new TXL or Click I started to look around and through conversations with someone on the forum I was able to strike up a deal for a rod and a 3100 reel.  I was able to sell some stuff I didn't need, do a small woodworking project and fold a trade into the deal.  After what seemed like forever I received the rod and reel a few days ago. 
Enough about the process.  I was able to get out yesterday afternoon to fish a local urban pond.  Fishing was horribly slow but I didn't really notice as I was having so much fun casting the rod.  The only bite I got was by this little white bass (I think it's a white as I don't remember what the difference between a white and a hybrid).
 
I fished it again this morning at a little 'secret' pond at a local conservation area before work.  This is the place where Will and I have always caught very nice, fat bluegill.  Not a single bite.  I'm curious if it has been fished out by others who've found it and thought it was a secret pond with an endless supply of fish.  It's only an acre at best so it's entirely possible for the significant population of fish in there to be caught and taken.  I didn't realize until I was driving to work that I didn't catch a single fish or get a single bite - which both bothered me and delighted me.  Bothered me because of my concerns mentioned above.  Delighted me because I felt that 2 weight was such a joy to cast. 
Tomorrow morning I hope to fish another little pond on the way to work.  Hopefully I'll get some fish on to see how well it performs with a live 'fish test'.

Something you have to see

It's not fly fishing, it's not freshwater but it's pretty amazing.
Check it out here
(sorry I couldn't figure out how to embed the video)

And now, something completely different...

A few days ago, my almost six year old daughter Maren called me at work.  She was evidently quite distraught and had recently recovered from being freaked out.  You see, when she was eating her granola, she bit on an almond and it immediately loosened a bottom front tooth.  To say the least, she was quite startled, and freaking out ensued.  Each day after that we expected it to be loose enough to pull but it wasn't and I wasn't allowed to use my pliers.  Last night, we agreed that today was the day and after breakfast we'd make a go at the extrusion.  Well, during breakfast today everything was relatively uneventful with anticipation of the pending removal.  When Maren took her bowl to the sink after she was done, she stopped dead in her tracks and exclaimed "TOOTH!" (sometimes she prefers to use single words to explain the most profound truths).  Apparently her tooth came out during breakfast consumption and went the way of all breakfasts.  She was quite upset that the Tooth Fairy would not come now.  But I assured her with a story from my childhood.  The short of it: when I was in kindergarten I lost a tooth and never found it but the Tooth Fairy still came.  I told her that we would work on drawing a picture of her tooth and put it under her pillow tonight for the Tooth Fairy.

The ultimatum

I've been given an ultimatum by She-Who-Does-Not-Want-To-Be-Called Mrs. Bream Bum.  Bring home some fish to eat or no more fishing for the month of September.  A little harsh, right?  Not really.  If I calculate it right, I'll just keep one or two keepers and space it out until we have a meal, with some decent fishing in between.
Will and I braved the 25 mph winds yesterday evening to fish at a lake in Busch Wildlife Area.  We fished for an hour and a half trying to brave the winds and dodge the flies (see previous post).  We decided to look at the map to see what another lake would be that would not be a wind tunnel and decided to head over there.
Fishing was a little slow but I ended up catching a very nice 15" white crappie and a 9" redear to bring home.  The funny thing was that after I unhooked the crappie and dropped the fly in the water - while we admired the fish and had a photo op - when I picked up my rod to start casting again the huge redear was on!  When I unhooked the redear and put it in the ice chest and picked up the rod I had another, smaller redear on!  Pretty fun night, and it was a start toward my fulfillment of the deal. 
Another crazy thing was that two bats started to fight right in front of us and they fell into the water but only one flew away.  Did a huge bass to come up and eat the remaining bat?  No, but we hoped that would happen while we were watching.  Maybe next time.

We felt some of the cool fall air start to make it's approach and were very excited to begin some fall fishing patterns.  I'm really looking forward to this fall's fishing events.  Hopefully we'll get into some 'native' (wild, self sustaining) Missouri trout, huge bass and bream - which are my goals for this fall.