A short spot of time shuffling along high and dry rocks and shallows. Looking at Stonefly shucks. Caddis casings and their crawl trails beneath the water. The expected Fall colors and fluttering leaves landing upon the water. The upriver wind strong and the October Caddis pattern propelled upriver creating instant drag despite mends. Downriver presentations danced and skittered produced strikes. Nice sized trout porpoised across the surface as Caddis and Mayflies elevate away in the brisk wind. Slightly under dressed for chill, a long walk back to the rig….I knew that my fishing time would be reduced as my body heat dwindled.

I had success bringing fish to the surface and near with Dries and Large Pupa. I had a trout follow my Pupa as I raised it toward the surface. The fish was tracking the fly a good three feet on its side, almost belly up, reaching for the pattern before it veered off near the surface. Perfect water, perfect pace, I regretted not selecting the two hander, but I wasn’t sure of the current Steelhead run’s progress up river; perhaps I was well beneath them by now.

I felt the chill increase. The ankle, wrist, lower back and neck said enough. With a good half mile back to go, I shuffled along picking my route and taking in the Fall beauty. I stopped half way and hunkered down out of the wind to smoke my briar and take in the river. The walk back completed, I stood at the tail gate stripping down and stowing away the gear, but not the peaceful memories.

Simple sights, simple beauty. A slow pace back allows one to look about. Not busy powering from A to B, you have time to see not just feel.