RECONNAISSANCE
FOR NEXT WEEKEND
Too Close To The Road
probably very few fishers
just for Neal
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.. On a well known but little fished section 
of a not too secret stream will be a few of our better informed neighbors; come May 29, 2010... There will be bugs in the air, (rain or shine,)
but the anglers here will be gently drifting soft hackles and other bits of dandruff in the slowest and darkest undercuts on this bit of "little water.".. It's known as "The Chutes," and that's enough of that.
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.. On that very same day, hundreds of elbows and some waders of fame will file lockstep to the Firehole River... They will be happy, nay - overjoyed, to be returning to Yellowstone National Park
for another season of feather flinging... GOOD ON 'EM. May they be blessed with dense hatches and eager fish.
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.. We, on the other hand, will be starting our Grayling quest early this year. Getting skunked last year was just about too much to bear. The gray ghost can not have completely disappeared from these waters - or can they have?.. The nuisance of catching 40 brookies an hour will have to be tolerated in our attempt to find one of the finicky fish with the spotted sail.
.. We'll be able to cast from the car, should we choose to. We won't have to get wet if it rains. The snow will not bother us. The thermos and flask will be near at hand. The cigar won't get soggy.
.. It's not fishing the "Wild Yellowstone" of posters and postcards. Shame on us!
.. There's not a geyser, fumerole, mud pot, or hot spring in sight. There probably will be dogs, three-year-olds, and screaming. Placid or pastoral can, in no way, be applied to the scene we will be a part of. Shame on us!
.. When the knees start to shake we can retire to the car, just steps away. When the thunder and lightning arrive we won't have to run too far. Shame on us.
.. It's not the opening day of fish scribes, bloggers, or feather merchants: sorry. There will be no double hauling, reach casting, loop winging, or finger stripping; damn!
.. Stories and fables will not enter into the equation. Mediterranean arm and hand gestures will never be used to discuss the catches and fishes.
.. It's just not going to be poetic. It'll just be another day fishing, with the hope of dancing with a gray ghost.
.. We're sorry, but we probably won't see you on the 29th of May. The road is just to close to the water, and the name of the river doesn't start with an "F."
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