On Sunday March 18th I set foot on the upper Kinni for a couple hours before a guide trip.  Arriving at my destination before the sun began to peak above the horizon.  The day was my birthday and the start of a new year of my life.  The birds were just beginning to chatter by the time I had my rod in hand and trekking down the trail to the first fishing stop.  I began to think about all of the adventures from the past year, the biggest being pursuing my initial teaching license in middle school science and Master’s in the Art of Teaching at Hamline University.  I will be finished with all of my pre-student teaching classes this summer and after student teaching this fall I should be a licensed teacher beginning 2013.  I am glad that I finally took the leap to get into teaching which is definitely one of my life passions.  I am eagerly waiting for the reality of my first steps into my very own classroom.

The solitude of my morning invigorated the beginning to my day and year.  Many pheasants were crowing and fluttering around in the tall grasses just out of my sight.  Several fish were caught mostly on a size 14 GB Airhead Pheasant Tail trailing fly but a few took the size 12 Black Copper John lead fly.  A few mayflies, stoneflies, and midges were in the air however the trout did not seem to care as they were aggressively swiping at my presentations. I did not see any other anglers in my brief outing, most were probably recovering from the St. Paddy’s day activities.

I headed back to the car to make the short trip to Kinni Creek Lodge where I would meet my clients for our time on the water.  For a few hours I joined a couple Gentlemen on the lower Kinnickinnic where several trout were caught on similar setups as described above.  I always enjoy sharing stories and learning about clients lives while helping them achieve their desired experience.

Today, I find myself dreaming about Steelhead and remember I had once written a short piece a few years back.  I found it and will include it below.  I will read the story and it helps take me back to those moments when my world it at peace.  I have been working on a fictional story for many years and one day hope to finish it.  I may include a few samples on here in the future.  Let me know what you think.

Moments of Steel

The world surrounding me is damp, dark,  and silent as the sun slices its way above the horizon.  A pastel mural on the clouds, a crisp chill in the air, leaves crunching under my feet as I follow the meandering trail.  I arrive at red rock hole, stretch a little as I watch my breath float away, remove my yarn fly from the hook keeper, and make a few drifts.  A slight smile comes to my face; I am in the zone now.  This cast is the one.  I feel a tap, tap.  Set the hook. Nothing.  I cast again.  Blood pumping with anticipation.  Nothing.  Again, nothing.  Again and Nothing.  Working the water looking for the spot.  This is the one.  Tap, Tap.  Set the hook and the game is on.  Feeling the power pounding on the end of my line.  The fish makes a screaming run up the hole, followed with an amazing aerial display.  Scrambling to take in line as the fish runs towards me.  Finally, I catch up when the fish makes a mad dash to leave the hole.  I let up on the tension and the fish immediately turns around back upstream.  I apply some pressure the angered fish takes off and leaps through the air and I catch a glimpse of the sacred chrome creature as my fly shoots past me.  Thankful for the chance I move on to cast again.