This morning I sat underneath the laurel and watched a maple leave float down the mountain stream. It is a cool, blue sky day. As I sat there I watched the trout occasionally rise to bite at some unseen insect floating down the stream. Here and there a yellow or red leaf floated down and landed on the forest floor. Beside me sat my Weimaraner, Kaiser, waiting for me to catch a fish. It has taken me three years to get him to not charge up and down the creek side, spooking ever fish for miles upstream. He is my fishing partner and no person or animal gets near without Kaiser letting me know. It is a good feeling to have him with me.
After a few minutes of studying the pool I made a cast to the top of the pool and slowing worked my lure, a 1/64 oz. Beatle Spin minus the spin, down the pool. As I had made my cast Kaiser tense up but remained seated next to me. Out of nowhere there was a flash of color and my line went tight and after a minute or so of excitement I had landed a beautiful 6” rainbow. Kaiser nearly knocked me down wanting to smell the fish I held in my hand. I gently lowered my hand into the water and released the fish and then woke from my day dream.
Kaiser and the trout have both been gone for 30 years now but I hold found memories of both in my mind and you know that the Polk County stream is still there and I hear it calling my name. It won’t be as enjoyable fishing by myself but God’s many gifts of fall leaves, clear water and a beautiful fish are still there to be enjoyed.