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I had planned on a big report on the two 'Fish-In's. The one
in Quebec, Canada and at Grayling, Michigan. But, right now
I am still at a lose for words. The reason the words don't
seem to come is the feelings I still have from the two events.
Probably one of the words would be gratitude. It was a
surprise. Completely a surprise. I (we) had been 'wound so tight'
leading up to the trip that when it actually happened we were
both taken totally by surprise by how wonderfully we were treated.
Oh, here is a picture from the Michigan one. A couple of young
fly-fishers heading out to hit the 'evening' rise. I snapped this
as my wife and I were siting on a stream-side bench in front of
'Gates Au Sable Lodge'. We watched these boys for quite a while.
Fascinating. Oh to be that age again. Either grandmother or
grandfather kept an eye on the kids at all times.
As you know we burned the 'midnight oil' to get things done
before the two week vacation; took the red-eye (10 pm) Sunday
evening and didn't return until two Sunday's later. We had
some problems on the air flights. Big deal, who cares, everyone
does. The days spent in Quebec were sensational. In three days
of casting my friggin' arm off I had one small salmonoid thing
rise to my fly. It missed it on the way up, leaped over it and
missed it on the way down. My wife caught a brookie of about
five pounds. We will never know for sure as it engaged itself
with a small branch as she was reaching to land it. Good-by.
We pigged-out of one of the same size, Chris caught and weighed
it, first time I ever had my fill of brookie. The three of us ate
him for dinner. Him and some sides that Chris cooked up on his camp
stove. Guys, it just doesn't get any better than that.
But, perhaps equaled. Fishing for sea run brookie's on the fjord
with who had to be the worlds greatest hosts and two of his
cohorts. One English and one French. Faruk Ekich was our host
for a most memorable day of friendship, fishing and food.
Authentic cuisine prepared by the host himself at his beach
cottage. What a place. Located above a wide and pleasant
shoreline, perfect for casting a fly from the beach. What
an adventure we had. Pictures will follow.
After a week in the great Northeast we flew back to Detroit
and up to Traverse City, Michigan, then drove down to the lodge
east of Grayling. Got there mid afternoon on Monday the
'something or other'. Relaxed on Tuesday, gave a casting
program Wednesday noon and a slide program that evening.
Played with various fly rods each morning in front of our
unit except Thursday when we drove to Rogers City, summer
home of Deanna's during her childhood. It was a good day,
lots of things were still pretty much the same.
The boys moved 'The Dinner' up to Friday evening. Several
thousand pounds of smoked/cooked/grilled brisket. Secret
recipes, you know how it is. If I told ya, I would have to...
Another pig-out was in store. I won't mention I ate pan-fried
perch almost every other night we were at Gates Au Sable
Lodge. There is no way, there are no words quite right, for
me to describe how well we were treated. I was not expecting
it and certainly not use to it. We are just regular folks who
work our butts off trying to keep this web site going. I was
in the company of fine people. People I can call friends. They
were the special ones.
Oh, here is another picture.
We were still sitting on the bench. The little guy had
gone in and that is his brother out there in front of
the canoe. Dedicated kids. He survived and continued
fly fishing until dark. I would like to comment on the
last picture but the beer company might not like it.
Saturday was our 33rd wedding anniversary and that evening
we went upstream to Keystone Landing and just watched the
evening rise. This was exactly where we met and were also
married. Brought back good thoughts. We did not disturb the
fish. They seemed to be contented with the way things were;
as were we. It was good to get away for a while.
We will get you some pictures soon. Still coming in. I just
loaded about 150 on this PC.
Oh yes, I did some casting too. ~ JC
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