Mountain Fork trout...

Wednesday evening's first fish was a spirited thirteen inch butter colored brown trout. By sundown I had seven more trout half of them browns...a great start to the Mountain Fork trip.

After a slow start this fat rainbow kicked off the bite Thursday morning. From there it got better, sort of. I lost three large trout in about thirty minutes.  One I'm sure would have been my all time personal best rainbow but after three beautiful leaps and long runs back and across the large, deep and rocky pool she called home she unbuttoned with a last minute power lunge to free herself from the waiting net. Too much trout for an old man and a size 20 hook.

My guide for the day tried to capture one of those gorgeous jumps on my camera but ended up with only the huge splash she made when she fell back into the river. That scene will fill my thoughts and dreams for some time to come.  I would have released her anyway but it would have been nice to say I caught her. I used my magic to seduce her to take the fur and feather lashed to a tiny hook, she used hers to show me she was no push-over and didn't like being fooled one bit.

Emergers...

Choctaw fur and feathers amulet for conversations with Mountain Fork trout.

footnote: LMF trout did not want to talk to this guy but there were other bones in the bag. Actually I only tried this Wednesday evening. The rest of the week I couldn't argue with the success of other magic so it never got wet again.

Yard work is done...

Yard work is done. The rest of the day is devoted to packing for my trip to the Mountain Fork River nestled in the Kiamichi country of southeastern Oklahoma. Below the Broken Bow reservoir is several miles of year round trout fishing, above the game is smallmouth, sand bass, and walleye. This trip I will be paying the trout a visit. The deep rocky river canyons are dotted with pine and hardwoods that sport brilliant colors in the fall and lush green in the spring...a beautiful place to converse with the fish. Once I've packed and double checked my list I plan to set down at my vise and spin some Oklahoma trout magic with fur and feather and fish talk. Preparing for a trip is a big part of the pleasure and the excitement. Wish me luck and good conversation with the Sooner trout.

Thunder showers...

Photograph by Stephanie Goodson

Thunder showers this morning; a great early morning stimulate. The thunder brings to mind the strength and power of the natural, the gentle rain its promise of sustenance.

Sunrise magic...

Sunrise Heads Lake

There's magic in sunrises. The face of the earth wakes with a warm smile that invokes the spirit voices of songbirds. A lifetime of sunrises has taught me to listen closely; their message may be for you. Understanding that you yourself are as much a part of these awakenings as all that your eyes behold can give your spirit ears to hear voices of nature that can edify and nurture your mind and soul. Be grateful and listen.