Subtle
A flash of deep-running green
The faintest of ripples
My popper
Quietly evaporated
More trout sip than bass strike
Had I been off woolgathering
Drifting somewhere else with my thoughts
As I often do while fishing these waters
I’d have missed it
It wouldn’t have been the first time
Nor would it have been the last
But I didn't
A hard strip
A lift of the rod tip
Again
Subtle no longer
A cartwheel
A tailwalk
A slashing run downstream
A headshake
One last, desperate leap for freedom
Off
Hard, brave work
Rewarded by a slip of the hook
A long-line release
Untouched return to safe, comfortable depths
My popper
Quietly revaporated
Good for you, Mr. Bass
Good for you
A flash of deep-running green
The faintest of ripples
My popper
Quietly evaporated
More trout sip than bass strike
Had I been off woolgathering
Drifting somewhere else with my thoughts
As I often do while fishing these waters
I’d have missed it
It wouldn’t have been the first time
Nor would it have been the last
But I didn't
A hard strip
A lift of the rod tip
Again
Subtle no longer
A cartwheel
A tailwalk
A slashing run downstream
A headshake
One last, desperate leap for freedom
Off
Hard, brave work
Rewarded by a slip of the hook
A long-line release
Untouched return to safe, comfortable depths
My popper
Quietly revaporated
Good for you, Mr. Bass
Good for you
"Hard, brave work
ReplyDeleteRewarded by a slip of the hook"
Sometimes, I'm happy when this happens...as they've earned it.
A fine piece, Mike. A fine piece.
Absolutely, Erin. This post was inspired by exactly that feeling. A nice bass got away, yesterday, and all I could do was smile and say "Good for you."
ReplyDeleteSometimes the acrobatics and pull on the end of the line is all the reward we need, or deserve.
ReplyDeletewonderfully written...awesome stuff!
Way more than we deserve, Sean. Way more.
ReplyDeleteAlrighty Mike, you really got me on this one. Great writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Howard. I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteMike, I really enjoyed this! Sometimes all we need is or remember are those "Happy Hook Ups".
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Mel. Those hookups lost are much more vivid in my memory than the fish I've brought to hand. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThis year I've got a bit more obsessive about tracking those that self release. Not sure why. In my minds eye, they're all trophies and I like it that way.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I obsess over them, but they do stay with me. Trophies all, indeed, all to be caught another day.
ReplyDeleteI identify with the long line release all too much. Nicely written.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RR. And I have mastered the LLR.
ReplyDelete