The first week of August presented me with ample opportunity to enjoy the River. Hot, almost sweltering days draw my attention to lapping waves, signing a song of cool relief. I have been in the River almost as much as I have been on it. Not long after entering the River do I realize that she is almost as warm as the air.
That initial plunge from a long reaching dive off of the dock, brushes aside the humid air and stagnation. The flight alone is well worth the run over the hot boards! I can feel the cool crisp breeze of my accelerated effort, as I launch from tip toes high above the River. With my hands clasped above my head, I enter her hidden world to unwind. My hair becomes pasted to my forehead and then relaxes to hover like cascading sea weed. My eyes search for the surface, where I break through like a new born baby. Such a soothing intimate relationship as the arms of the River envelope me and seep away the heat. The experience never gets dull or looses its grip of wonder.
Fishing was sporadic this past week with the wind being to strong or not strong enough. I managed some large perch, about six at each attempt, just enough to keep me honest. Six is really all that I need for a good meal in the morning. Every now and again a small mouth took my little jig to give raise the excitement level. The large ones all managed to throw the jig back during a leap while the under sized ones came in to be handled. To my surprise I have been catching a number of colorful sunfish this year.
Sunfish in the River have the most vibrate pattern of skin tones that I have ever come across. A bright orange belly converges into a pattern of wavy blues comingled with various greens that camouflage the sunny in the weed beds. Each one is like holding a rainbow with a tiny mouth attached! As a boy the sunny was our primary meal around the camp in the summer. They were large and came easily, taking a bit of worm suspended from a red and white bobber. I hope that the ones that I have been releasing are able to develop a secure population. I don’t have to keep any to taste them; I still remember the flavor of them snapping in a black skillet while the tails became crisp. I have heard that (we) people do not have the capacity to remember flavors, don’t try to tell my taste buds that while I am handing a Sunny!
Yesterday the river was just too perfect so my son and I had to strap on water-skis and take advantage of the glassy surface. I was first in the water and I’ll tell you there was absolutely no shock, it was like newly drawn bath water. I gave the signal and was on the surface without incident. As much as I enjoy my Lyman seeing her from the water always gives me a smile. I jumped the wake several times to admire both sides of her hull; she just seems to smile all of the time.
Being on skis is really like walking on water. I can’t even hear the motor running, just the sounds of the streaming wake and rippling River bubbles under the planks I ride upon. Steve took the plunge after my enjoyable ride and had a nagging need to go slalom. He entertained us with some very nice flips while the skis darted off in different directions. He eventually took to one board and showed fine form in his efforts. As a matter of fact he did so well that I could not help but add to his adventure. I gave the motor all she had and whipped him to each side of the hull, in an attempt to see some more unrehearsed acrobatics. He held firm and laughed the whole incident off with a broad smile (rotten kid). “That was a great ride Pap, but I wish that you had a larger outboard then maybe things would have turned out the way you intended.”
I noticed that someone has circled a day (mi-month) on the calendar, on the fridge. It would seem that someone thinks that I will some how forget our anniversary. Nonsense! In thirty six years I have not missed a one. Why… right now I am plying over my choices for the perfect gift. I have it whittled down to one of two. Perhaps a nice new Dutch oven, one that will be a proper kettle for fish chowder, something colorful and pretty like her. On the other hand if I were to purchase a new ultra light fishing rod I could spend more time on the River. That would allow her to enjoy some peach and quiet around the cabin while using the lap top. Being prepared is not nearly as important as being thoughtful…
