MajorOz wrote:
As a CO / WY native, I have put in some time fly fishing. Being now
near the MO / AR line, there is "some", but, good as it is and as HUGE
as the browns are, it feels...........different.

It couldn't be that these old eyes almost pop out while trying to tie
on a #22 zebra, after a life of #10 elk hair caddis?

It couldn't be 42 degree water that threatens to cover you up if you
don't run fast enough when the horn sounds?

It couldn't be the Memphis and Little Rock Yuppies with their zillion
dollar outfits using rods as if they were blacksnake whips?

Could it be...........could it be.........just an old man bitching
about what he thought it used to be?

No, trout fishing, real trout fishing, hasn't been relegated to
the past tense. It is still what you always thought it was. But
you're not going to find it in some phony baloney tailwater in
Arkansas.

But, it is gorgeous. More mornings with the "glory", the Great Blue
Herons doing their ground effect glides within five feet of me not
more than a foot off the water. The kingfishers chewing everyone's
ass while diving into the shallows.

When the air is 100+, standing in cut-off's and reef-walkers in ice
water is ........ refreshing.

But, at least I don't have to hike miles in to find the water. I can
drive right to this area.

As one ages, the compensations make up for the "old man's bitching".

...and I still catch them....on my old home-made rods .... and my old
shaggy flies....five nice 12-16 yesterday.

Whatever blows your dress up, I guess. If the only place I could
fish was below Bull Shoals or Norfork I'd give it up and take up
golf. Or shuffleboard. Or checkers.

--
Ken Fortenberry