It was an odd time for a trip, but on Sat. night at around midnight the
water was flowing just right that I knew it was as good of a time for a trip
as any. I even coaxed my wife to go, though she was a bit nervous at first.
It was a good thing she went too, as the trip would have been meaningless
without her and my newest and best fishing pal that I met for the first time
(much) later on the trip.

We arrived at around 2 a.m.; we had scoped out this particular destination
beforehand, so we pretty much knew where we wanted to go although the
nervousness and the late hour confounded us a little. We eventually settled
in, and at around 5 a.m., the action started to pick up a little, but
nothing was to be immediately brought to hand. Tara and I (really, more her
than me) began working in earnest around noon, and at 1:41 p.m. on Sunday,
September 12th, 2004 we landed our first son, Luke Isaac Carter, in a
miraculous display of strength, endurance, exhaustion, humility and humanity
on the part of mother and son especially, but also doctors, nurses and maybe
even grandma and dad too...who played a much more hands-on role than
anticipated. A more handsome, vibrant and fascinating fishing partner there
never was, and I look forward to spending as much time with him as he and
fate will allow.

I've only recently and briefly arrived home from S.A.H. and am anxious to
return. Mother and son are doing great and dad is just as thankful for that
as could be.

Take care,
Tim (Luke's Dad)