Fishing to a Tune

Summer is here, the ice is gone and the boat is ready. It is time to explore the lake and time to visit all our special fishing holes. The other night the weather was gorgeous, the lake was calm and I decided it was a great time to wet a line. The boat affectionately referred to as the “Tin Yacht” is on the shore and it takes only minutes to launch, start the motor and be away. Being familiar with the preparations, the dogs beat me by at least 50 yards and are in the boat before I even get to the beach.

In 10 minutes I am at the mouth of my favorite creek, turn the motor off and set up to do a little fly-fishing. I have brought along a special fishing rod, one that a Japanese client gave me some years ago.

The entire rod comes in an 18 inch long, one inch in diameter, graphite tube. It has one open end that is plugged with a rubber stopper. I remove this and starting with a 1/16″ tip, I keep pulling out sections of graphite rod until it is at least 15 feet long. If there are other fishermen about while I am readying this tackle, all activity stops as I dramatically keep pulling out section after section of a seemingly never-ending supply.

“Damn, how long is that sucker” or “Geez, what is that thing”, are just a few of the printable remarks that accompany the stares that come my way.

To complete the hook-up there is a short nylon, braided string attached to the small tip to which I knot some 2lb leader the length of the rod. From a colorful assortment of flies I tie on my choice of the day and we’re ready to go. The rod isn’t strong enough for anything much larger than a grayling. There is no reel and to use it, you simply extend it above your favorite riffle or pool, tickle the surface with the fly and hope that the fish are sufficiently fooled by it’s routine to strike.

There is a sudden silvery splash as a grayling takes the fly. The rod quivers in my hand and starts to sing. The tip dips up and down with the variable antics of the fish and the pitch of the tune ranges from a low hum to a soft tenor. Both dogs sit attentively on the seat in front of me. They listen, as dogs will to any high-pitched sound, head cocked to the side and a sometimes-silent yawn to ease the eardrums. As the fish tires I pull it towards the side of the boat, reach down, reverse the barbless hook and release the little guy. It rests beside the boat for a moment. Then, as if suddenly realizing it is no longer tethered, it shoots for deeper water and disappears.

In the course of the next hour a few more fish take the bait, the rod sings it’s tune and overall it was an entertaining evening at Lake Laberge. Out here all is well with our world.