Had A Stalker Today....

I had to go up to the ranger station today and work through a problem with my permit application on the preserve. Fortunately, the ranger found the problem(their error) and corrected my online file and printed out a new fishing permit and a vehicle pass to the backcountry for me. I then told myself, "hey, let's take some time and fish a bit." So, off to the backcountry the truck went.

It was a beautiful day being partly cloudy overhead with some storm clouds brewing to the west. Plenty of time to drift a dry fly and see if any trout would come out and play before those storm clouds reach me. Yep, there were plenty of trout and I fooled a few of them. Only brown trout are in this stream and that's just fine with me...pretty leetle fellers, indeed! They were very spooky today...

After releasing a little beauty of a trout, I started working my way back to the truck. I thought there was still time before the storm would hit the area and wanted to explore another part of the preserve. Funny thing, as I was fishing my way back to my starting spot, I felt uneasy for some reason. I kept hearing a light wispy sound behind me, often turning to see if anything was behind me. I checked the tree line real good and the grassy meadow, but couldn't see anything. Still, it felt like eyeballs looking right through me. I was kind of happy to jump into the truck to tell you the truth. Creepy feeling.

And then, as I started the truck, this big ol' coyote came out of the tall grass right on the stream's bank. I knew it! He was stalking me as I was fishing. I never regret paying attention to my instincts and I'm glad I was in that truck. He was still giving me the eyeball as I was driving away.

So I turned the radio up some and streamed Lynyrd tunes through the speakers on my way to another stream area. I think I got to fish a little over two hours before the storm started the thunder and rain. And, I netted about six or seven brown trout making for a very good day!!!

Gear: Winston TMF 8' 4wt fly rod; Hardy Perfect fly reel; Rio LightLine WF4F; and a secret dry fly:)

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