| With the fourth of July weekend freshly behind us, I | | | | speed.Oh what a time it was, the time of our |
| am reminded of one of the darker moments in a long | | | | youth--resplendid youth.Alas, the joy was broken |
| and illustrious series of dark fishing moments....Once | | | | suddenly--when young foolish A.J., queried as to the |
| upon a time, there was this young energetic | | | | whereabouts of the days catch.Were they stored |
| outdoors type fella, who burned the recreational | | | | safely in the captains cool locker? |
| envelope to the bitter end. It was not uncommon for | | | | Had they been stowed away in a water filled live |
| this naive- yet spunky- young man to participate in | | | | well?Puzzled looks and questioning glares hung over |
| multiple outdoor activities on any given day.Fishing in | | | | the lads like an Irish fog, it was clear that the |
| the morning would yield itself to mountain biking, or | | | | bouyant mood had been broken. Accusations flew, |
| hiking, or berry picking and then followed by the | | | | and responsibilities were shirked. Swords were ready |
| evening fishing du jour. A little grub, a little quenching | | | | to be drawn.... had there been any swords.AND, a |
| of the thirst, perhaps a spirited game of cribbage, a | | | | good thing there were no swords, for after |
| short nap and soon it was time again to repeat the | | | | inspecting the stringer, the very same stringer which |
| previous days repetoire.Those days are all but a | | | | had once held the hopes and prayers of a hungry |
| memory now, and yet somehow- like fine wine- the | | | | fish camp of merry men and women- it was found |
| memories ferment and settle, leaving a wonderful | | | | that the stringer was now void of fish!!Nothing but a |
| vintage of pleasant happenings. However, as afore | | | | few gill plates remained.Much remorse was felt |
| mentioned, there are some rather embarrassing and | | | | amongst the lads, and a futile but heartfelt retracing |
| somewhat painful times when in his zeal and zest for | | | | of the boats whereabouts was undertaken. To no |
| the outdoor experience, good judgement was cast | | | | avail.The fine and handsome trout had either sunk to |
| aside or completely forgotten.One such instance | | | | the depths of the unforgiving waters of the |
| came upon a nice summer's day--twas the fourth | | | | reservoir, had wound up prey to the many a swift |
| day of the grand month of July--as I recall, when all | | | | fish hawk that hunted these waters, or were back |
| sense and wits left his self. | | | | swimming happily beneath the surface...sans a full gill |
| A.J.--as we will call our lad-- was invited to a | | | | plate.A dour feeling hung over the crew, and great |
| morning's fish on a large and water filled reservoir in | | | | shame stood in the place where pride once brimmed |
| the region of Southern Oregon. The ships steward | | | | so brightly. Candor, and speculation ensued.Had the |
| and captain had mentioned that it would be nice to | | | | fish kept up for a while, hanging on with every bit of |
| cast about for trout in the morn and then take to | | | | there very facial fiber as they slapped across the |
| the waters of the reservoir for a "skimming upon the | | | | surface, like little water skiers themselves?Did they |
| surface with wooden planks", of which most refer | | | | vanish and scatter to the wind upon the first thrust |
| to- as water skiing.After a bountiful morning of much | | | | of the boats great motor?It matters not. For they |
| catch and frolic,the three jolly pranksters cajoled | | | | were gone, GONE, GONE!!Should there be a need for |
| loudly about the fine and handsome trout which hung | | | | a moral to this tragic and wasteful tale, let it be |
| from yon stringer. Many a citizen would bow humbly | | | | known: that if you plan to water ski and fish on the |
| before them and think of them certainly as masters | | | | same day, in the same boat --be sure to place your |
| of ther craft.Fishermen indeed!!Now, after a few | | | | fish IN the boat before transitioning to your next |
| celebratory quaffs of spirit, the lads were anxious to | | | | recreational pursuit.Maybe just maybe if you heed |
| take to the ever inviting waters of the reservoir, "To | | | | these words, you can avoid the pitfalls of youth like |
| the skis, men" harkened the ships captain.Soon, | | | | these lads were so unmercifully forced to endure.A |
| wooden planks were tossed to the sea, and one at | | | | tragic tale indeed...A.J. Klott |
| a time the lads took to the water. | | | | Author, writer of fishing humor,and "fly tack" |
| Skimming and jumping and showing the versatiles of | | | | peddler.A.J. writes about the people,characters and |
| youth--the lads frolicked immensely. | | | | modern day events that surround the fishing world. |
| Thumbs were thrust skyward as the fishing boat, | | | | His first book is due out in December of 2005. |
| now turned ski boat, gained more power and | | | | |