Subscribe to the paper Doni: Retail shops -- not car lots -- should park around downtown City looks new from cyclist's-eye view Doni: Rumors often can't be extinguished as rapidly as they ignite With a little instruction and some practice, though, I finally managed to throw a presentable cast and found a few dumb fish to accommodate me. And on a 110-degree day standing in waders in 52-degree water, it feels like all my sins are being washed away. At least that's what I tell my wife.
Trout won't live in an ugly place, and the north state is awash in trout. My first time on the big river, 21 years ago, I looked into the water and saw a small red stone with a white stripe. It looked to be about the size of a chicken egg, and I thought my 18-month old son might like to hold it.
(Or throw it!) I reached over the side of the boat to grab it and was wet to the elbow before I realized it was really the size of volleyball and was six feet under water! Like gin without the aftertaste, and ice cold; this water is equally intoxicating.
I began to realize how lucky these trout really are, and how clear everything must seem to these little jewels. Inevitably, how much better my decisions might be if I could see as clearly too. Maybe that's why I keep trying to catch them?
I'm not so sure about their choice of food, though. My books show close-ups of bugs that aren't very becoming, even to a fan of science fiction. I guess I could eat one if I was really hungry, but I might have to dip it in chocolate.
The trout make an art of eating. Sitting by the big river 20 minutes after sunset. I watch as dinner is served.
It all starts rather slowly, with the small fish moving into the shallows. They splash around like little children at a birthday party, and some of the bugs get away. Then, as it gets darker, it's time for the grownups to eat.
They eat with their pinky finger extended, discreetly and in demure fashion sipping the hatch with open white mouths showing just for an instant. Sometimes their backs break water and they give away their size, and I think, "If only I could fool that one." In the north state, we seem to have lots of disagreement between those who want growth and those who want to lock the door and throw away the key.
Overall, there must be some balance, because lots of trout are still around. So I guess our charge is to continue to keep this jewel from becoming an ugly place, while still allowing some growth. If we can accomplish this without yelling at each other or throwing things, then that would be good too.
For my money, when the going gets rough and we just can't agree, I'd like to see the city council move the meetings down to the big river. Maybe the water's edge at the Posse Grounds or even the Sundial Bridge, preferably at sunset. Then everyone can watch dinner time and look in the water and see just how clear it is.
Compromise is easier when we all see as clearly as the trout. Record Searchlight contributing columnist Richard Malotky can be reached at getoffyourbutt@msn.com.
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