I'm really happy when I'm out. Out anywhere, on a creek, hiking, driving, kayaking, whatever, as long as I'm out somewhere with a somewhat open ended schedule.

So when things are starting to irritate me at work, its always a good idea to leave early, I tend to have good luck when I leave work early. Today I told everyone I needed to leave around noon to "take care of some business", only my boss gave me a nod and a wink, he knows that the white bass run is on and this weather is perfect. Unfortunately I didn't actually get out of the office until 2pm, which was really too late to go after white bass because I had to be home by 630. That only left a nearby option, so I went back to the new development near my house to chase some big bass in the creek. 2 weeks ago I caught several 16" bass and one 19" bass on soft plastics and plugs, so my goal was to catch some of these big guys using a fly rod. I had my 6wt and big flies with my in the car in case this same up.

Left work and headed straight to the spot, didn't bother stopping at home or I'd get bogged down in all that. Parked, changed, got strung up and made it down to the creek. Saw a bass on a bed immediately but she spooked off, I started off with 5' long sinking tip which, coupled with a heavy fly, can really get out there in that wind. But, it was taking then fly too deep, so off came the sinking tip, which made thinks a little tougher. Fishing was slow, just a few here and there, tried a few things, Hunted around for some fossils adn found a few.

Next thing I know, my reel has broken. It no longer has resistance or drag when it spins, which makes life hard but makes me focus too, hoping I don't catch a big bass or carp. It is being manageable. I find myself on a sand bar on the left side of the creek in a slight bend that puts my back cast over the creek. Similary, my forecast is straight between trees on one side and obstructions in te water on teh other side. It is breezy, but the wind is mostly at my back, and standing on that sand bar juttng out puts me into a postion where the winf will carry my cast forward and lay it down with ease. We're talking longer casts than I'm used to, maybe 30-40 feet. So these casts are looking perfect, tight loops adn all adn gentle touch down. Occasionally a fish will come by and take what I'm offerng, but frequently not.

It did't really matter because I was gettng so much fun out of the moment, the perfect conditions, the perfect casting.

I eventually went to my car and grabbed my spinning rod and came back, this time from the top of the pool. This time I was looking down a corridor with trees on one side wth rushing water plunding deep. Om my left was a slow water area, also deep, with floating grass and laid down logs. From my position I could see balls of small minnow swimming around, jouined by sunfish and occasional bass. It was like an aquarium, with the fish glinting in the sun while the water sparkled.

I beilieve I saw a weasel or otter of some type, though one critter I sas was probably nutria or muskrat. Very neat seeing that wildlife.

It was a sublime experience, as I stood there marvelling in all of the beauty, everyhing felt right with the world.