Little Water on the Big Laramie

This last weekend I was excited to go explore some new Wyoming water (at least to me) on the Big Laramie River. I had family staying in Jelm who had access to some private stretches of the river, so despite the dismal reports of low flows (22 cfs) and high water temps, I threw my gear in the car and headed out 287 with the hope of a broken gauge or a storm the night before that could have misrepresented or changed the flow since my last check online.

The reports were no joke, and there was no miraculous downpour to bump up flows when I arrived.  Between the slim water, high water temps and the poorly marked private property lines, which got me scolded and banished from decent holes a couple of times, the day of fishing was frustrating and I walked away with a big goose egg, totally skunked.  

On the brighter side, the beauty of Wyoming surprises me every time I get out on the states rivers.  A bald eagle escorted me down highway 230, and a black weasel or ferret walked the river's bank as I made the long treks between fishable holes.  I'll be back once the flows pick up as this is a beautiful river with many miles to explore, and not to mention the story of a recently caught 23 inch brown told to me by the employees of the Woods Landing Bar and Cafe.

One of the deeper runs

The bridge that the 23 inch brown was caught under

 

The Mend Manifesto

The mend. That tricky flick of the wrist and controlled movement of the rod to align the fly in the water column and reduce drag that without management will paint the fly a hoax.

Both as the fly and the mender we are constantly struggling to stay true and flow with the stream as naturally as the water over and around the structures of the river bed. Being ignorant to the line and its affect on us as we drift though life is impossible as the shifts and choices that distort our path define us and our fate.  We strive for fluidity and to ride the path of least resistance, but are unable to contest the pull imparted on us.

As the mender, ever aware of the effects our movements, or lack thereof, have on the things we are connected to, we strive to minimize the pull that our connection to the fly creates. Through a deeper understanding of this connection, and the effects of our tinkering, we can present the fly more naturally and hopefully induce more strikes from the finned objects of our desire. Without this understanding the river and life can be a frustrating place.

We have a responsibility to do what we can to right the course and mitigate the drag we impart on the things around us. Without empathy and perspective we will continue to pull others, and be pulled ourselves, unnaturally through life escaping the happiness and beauty that a simple flick or roll can get us closer to.

Explore the connection, decrease the drag, stay gold, provide true value and allow others and the world around us to live naturally without suffering the impacts of our ignorance. The alternative is easier, but fruitless.