Expectations

The 2008 season has gotten off to a less than mediocre start. With the uneventful Chinook run, lack of substantial precipitation, and subsequent minor pushes of chrome one would expect my piscatorial spirit would be wavering. However, only the opposite would ring true. Like a fine wine I am becoming more refined with age. This year for some reason my expectations share no facsimile to seasons prior. I find my enjoyment coming from the full and collective experience versus the numerical scorecard methodology. This year it seems to be the little things. The company of a great friend, a crisp blue autumn sky, loosing my float in the fire-orange reflection of a Sugar Maple on a favourite run, or watching Norland blow a fish only to redeem himself the very next drift just to name a few. Today I spent a great day on a river that was crystal clear, low flow, and virtually void of fish. Today I left that river extremely satisfied and mentally recharged.