I told Larry
I fly-fish.

I’ve fly-fished
most of the Western United States.

I have my favorite spots.

Well… all of them, really.

There is the input
at Emigrant
by Chico Hot Springs in Montana.

Floating the Yellowstone
is heaven.

There’s a good fly shop
in Big Sky.

Sisters, Oregon is lovely.

How about Hailey, Idaho?
Almost lost my shoes
in the mud at Silver Creek.
Nearly lost my rod too.

The Flat Top Mountains
of Colorado are memorable.
I shared the river
with the beaver there.

But it wasn’t until Larry
saw my flies
that he took me seriously.

“Oh, that’s a Caddis Emerger
a Gary LaFontaine fly.”
His face lit up.

We are both strangers here
united on Mallard Island.

Bonding with a rod
a line
and a cast
into the still
deep
glassy waters
of contemplation.