Friday, May 29, 2009

De-Skunked
















Kenny-Bear and I spent the weekend in Island Park. Right on Henry's Lake. The cabin was gorgeous. It was huge. It said it slept 10 and could have easily slept 20. It was spectacular. I am becoming somewhat of a fishing enthusiast, and last weekend being opening day at Henry's I couldn't exactly miss it. Saturday we got up at the butt crack of dawn to get a good spot on the lake. I'm talking 4:00 AM! Is God awake then? I was dragging a little but once we got in the boat and started cruising at 20 mph through the chilled morning air- I woke up. We secured the "best spot" on the lake and waited until 5. You aren't allowed to fish before 5. So at 5 we all threw our lines in and started reelin' 'em in. It was so fun! I've caught fish before that were all pretty small. Less than a pound under 6 inches. Tiny buggers. But Saturday I was pullin' monsters out of the water! Big doggies! It was a blast! I caught 8 Saturday. We fished until noon. That's when everyone hit a brick wall of sleep. We headed back, ate lunch, rested up and hit it again. We literally fished from dawn until dusk. What a day.
Sunday was church. We checked it out online the day before and they do a one hour service. So we went at nine and I couldn't believe the flocks of Mormons going to church! They had 2 buildings. One had the actual speakers and the other was a broadcast building. Both chapels were full through the gyms and stages, the Relief Society rooms were full. The primary, young women, baptismal font rooms, all full. In both buildings! A guy told us they have 75 deacons come from surrounding wards to pass the sacrament. 75 deacons! It was amazing. It was rainy and gloomy outside most of Sunday which I was grateful for. I climbed into my bed after lunch... at about noon and surfaced again at 5. That felt good.
Monday was fly-fishing. It was my first time really trying it. I was bad. I mean I couldn't even get my line out there. And it didn't help that where were 15 professionally snobby fly-fishermen watching and criticizing. At first it was really intimidating... but then I figured this is my day. My FIRST day. I can do this. And I got better. I didn't catch anything but my technique improved. I kept looking down by the dock and there was a lady there just ripping them out of the water. Every other cast she had a fish on the line. I asked my unofficial guide what she was using and he didn't know. Apparently this woman didn't tell anyone. But I was going to change that. I set my rod down and marched right over to her. I watched her and then the questions started pouring out of my mouth. I played the girl-power card. I played the first-time fly-fishing card. I played the you're-lucky-your-boyfriend-is-helping-you-my-husband-isn't card. I played the nice-waders card. And it all worked like a charm. She secretly showed me what she was using. She let me get in the water next to her. She let me reel her fish in. She let me use her rod while she re-tied mine using all her stuff! She gave me the fly she was using and a strike indicator and everything. It was a blast. And sure enough my second or third cast... I got what I went for.

What a weekend.

6 comments:

Kar said...

Wow, Pats! Very impressive! Good for you for charming the woman's secrets out of her. :) We sure missed you around here. And how interesting how crowded it is up there at church!!

Poulsen Family said...

That sounded like some fun fishing. Holy moly with the crowd of Mormons!

Natalie said...

That sounds like so much fun, I tried my hand at fishing last year and it was fun, we will have to go together this summer.

Brett and Tiffany said...

Way to go, patty! I should go fishing with Brett more! He loves fishing!

Anonymous said...

LOL! I didn't know you liked fishing! Sounds like you had fun! Lucky you!!:)

johnandjana said...

I think that is awesome that you love to fish. I've only ice fished once and I actually caught one and was so excited. John doesn't do the fishing thing. Maybe Brett would take his mother-in-law. Ha Ha!