In the morning I find this wading business to be very difficult, especially without a wading staff, which I will definitely need to get. Ray patiently takes me upriver of Quake Lake today in a beautiful stretch of the Madison. Quake Lake was formed by the earthquake of 1959 and is 6 miles long; the Madison River flows into and out of it. The current is stronger downstream of the lake. Ray patiently coaches me but every time he casts, he gets a fish! Every time I cast, nothing happens! I’m watching a little white indicator ball for 2-3 hrs. as it drifts up and down, up and down small stretches, hmm, as far as I can tell, I am doing what he does. He says I’ve missed “fish on” signals! Well, maybe in time, I too will catch fish!
My boots and cleats work well but when we get into knee deep water, the extra space in my waders are like balloons and become buoyant! I think I like ankle deep water the best. I’m ready to take a long break after 3 hours and to go back after the 80+ heat of the afternoon but Ray, well he goes all day and I mean ALL day!
Progress in the evening! We fish near Raynolds Bridge where the water is more shallow. I hook 6 fish and land 3, all 15-16 inch rainbows! It is a thrill as these fish toss and turn and fight. It is a positive thing that each time I go out, I do a little better. Little black caddis, we love you.
