June 15, 2005
Prologue
Sailing On The Prairie Ocean
Sleep didn’t come easy last night. During the little time that I slept I do believe I had a dream. I dreamt I was a trout bum. Sweet dream for sure. I’m awake now and I realize my dream, if indeed I had that dream, has come true…almost. Perhaps it wasn’t a dream… maybe a really active mind laced with excitement. Certainly, I am yet a bona-fide trout bum, but now have an avenue to travel in hopes of being so. And today Bruce and I set sail.
There exists a paradox of sorts.
I’m a newly wed of three months. My bride is a beautiful six-foot blonde (legs included), and the truth is I really like her, not to mention I love her. Today, I am about to leave my bride behind in hopes of achieving something that many don’t. What I seek is the excitement of fly-fishing that many never experience.
They’re not really happy with me at work, taking off ten days in a row. I told them I might go more. I’m thinking at least twelve. Heck, I don’t know I may keep on going until who knows when if the spiritual side of fly-fishing hits me hard. Guess I could leave the job and bride behind. Just fly. Probably not going to happen, but again if the spirituality hits me…lookout.
The alarm is set for 4 a.m. It is now 3:47 and my eyes are open wide. I’m ready to go. Actually, I have been ready for sometime now.
In the years ahead, June 15 will always stick in my mind. I have always heard people talk about that “adventure of a lifetime”. Today, I begin mine. I’m sure my buddy Bruce feels the same way.
The last two days have been absolutely agonizing for me. I’ve been like a cat on a hot tin roof, a worm in hot ashes, an in-need-of-a-Xanax ball of excitement and nerves. I need waters! And, I need those waters now! My fly rod needs to be in my hand not its case. I have always believed that fly-fishing is the best medicine in the world and I am in bad need of doctoring. I know very well I have driven my wife to the point of insanity in the last couple of days and she will be doing somersaults once I am gone…which is going to be real soon.
My gear is already packed in the Prairie Schooner, the cherry red Ford Explorer. The schooner is jam packed full and there’s lots of overflow tied on the top. Hard to say whether we will look more like the Beverly Hillbillies or relics from the migrating dust bowlers. All I need to do is get a cup of coffee, throw my clothes on and get that old cowboy hat that I always wear. That old hat and me has seen a lot of water flow by. I never fly without my hat. Guess I feel snake bit without it and most likely it has become a part of my persona.
Yes, I kiss my bride good-bye.
Less than five minutes on the road I come close to blowing this whole trip. A trio of Whitetail decides to take their crossing path across the highway at the same time of my arrival. I have to suddenly throw anchor and when I do everything in the cargo hull comes crashing forward on me. What a mess! I quickly put things in perspective and give thanks that I didn’t injure the deer and am able to continue on.
Bruce is awaiting my arrival at Scotty’s Blue River One Stop at the entrance to our home water Blue River. Scotty’s is our unofficial official headquarters for our Trout Bum experience. Scotty is a good man. No…Scotty is a damn good man. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen Scotty make sure a man down on his luck has something to eat. He’s just a good man all around. The kind of guy you would want in the same foxhole with you.
Bruce is good to go as soon as I arrive at Scotty’s. He has everything he needs for this experience…fly rod, fly reel, fly rod, fly reel, tippet, flies, leaders, waders and related gear…you know what I’m saying, the man is pretty much focused and single-minded on this adventure. Bruce is raring to go and he has a big Texas grin on his face. Last night Bruce got his fifteen minutes of fame. He appeared on the evening news KXII (a CBS affiliate) and they interviewed him about the Trout Bum Tournament. Pretty neat stuff!
We bid goodbye to our headquarters and load up in the prairie schooner. Cocker goes in the CD player and “With a little help from my friends” is selected, one of our unofficial official Trout Bum traveling tunes. The lyrics and melody surround us as we pull out of the parking lot. We are officially launched!! Here we go…just a couple of modern day cowboys, setting sails on a prairie ocean in a vessel full of enthusiasm and excitement! My God…what a voyage it’s going to be!
At this time Bruce and I send best wishes for good luck and safe traveling to the other Trout Bum Teams – President Trout, Team Montucky, and The River Soldiers. May the Gods of the piscatorial world smile favor on each of you and be safe on the journey our brothers and sister of the angle.
Barry & Bruce
The Blue River Bummers
Day One
Contact the Bummers
