parachute adams and copper johns - part 2

(when the addiction began....here we are on that infamous trip to Colorado...the gear we have on is borrowed but that's all about to change too :)

Looking back I can't pinpoint what was different exactly. We had been to Colorado many times before and heaven knows the plethora of opportunities B had had over the years to get his proverbial waders wet. So why would one morning on my Dad's river, a few clicks from their home, suddenly unleash a passion like a mountain-fed stream swollen after winter's melt? And why after years of rejecting the sport on so many levels, did I find my heart curiously receptive...quickened even? All I know is we returned home, canceled plans for another trip, invested the money into "his and hers" sets of gear and spent seven months of weekends being tutored by a master: my little brother.

For anyone who's seen the famous film A River Runs Through It, my brother is Brad Pitt's character in the flesh, sans all the personal turmoil (actually since he's been an angler longer than Pitt, my bro's even better). Watching him dance along the stream, wielding the line in the air like a maestro has literally brought tears to my eyes. He represents the perfect marriage of art and science. His mechanics are flawless, his technique breathtaking. Patiently he mentored us, explaining and demonstrating, instructing and correcting. N, a true teacher, seemed to derive much pleasure from watching lessons be learned. B and I longed to get it right, see him smile and thus feel one step closer to legitimate anglers.

After having soo many years of our marriage revolve around the plight for a family, we found our weekend adventures to the river fulfilling a thirst we hadn't recognized. Neither of us had devoted much to hobbies before--there never seemed to be enough margin (or so we thought). And we hadn't realized how much our relationship needed a meeting place that wasn't overshadowed by crisis management.

Now as the summer and fall rolled by, we both grew agitated during the work week when we awakened to ideal conditions for a go at some brown trout in upper MD or spunky brookies in the Blue Ridge. Then winter arrived, our world was blanketed in snow, and all lay dormant....at least for the season....(yes, the story continues :)....

 

We caught these lovely Rainbows on the Jackson River over our 10th Anniversary weekend. If you would have told me three years ago that's how I was going to spend my 10th, I would have shanked you! It turned out to be a wonderful and memorable way to celebrate :).