But this was Muskie fishing—a different sort of endeavor altogether, wherein Kent is something of an expert. And this was a good day—a big day—a day in which we had… a follow! This is a big deal in Muskie fishing, in which you actually SEE a fish. Or the dark, suggestive shape of one. You do not catch the fish. You did not feel the fish or have it on your line. But you get to observe it lurking near your lure, in all its mystical menace. And when one is talking about a 4-foot or 5-foot long fish, the shape of a torpedo, with railroad spikes for teeth, this is something to make your heart go pitty-pat. And if one is truly fortunate, you even get… a boil! No, not a nasty rash on your skin, but a disturbance in the water—that indicates a Muskie has actually struck at your lure. A cause for great celebration. And so today… we even had our boil. Or at least a semi-boil, and possible strike.

So Kent and I returned refreshed and renewed from our successful outing. Successful not only in observing a Muskie, but also in observing red oaks and yellow cottonwoods, a heron on a bare tree branch, the lovely sunlit shape of our own Pine Point shoreline, and some of the prettiest skies I’ve seen in a very long time. We had salami and cheese sandwiches, and PB&J. And… I learned more stuff about Muskie fishing. A lot more. Enough to have hope that someday, I may even catch a Muskie. Someday.

Thank you, Kent. A fine day indeed.