Wanderlust

I recently explained the realities of luck to my boys.  "Luck" I said "is simply being open to the possibility of something good happening and being prepared to capitalize on the opportunity while it exists."

I was in need of solitude on Wednesday.  I'd planned on surfing or fishing the Willamette but being alone in a crowd wouldn't cut it. Instead, I felt the need to put miles between myself and comfortable old haunts.

The weather forecast was iffy at best and the tides were all wrong (by my reckoning) but I'd once read about a place that barely warranted a blip on the mainstream fishing radar.  A place with plenty of potential but no specifics.  A place where I'd surely find that solitude.

As soon as I stepped out of my car, I knew I'd found where I should be this day.  The musky smell of bracken exchanges and organic mud lay heavy in the unnaturally warm air.  The rain and wind had thankfully defied predictions.  Not a soul in sight.  "I'm in luck!"

A half mile into my troll I met the only person I'd see on the river.  An older gentleman with a scruffy beard, a friendly disposition and some priceless intel was headed for the barn.  I was still in it for the solitude but now I knew for sure that an opportunity existed.....

The next time you find yourself frustrated by the fruitless pursuits of repetition and chasing reports, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

-Spot-

Sweet! A new secret Spot.

Awesome mark!  Great story. Got a couple spots like that i have been threatining to try, Thanks for the inspiration.

Nice mark, way to show that sometimes you just need to get out and explore.

It's always nice to try some new-to-me spot and then score a fish to boot. Nice report.

Nice fish Mark!

Sent from my SCH-I545

Great story. Great fish. Much envy. Thank you.

Sweet reward!

  Looks like you "capitalized on the opportunity" quite well. Nice quick story.

There is definitely something special about being out there by yourself, great story Spot.

It's pretty special to find solitude and fish in the same "spot".  Yes, a little lucky, but that's what happens sometimes when you try.  Glad you found what you were looking for.

Incredible! Nice job mark. Thing is a piggy!

Looks like your years of hard work paid off with some nice "luck".  Thanks for the colorful report.  Love your writing.

Beautiful fish...so how do I get there?

The finest eating capitalization and a life lesson all wrapped up in a great post. Congrats on the trip and thanks for sharing the pics.