I had promised the story of our search for the snake river in WY last summer but with the excitement of my hunting season opening in August, the story was forgotten. I'm sorry. Hunting season has a way of distracting an individual. I'm sure you all understand and will forgive me. So, without further ado, here is a glimpse into our quick fishing attempt on the Snake River while passing through Jackson Hole, WY. I must also apologize to the river itself...
Dear Snake River, my apologies for the fish and run on your shores last summer. You deserve more respect than that. I dropped a line in your waters momentarily one afternoon. I couldn't resist. I can't say that I'm all that sorry for the brief encounter that we had, since it has wet my appetite and I'm planning on returning one day. I only had a few hours to play with the fish in your banks, but I promise to give you the respect you deserve next time and spend an entire afternoon casting my line while listening to your rushing waters.
Please let me explain why the encounter was so brief on that summer day. Upon cresting the top of the valley we viewed from our truck your presence below, snaking through the valley floor. Surely it wouldn't be hard to find a spot to drop a line. However, you are a little sneaky in the ways you slither through those lush green pastures, concealing yourself. We pulled over several times to find you. Such obstacles as private land and purchasing expensive park passes, kept us from you. What a tease!
One of the pull over areas allowed us to get close. Through the tall weeds, marshes and streams, we wandered. The grizzly bear signs warned us to be cautious. (Insert my fear of bears here.) As we meandered further from the truck in our shorts, bearing only small tackle boxes and fishing poles in our possession, I began to wonder more and more about how I would fend off momma grizzly. Fishing equipment does not provide effective protection. I began to whistle and talk loudly in random sentences that did not string together very well. My husband grew more annoyed by the minute listening to my rambling nonsense while swatting mosquitoes and keeping us from getting lost.
Eventually we turned back since the minutes where quickly ticking away and our stomachs were now reminding us they were empty. It was hard to tell where the growling was coming from... the imaginary grizzly or my stomach's attempt to eat my backbone. We still had a chance to fish south of Jackson after a quick bite to eat in town, so we abandoned our search for now.
After a quick stroll through town, we continued south of Jackson on our way to Salt Lake City with the promise from my husband that we would pull over for a quick fishing break if the opportunity presented itself. My lovely snake river, there you were... rolling along the edge of the highway. My husband kept his promise and navigated the truck down a steep road to your water's edge.
You treated this inexperienced fisherlady to a catch on her first cast. My husband's disbelief that we had time to catch anything quickly turned to a 'crap! Where's the camera?' moment. It was the only fish that emerged from your emerald waters that afternoon. I'm okay with that, because I'm now hooked and will be back to soak in the tranquility of the Snake River once again someday. It was a marvelous afternoon.
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Life Lesson: Have you ever had a time in your life where something seems like it should be so easy and it quickly becomes difficult? Obstacles crop up out of nowhere. Fears prevent you from moving forward. It happens to all of us - it's called life. The lesson is to keep going. Keep your head up and enjoy the journey. Who knows? The river may be right next to the road on the other side of town. And you may get an unexpected first catch next time you cast your line.
