Got a few on the hook. The
stair-step of happy campers in the accompanying photo are initiates. They’ve
learned to tie a blood knot; handle & cast spinning gear; they have handled
fly tackle, which they used to troll flies at the pond; they are learning how
to tie flies; & they learned how to cut & prepare trout for the frying
pan.
Tomorrow we will cast the fly
rods, on the lawn.
They are excited &
looking forward to having those trout aligned on the net handle as their camp
supper. They are ready for ‘blooding’ – a right-of-passage, of sorts. I have
explained some conservation & the concept of catch & release, & the
initiates understand. They are gentle souls. But they wanted to clean &
cook a few also, & I agreed to let them kill a few trout for the table.
That is blooding.
At base, ours is still a
blood sport, evolved from the necessary food-gathering habits of our ancestors.
Keeping that in mind, I think, helps the angler to stay sharp. Eating one now
& then will keep you fishy.
The initiates are fishy now.
They have engaged full-circle in the ancient rite. I’ve no doubt that all three
will always fish. They love it. And if they ever have to catch a fish, by necessity, they will know how to do so.
