It was a very nice independence day. Full of friendly hearts and minds brought together in harmony for the passions of being in Americas' warm hearth. Neighbors and friends from close and afar uniting together at the Ranch for a potluck feast. Enjoying each others company and the comforting environment of early Julys light breeze, and lush shade from the trees. Familiar faces and new ones conversing about interesting aspects of their lives to one another, exchanging stories to each other that was usually followed by a smile or laughs. A truly nice day for temperatures and wind, with plenty of food for all. A warm place in my heart that I call home, as it doesn't change much in a rapidly developing world. An even more beautiful outlook over the river then what I saw as a child, as I know the beautiful fortunes that exist out there now.
The hour grows late, and the sun now creeps towards the horizon, then unto the cliff sides golden banner. The company grows tired, and disperses one by one down a dirt road back home. A party well lived and enjoyed in togetherness and passion for our great country and greater home.
The evening portraying plenty of opportunity, my heart tells me to celebrate it not under the lights of firework displays, but with river water running through my legs on my home stream. The sun sets behind the horizon, then the caddis and mayfly hatch gets the trout feeding on dry fly patterns. Started up the 1987 Yamaha Big Bear, loaded her up and took it down to the river in the brisk clean air. The smell of river grass, mud, and water is a smell I hold dearly from a young river kid age. Over the glass-like turbulence, Trout feed on the bobbing bugs that float on the surface. Old proven patterns like the Royal Coachman and Humpy dry flies proved very useful for catching a fierce Whitefish and a lean majestic Brown Trout. Celebrating independence day doesn't get much better than this, especially when your with the people and things you love on such a fine day. A great pleasure to hang out with my dad and good friend and neighbor Cody Boyd on a starry evening by the river enjoying where we live and the friendship we share………