What if the next fly he sees is yours?

Teaching in the LiFE class has been quite an experience. It has really given me a good chance to spend quality time in the Word.

This week's teaching is a good reminder to me that I can't just let it sit in my head, though, I need to put it into action. That reminds me of a time on the Cloquet River near Duluth, MN.

My dad and I were on a 1/2 day guided trip for smallies. I was using a 9' 5wt Diamondback with sinking line and a gargantuan Muddler Minnow. I have to be honest, casting has never been as much of a chore as it was that day. Strangely enough I managed to catch a 17" walleye early in the day, but not many smallmouth as we had hoped.

As luck would have it, we were about to be witness to a pretty significant Hex hatch...if you haven't seen one, I suggest you try it...Sure enough, down the stream they came. We watched as these newly born bohemouths would flap their wings in an attempt to dry off and fly away before being dragged back under by a swirl, sip, or usually the splash of a hungry bass.

Anyways, we watched this one fish consitently taking these Hex--always in the same spot, without fail. My dad waited and waited for the right opportunity to present his imitation. Hex after Hex floated over his feed lane, every single one...gobbled.

"Dad, what are you waiting for?" I thought to myself. Then came those profound words from our bearded guide from up north, "What if the next fly he sees is yours?"

Ready...Set...Witness...