Sunday, November 15, 2020

Hypnotized by the Swing

The rhythms of swinging flies for steelhead can be hypnotic.

The soft, steady rumble of the water moving through the run, into the pool and out the tail provides the soothing background music. The repetition of the same, consistent cast permits muscle memory to take over and the mind to slow down. The eyes watch as the white floating line slowly -- even slower than normal as the water is low and clear -- swings downstream until it extends directly beneath the angler. Two steps downstream and the cast and swing are repeated.

The river is empty, except for the floating leaves that drift slowly downstream. The mind follows the leaves. Slow becomes slower. Even the V-shaped wake caused by an unseen steelhead chasing baitfish in the shallow water in the tail of the pool seems to be moving in slow motion.

Did that V turn left toward the fly nearly at the end of its swing? No, the fly is too far away to have caught the steelhead's attention. Wait, is that the line starting to straighten out? Why is that happening? Hold on, the line is peeling off the reel. The reel is spinning fast, but the angler is still moving slow. This is actually helpful as it delays the hook set, as is preferred. The fish has plenty of time to grab and turn downstream before the hook is set. Finally, the rod bends in the shape of "C". Line is still peeling off the reel, its scream echoing off the cliff wall to the angler's back.

Then silence. The rod is straight. The line is slack. The trance is broken. Did that really happen?

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