X. Vignettes on the Clearwater

I.

Two tired fly fishermen sit under the yellow glow of a vapor light. The plastic picnic table between them damp from the contestant rain. Their eyes are not focused on anything in particular, their minds wander to the river. They sip from Coors Light bottles and twirl around a Rapala lure left behind by some other. 

II.

If there was a moon that night, it would have shown it’s pale face to the river, bathing ancient fish in its cold silver glow. 

III.

I had a dream last night about a Nez Perce woman who danced on the surface of the water. Her long arms and dark hair swept across the river. Her movements so intoxicating that the steelhead rose out of the water to see for themselves. 

IV.

In a room full of feathers an old man looked out the window. A covey of quail occupied the dirt road outside. A truck with out of state plates turned down the road scattering the quail, all unaware of the old man’s eyes.

V.

On the high bridge, the one that’s really three old bridges stitched together, a young girl took a nap in a camp chair. She never noticed the trucks adorned with long spey rods across their hoods squeezing past her carefully so to not disturb her dreams. 

VI.

In the campsite with the wall tent, a gang of feral cats stole hot dog buns from drunken fishing guides. 

VII.

A man who goes only by ‘J.C.’ wandered over to the campfire with a beer in his jacket. He swayed towards the warmth and declared himself virus free. To anyone listening, he preached a stumbling sermon on the peculiarities of steelhead.

VIII.

The town was full of dull buildings and peeling paint. A dam looms in overhead, holding back two million acre feet of water and thousands of years of spawning fish. 

IX.

Teenage girls sat on the swings at the park gossiping about boys. Inside each of them is a timid curiosity about what exists away from their Highway 12.

X.

I wish I knew what the rain was trying to say. Instead I just stood in the current, watching the drops hit the water and made another cast. I wish I knew what I was trying to say. Instead I just step down stream and make another cast.