September, 2018
Fresh trout for dinner!
Oh gosh yes, fresh fish sounds delicious! Mark tells me he does catch-and-release fly fishing, but on very special occasions he will keep a few fish to give away or to keep just for themselves for dinner. He said today was one of those special occasions. Oh boy, I hope he catches some good ones.
Mark on Horseshoe Lake
He sure did! Three lovely brook trout that we had for dinner and they were scrumptious.
Here are the fish (photos below) back at our campground, cleaned and ready for cooking.
They were delicious … made even more so by the fact that Mark caught them that very same day.
It’s kind of a funny story about how and why I took that photo of Mark fishing on a remote lake a few miles away from our campground. Before Mark left the campground that morning, so Robin would know where he was going, just in case, as he always does, Mark told us where he was going … it was not Horseshoe Lake (see photo caption above that states he is on Horseshoe Lake). But off he went in his truck to his intended destination for a day of fishing.
So, then, later in the morning, I too set off in my truck for a day of exploring. This was the day I got lost. I ended up on several back roads (beautiful country!) and was, frankly, enjoying being lost. I came upon a sign at a fork in the road … one direction led to the lake that Mark had said he was going to. I quickly decided not to head that direction because I didn’t want Robin or Mark to think I was following him or sneaking up on him.
There was also a sign to Horseshoe Lake (not where Mark was going). That road looked little-used so I decided to go there thinking it would be quiet and serene and I would just sit and enjoy Horseshoe Lake for a bit. The road into Horseshoe Lake was short. I pulled around the last curve and … guess what … there was Mark’s truck! Oops. I glanced out onto the lake and guess what … there was Mark!
He was the only person there. Well, except now for me too. I thought about leaving quickly and quietly without disturbing him, hoping he hadn’t seen me, and then I decided “the heck with that” and simply parked and got out of the truck. I took a few photos (he was a long way away, clear across the lake), and I took a couple of videos (they are below). I was hoping he would turn around and see me and then I would wave, but he just kept on fishing and fishing and fishing. He’s a crazy man that way … fishing. 🙂
Back at the campground, after Mark got back late in the afternoon, I fessed up to both Robin and Mark about my shenanigans and my UN-intentioned visit to Mark’s fishing spot. Mark told us that when he arrived at his intended destination that morning, the lake there was too busy with too many other folks already out on the water, so he just kept driving until he found a lake he liked … turned out it was Horseshoe. The three of us had a good chuckle about that. And then we ate those fish. Yum!
Here are two different videos of Mark on Horseshoe Lake ….
No wonder Mark prefers a lake all to himself. Maybe the fishing is better with fewer people out on the water, but also that lake was so peaceful out there with no one but Mark out on it. Makes me think about taking up fly fishing.
For some reason, the comments to just this one blog post were not copied over from the former “VPS” account to this “Shared” one. All others seem to have come through just fine. BUT … I wondered if there might be a problem, so I copied them myself. 🙂 And I have pasted them below, here in this one long “comment”. Thanks everyone!
Comment by Robin:
“Peaceful and tranquil, better than going to church,” Mark says.
Thank you for a glimpse into his world, as I rarely get to see him in action!
Ann’s reply: “…better than church” indeed, I agree! Just standing there on the edge of the lake, it seemed to me I was in heaven. If I ever disappear … I mean really disappear … y’all might want to drive up to Horseshoe Lake and see if maybe I’m just parked right there. Though I might need to drive out for a little east India lamb curry now and then. 🙂
Comment by Ginger D:
Cute story about you following Mark to his favorite fishing spot…lol…JK.
Glad you enjoyed your fish dinner
Ann’s reply: At first I was embarrassed, Ginger, but then I figured if those two folks and I are going to be good friends, then the truth is the best. It was pretty fun. 🙂
Wish I could share that fish dinner with you reader folks.
Comment by Tim in Montana:
I always wade or used a skiff but that pontoon boat sure looks easier to move around in without needing to use oars or paddles. Thank you for those videos. This is my favorite post of yours so far Ann. My wife calls me crazy about fishing too .
Ann’s reply: Well, your wife is probably right, Tim, but being crazy about fishing seems to be a pretty darned good thing to be crazy about, especially in surroundings like that lake that Mark was on. I bet you have gorgeous waters in Montana too. Some day I’ll get over there! I’m sure looking forward to it.
Comment by Dawn in Michigan:
Looks beautiful! I’m not a fisher person, but I like a quiet lake. And I’ve enjoyed photographing a few unsuspecting fisher people!
Ann’s reply: Oh yes … a quiet lake is a new thing for me but I’m liking it! I’ve been classic wood power boating on the salt water of Puget Sound and Canada for almost 30 years, so this fresh-water stuff is new. Like in lots of your adventures and photos, the water of rivers and lakes is so beautiful. I’ve added “research buying a kayak” to my list. Might just tie one on top of the truck. I gotta go check out your blog and see what you have.