Photo by Bill Stokes
By Bill Stokes
Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper reminded by son Larry of the days when this time of year meant “chasing the hex hatch” which translates to the two of them often driving at breakneck speed to get to the Mecan River in time for the nightfall hatch of the big Hexagenia limbata (Mayfly) when the lunker trout come out of the deep holes and act like pigs.
The magic of standing in the middle of the stream with a flyrod in near complete darkness as the regal looking mayflies come floating and flying out of the night and the big trout slurp them up in a splashing feeding frenzy is the kind of experience that takes that strange relationship between humans and bugs and fish to new heights.
This crazy nighttime fishing was the keeper’s lifetime passion and his efforts to explain the “why” of that to Phyllis has had only limited success.
The “fishy” pastime lives on now in his rich memory bank and in some refined forms in the hearts and minds of his descendants.
“If we drive like hell, Larry, we can be at the Mecan by nine.
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