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By TIM BARNER
Allow me to submit a light hearted narrative based on two old friends fishing in Warren County. I thought readers would enjoy this.
PART TWO OF TWO: Stream Challenges & Healthy Rainbows
Johnny: That you Terry over there crashing through the brush?
Scales: It's me. I had no luck up there .. .nothing! I'll cross here and come down your side.
Johnny: Man there should be fish up there in that Little Arnett coldspring water ... I don't get it! Scales: You doing any good?
Johnny: Landed one nice rainbow down below here in the first spot I tried where the stream turns into a deep undercut next to the bank ... had to beach him on a rocky shore on the other side-really nice rainbow about 15 inches I would guess.
Scales: I worked my way up there quite a ways and nothing! I must have been 2 miles up and never turned anything.
Johnny: That's strange! That coldspring water should hold lots of fish. Hey what happened to your face?
Scales: I had a nice one right over here by that steep bank and tripped over a tree root backing up with him ... never did get him out of the water.
Johnny: Wow we are having a day! I landed a beauty the hard way without a net down here and you look like you were in a fight. ... Well I guess you were kinda!
Scales: I'm not feeling too good ... let's take our lunch break. Here's a big Hemlock we can sit on right over here.
Johnny: OK well here we are: two old guys thinking they know fishing and the woods and we forget our nets and stumble around, but we are catching fish ... at least one so far. It's nice just sitting here looking at the water with ya though. You doing OK?
Scales: Ya just a little sore ... my knee again. I saw some really nice deep holes up above here on the way down but the banks are steep and slippery. That spot where I went down is right over there in that little pine grove. I got one quick look when he rolled over ... one nice fish for sure. The Arnett dumps in right up there by the beaver dam ... heck of hole!
Johnny: Finish your sandwich. Let's get up there and try it!
Scales: I wouldn't walk out on that old dam Johnny ... looks pretty iffy to me.
Johnny: I gotta get across where I can work that swirling dark water over there ... man that looks like a great spot. If I pick my way across here one foot-at-a-time ... man this is tricky- lots of twigs under here. I've got a solid foothold here I just can't move much. Scaley there have to be fish over…wait my line just tightened up, I think one's on! I'll have to get it over to you along the bank. It's too heavy to lift out, I'll loose him if my line snaps. I can't get my feet out of this muck!
Scales: Don't fall in! Nothing but muck over here too. OK lay it up here if you can reach me, and I'll hold it till you get off that thing.
Johnny: I'm OK here. I'm on solid sandy stuff ….wow another great rainbow. I need this one for pictures but hey, it won't fit in my new carry bag ... it's too big! Let's get a quick picture right here. Lay it on that green moss while a get the camera going. Well I'm going to keep this one-he's been out of the water too long. I'll have to cram him in my vest pocket for now.
Scales: This is nuts! We are doing everything wrong and catching nice fish.
Johnny: I'm gonna try that spot one more time over there if I can get back out on those sunken sticks and mud ... I doubt there's any beavers in this thing. One foot at a time … I'm going slow. Here we go floating in next to that old log over there…my line is sinking in that swirl-got another solid hit here Scaley! I don't believe it! He's running all the way across toward you again.
Scales: You're gonna wind up in the water. Be careful out there!
Johnny: My feet are stuck, I'll grab this guy by hand…..Gotta leave my rod lay out here on the sticks. I got one foot loose so I'm coming your way with this guy…he's a handfull.
Scales: Hand him up here where he can't wiggle down the bank…ok I got'm, come on out of there if you can.
Johnny: I gotta get a picture from here…he's a beauty, lots of color! Where can I put him? I'll have to fold him into this little carry bag. Watch me drop this camera in the water…just what I need today! These two bows will make a nice meal. My rod is still half floating. I can grab it by the tip as soon as I get out of this muck. Dang I didn't want to loose my rig. The water is a lot swifter than it looks out here.
Scales: You are doing good. You caught three fish and managed to stay dry so far!
Johnny: Ya but I'm not out her yet! This is a great spot. I've been all over the Tionesta for 3 years and never caught fish like this! I guess we should forget about the Arnett.
Scales: We had a few miscues but what to heck. It was fun.
Johnny: Ya I'm glad we did this today Scaley ... it's been a great day to remember. Give me a hand-up out of here…
Tim Barner is a 1965 Warren Area High School graduate and still has family in the area. His blog can be found at https://tb1hoosierland.wixsite.com/pandemicfisherman-1