While traversing the well worn southerly road in such overt tranquility one can not help but pass the time recognizing detail, hungrily consuming the gift, knowing full well that this amazing peace will be paid for in equal measure. Such positive interludes tend to evince bright reflections as a myriad of continual surprises, tiny and large, reveal such grandeur, such overwhelming example of the breadth of nature: it gives reason enough to pause, appreciate, and grasp the world revolving.

But, for me it stops there. Beyond the natural I am marginalized as only one of the mass, as we all are, limited to terrestrial toil. I am occasionally dumb enough to peruse the virtual world and find bountiful negative opinion of my bloated sense of self worth. The ironic reality is that the truth is quite opposite. I am well aware of my significance beyond my inner circle. But, I am also aware of my position within this realm earned in hard currency - a life dedicated to pleasing anglers, advancing a fishery, and consistently delivering on baited expectations. For this I take full credit. This is not easy, contrary to the belief of a recent few.

The evening hour this day was of another majestic proportion indescribable. The western sky in brilliant bronze was punctuated with advancing, layered black cloud formations broken apart, stretched like a screen of expanded metal, and arranged such that the jagged pieces aligned momentarily before trailing off in long, melting wisps hinting of ghouls and ghosts in haunting, Halloween like mares tails. It was one of those sunsets that invoked quietude; a sense that any disruptive action could spoil the profundity, or attract unwanted attention; one of those reminding primal moments, a time warp if you will, that calls from our origin.

Keeping all options open we continue forth deciding on our final course of action today. At the very least we are finally/thankfully thrust by necessity into full rigging mode getting our game face on in preparation for good things to come. Tomorrow I again become a simple fisherman; no more waxing romantic - just another yahoo out here, one of many, trying to catch a few fish and return home to family. That, if nothing else, should put things in proper proportion. Enjoy your day!

Tim Ekstrom