Snow, Whiteness, and the Seasons, Stylishly Written: Fly Fishing in Yellowstone Scores
By Tom Chandler on Mar 18, 2008 in Fishing Blogs, Writing
The Fly Fishing in Yellowstone blog posted a wonderful essay describing his brief escape from the monochromatic whiteness of winter.
I sympathize. Most of my yard is covered in snow, yet 30 minutes down the canyon, the grass has already turned a vibrant green, and spring is underway.
Still, if you were to ask me, I’d say spring is a couple weeks away. Is that alpine-induced tunnel vision, or simply a reflection of my immediate reality?
(photo courtesy Fly Fishing in Yellowstone)
From Fly Fishing In Yellowstone:
The cloistered mind of the high country tends to forget that there are other bits of humanity that seem to enjoy four full seasons and a world with minimal snow.
He ends his thoughtful essay with:
Soon there will be color enough. Riots of small blossoms will appear on the edges - where the dirt first appears. There will be snow in the corners until June, this year — maybe a bit left for the 4th of July. We’ll see.
The Madison River looks asleep up here. Last night’s snow has covered the lonesome foot prints to the fishing spots in the tailwater. It seems dormant. It hides a secret - there are fish there, and they are getting ready for their Spring mating rituals. They will dance with you if you send them the right offering. And only the neighbors will know.
Without getting all mushy about it, I’ll say this: his essay is a rare glimpse into the high country mind. Don’t miss it.
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Taku | Mar 18, 2008 | Reply
Great essay. That’s one thing that is so fine about this time of year, gaining or losing even a couple hundred feet of elevation moves you from spring back to winter, or from winter into spring. Won’t see that published in Fly Fisherman….
Tom Chandler | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
It’s certainly one of the benefits of living in a vertical landscape as opposed to a vast, horizontal one.
Still, I’m ready to strap on the hiking boots and head out for the alpine lakes, and they won’t be open for several months…
That’s one of the drawbacks…