Reading the Waters of Life: All of life can be understood in a day by the river
by J “Kat” Loren : :
Landon Mace, guide with the Confluence Fly Shop in Bend, OR peers into Fall River, Oregon (photo by J “Kat” Loren)
All of life can be understood by watching a river. Secret lives abound in a river’s shadows that ripple past, submerged in underwater currents mirroring the drama of all living creatures.
I’m near Bend, Oregon where I watch a morning hatch try out their wings, transcend their water birth and rise towards heaven, then gently fall, then lift higher as if ascending up the sunbeams filtered through the trees.
Insects emerge to dance on the surface – hovering between the atmosphere of the underworld and the higher world. And as the bugs bravely rise from the shadows and currents of life, they experience the ultimate metamorphosis. Transcending the atmospheres they soar into the light for a brief exultation at the end of their days. And for one glorious moment, the waters of life flow beneath their wings.
Red band trout (photo by J “Kat” Loren)
Trout lie in wait. Hungry, they leap from the water with mouths wide open, only to fall back. The river reveals predator stalking prey, joy mingled with sadness, trout striving to transcend water and fly after insects. Trout falling back in failure, sighing for something unknown, longing for the sea.
Finning against the waters of life they position themselves for another take, rise to a man made fly while young boys watch the take in awe from the banks of gentle streams that will eventually join rivers, gather strength and roar down canyons to the sea.
(photo by J “Kat” Loren)
All of life can be understood in the river. Insects emerge and fly. Trout rise. And so do we – for a season. We emerge, fly, roar down the waters of life, transcend our youth, fall back in ageless wonder and return to the rivers that contain all our sighs and longings.
(photo by J “Kat” Loren)
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J “Kat” Loren is a recent convert to fly fishing and is an avid explorer of the beauty of life. Her travel articles have appeared in national magazines. J “Kat” Loren is also the author of more than a dozen books. She currently focuses on writing health, fitness, conservation and travel articles. Her blog “Crazi Culture” is a popular read among those who like eclectic topics and travelogues about odd places and adventures. http://www.craziculture.com
Email: Jloren.biz@gmail.com
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