The clerk at the convenience store seemed frustrated. No doubt, he’d had a long shift, punctuated by the challenges of a demanding late-night crowd after the bars let out. He’d probably built a dozen gas station subs and dunked cheeses, meats and sliced potatoes into stale fryer grease all night long and was entirely sick of customer service. His late-shift duties surely had him cleaning everything from the cooler glass to the toilet seats, and he knew exactly how many minutes he had left before clocking out — probably at 6:00 am. I knew this was the end of his shift and not the beginning, because it’s easy to notice these things if you’ve ever done similar work in your life.
He looked at me for the first time and asked if all I wanted was the coffee. I nodded while I saw him spot the fishing logo on my coat, along with the lenses hanging around my neck and my windburned face.
“Are you fishing in this?” the kid asked with some excitement. (I’m old enough to call someone in their twenties a kid now.) He motioned toward the double doors and past the ice-melting salt pellets that he’d surely spent time spreading over the sidewalk. It was early December, and the first mix of thick, wet snow had come a little earlier than usual. Because weather forecasts are now entertainment and not real news, a short but weak cold front had been manufactured into a mini-drama that had all the locals stocking up on milk, bread and Slim Jims the day before.
I stared at the clerk for a moment and sized him up. Was he grumpy because of the job, mad at the world or just needing something more out of life? I decided on the latter.
“Yeah, man.” I answered. “It’s gorgeous out there, right now. Do you fish?” I asked. I peeled back the plastic tab on the coffee lid and burned my finger enough to know that I should let the steam escape before daring my first drink.
“Yeah,” the kid nodded. “But I didn’t know trout would eat in the winter. Are you fishing over on the big river?” he asked. We both looked east, through the double doors and over the rolling mountains of stacked spruce trees. The peaks were tall enough to block the sunrise for another hour or two, but the morning was already turning from the black of night to the mixed blues of pre-dawn.
I stared back and sized him up again. No longer grumpy, the kid’s eyes were lit up at the thought of trout fishing. And I liked that.
I consider myself to be friendly enough, sometimes — kind of. But if I’m asked a question like, “How’s the fishin’, mister?” by a stranger, I’m more likely to answer with something that discourages further investigation and changes the subject. My friend, Smith, chuckles, because I give the same reply every time: “It was slow, man. Caught a couple of rock bass though.” (This, in the heart of cold water trout country.)
I wasn’t quite sure why I’d asked the kid if he fished in the first place. But there was something about him that compelled me to share. And here I was, about to give up a guarded secret.
“Do you have a piece of paper back there?” I asked. “I’ll show you something.”
“Sure!” he said.
The kid reached behind the counter. Then he slid a lime-green menu across to me and turned it upside down. He looked eager.
I raised my eyebrows.
“Pencil?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah,” he stammered. “Sure.”
The kid fumbled through his company-vest pockets before producing something I could write with. Then I began to draw a map while I asked him a question.
“Ever been down Coal Road?” I said.
“Yeah, we partied back there in high school,” the kid admitted sheepishly.
“Ah, so those are your beer cans,” I said with a smile. And he loosened up a bit.
“Well, that gate is never actually locked, and it’s not a dead end.” I said while I kept drawing. “It’s state land beyond where you guys had your keg parties.”
“Really?” he asked. “Are you sure.”
“Sure, I’m sure.” I nodded as I formed the outside bend of a riverbank with the pencil.
“So there are three big rocks on the north side of the ridge off the tram road. Park there.” I tapped on the edge of the green menu and looked up at the kid. Then I drew a line down to the river bend. “It’s a hell of a walk down a steep mountain. And I wouldn’t say there’s anything like a path, really. But you’ll find your way down to the river with a little ambition. Know what I mean?” I asked him.
“Yeah, I do,” he said. “My Dad and I hunted in that area a couple times when I was a kid — up on the ridge though.”
“Right . . .” I interjected. I tapped the menu at the riverbank again. “You can hear the fast water on this river bend from all the way up on the mountaintop, especially when the leaves are off.”
The kid nodded and studied my pencil lines on the menu.
I made a dark X on the downstream side of the bend. “The whole thing is good, but that bottom end is something you don’t want to miss.”
Then I laid the pencil on the menu and slid the lime-green paper back across the counter before picking up my coffee.
I stared at the kid for another moment, still sizing him up. He smiled a lot and said thank you a few times, like I’d just given him an early Christmas gift.
“Sure thing.” I nodded and turned to leave.
At the double doors and by the bucket of ice-melt, I paused for a moment and looked at the kid’s reflection in the glass. He was still behind the counter, waiting for his shift to end and now possibly making fishing plans.
I looked back at him again.
“Hey, don’t tell anybody else about that spot, alright?” I asked. “But enjoy it. It’s a great little out-of-the-way slot in the valley that no one else really gets down into.”
“Yeah, for sure.” Thanks again!” he said.
“Yup. And if you see my truck there, come find me and we’ll fish together.”
“Alright, you got it!” he said. The kid looked happy.
A couple of months later, the opposite happened. I drove down Coal Road and was surprised to find fresh tracks in the new snow beyond the gate. I followed the tire tracks to the three rocks and recognized the white Jeep Wrangler as the only other car that had been in the lot that snowy morning at the gas station.
After making my way down the icy ravine, I found the kid fishing by himself in the valley, just downstream of where I’d made the X on the lime-green menu.
From fifty yards away, we easily recognized each other, and we both waved. The kid waded to shore as I approached, thanking me again.
“Forget that,” I said. “I’m glad you found it. So tell me how you like winter fishing.”
The kid took off his fishing pack and pulled out a thermos. He poured steaming coffee into the lid and handed it to me as he drank from the thermos.
Then we sat on a snowy log and told fishing stories.
** Donate ** If you enjoy this article, please consider a donation. Your support is what keeps this Troutbitten project funded. Scroll below to find the Donate Button. And thank you.
Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com
Excellent reading material Domenick!
Thanks, Gary.
Re-reading this brought back memories of being the kid getting the spot given to me. So good. This story never gets old.
Nice
Now that’s a good story! You seem to have hooked the largest catch in your life.
From the perspective of the clerk, having an experienced person take the time to lead you to a positive experience has two positive outcomes. First, they are hooked on the sport. Second, there is a strong likelihood in the years to come that they will emulate it.
True
Another gem. Thanks for this.
I greatly enjoyed this story. I get as much or more enjoyment out of helping other “kids” catch fish – ethically – as I do myself.
Thanks
ALMOST as much, for me. Ha.
Dom
Some times it’s better to give than receive. That was a wonderful jesture on your part. I’m sure not an easy one
Thanks, Brad.
Dom
Great read Domenick. Not all heroes wear capes.
Thanks, Bart.
I am thoroughly enjoying your stories! Thank you for sharing them.
Cheers. Thanks for reading.
What a great story , and as always , so well told! Thank you!
Thank you, Danny.
Dom , Your tales allow me
to visualize the events which makes them especially enjoyable. Did you ever contact your old English professor?
I have not. But your idea was a good one.
Thanks for the good read.
Thanks for reading, Nick.
Thanks for the story and Awareness.
Early thoughts this morning was how nice to do fishing research and using that trip as a business expense.
Maybe I will see some of your friends at the Denver Fly fishing show. The Pennsylvania guys.
Merry Christmas, Dom.
Merry Christmas, Bob.
Nice Story. This is a big part of the experience of fly fishing. No need to mention how many fish caught or what flies used. Sometimes its just about being out there on the water
True
Dom, this was a truly wonderful read while enjoying my coffee in front of the fireplace this morning. Glad to hear helping out a kid find a fishing spot and then to actually run in to him. Sounds like you made a new friend. All the best this Holiday season.
Thanks, Ty. Same to you.
Dom
Great story. I like how you managed to share the good fishing spot with the kid in the article, but still keep it a secret from your readers….HAHA. Jk man. Keep it up. Your blog is awesome. I consider Troutbitten the example of what a fly fishing blog should be. Thanks.
I appreciate that.
Dom
Very nice read, provided a wonderful break from work!
Ha! Good.
Sweet! Extra special to see a nice result of your good deed. And hot coffee to top it off. You will both remember this warmly for the rest of your lives.
Definitely
Great story Dom. Hope to see you soon after we’ve settled into our recent move to MA.
Great!
Great story. Sharing what you like to do is usually rewarding to both parties.
That’s true.
That kid will remember that day long after. I know because I was that kid many years ago too and the kindness others have shown me was crucial in my early days.
Same here.
Nothing more rewarding than sharing a secret spot and not getting burnt. That’s a good kid in my book.
Well, he hasn’t spot burned it yet. And that’s nice.
What an awesome story Domenick, especially at this time of the year. Your gift to that kid will keep on giving. What a nice way to brighten someone’s day.
Thanks, Gary.
I enjoy reading your column and this one in particular is very good. Keep it up.. Have a great holiday
Thanks, Terry. Same to you.
What a nice story! And the next time the local entertainment, I mean weather-people, predict one of their “Impact Days” – don’t forget the toilet paper!:)
Okay, sir.
Thanks Dom, needed something nice like that, to many gray rainy/snowy days here.
Oh man. I love gray, rainy, snowy days.
And that’s what it’s all about.
Sometimes it is.
Cheers.
Dom
Great stuff Dominic.
This is great! I feel the same way about divulging spots…….jonesers can sense fellow jonsers pretty easily.
What an enjoyable read, Domenick. I still enjoy a good spot that a kind fellow shared with me years ago. Frankly, what he did for me is a debt that can never be repaid and his generous deed put me on to more successful fly fishing along with a rekindled interest in tying flies. Best, Sam
Right on.
Great story Dom. 2020 has been a strange year to say the least. The virus prompted my wife and I to buy a house in Grand County, CO. I started fishing every weekend, after years of not finding the time. I found Troutbitten, bought new gear, used new techniques, and started a new way to live the rest of my life. I have a wife, and four grown kids fishing with me. I can’t wait until my grandkids will join us.
Thank you for your stories, and direction on the water. Happy New Years, Cheers!
That sounds great, Max.
Dom
I like it – thanks for helping a young man about the same age as my grandsons
You got it, Andrew.
Great read as always. I enjoy reading these stories over coffee with my dog on my lap. I’m the guy that bought a dad hat before the online store actually opened. I just watched your video last week. I enjoyed it a lot, but the gum/ mint your were chewing was a distraction. Not trying to pee on your parade, just offering constructive criticism. Please keep up the good work. Always interesting and informative.
Thanks for the support, Mike.
Cheers.
Dom
Nice! Well told with 8/0 and not too many thread wraps.
Cheers.
So just out of curiosity- was the coffee fresh?
Awesome read! This brought back several fond memories exploring new waters in our great state! Catching the trout is actually just a bonus! Thanks so much!
Cheers.
Just a make ya feel good story Thanks Dom
Right on
Loved reading this. Brought a smile to my face.
Cheers.
This was the second time I’ve read this story and both times I thought about the same thing. The question I get asked about, why do you fly fishing. I tell the same story each time (if I think they are asking to possibly get into the sport). There is something about being out on the water that helps you loose track of time. Most fly fishers don’t “spot fish” they actually get out into the water and that’s where the story begins. The moment both feet land into the water and you look upstream. The sound of the current surrounds you and at that moment you can think and focus on nothing else. It is truly a place of relaxation from the fast action of the world.
Nice
Dom – duuuude, you are a gifted storyteller! I always enjoy your writing. Wanted to drop a comment on this one because I think you summed up what this thing called life is really about. Kindness, hope, empathy, motivation, fly fishing and two strangers coming together as best friends around a common interest.
Thanks, Rob.
Dom
Great story! Love your articles!
Thank you.
A warm story for a cold morning!
Besides calling those in their 20s kids, the other giveaway of your aging is this lovely illustration of your generativity…nice!
Thanks for sharing!
Cool
What a great read and story. I am pretty old now, but still remember a fellow who told me about certain spots that turned my fly fishing success around. He gave me a life time gift, and that includes fly tying.
Nice
Morning Dom! Really enjoy your blog…thank you. Two things:
– I want to try the yarn indicator
you posted awhile back? Can’t remember the name?
– I’m comtemplating a visit to the Keystone State(vs going out West). What part of the state do you live/guide in? I
I live in the Atlanta area. Bought
“Keystone Fly Fishing” book this weekend @ the Fly Fishing Show
Hi Sid,
You are looking for my article about the Dorsey Yarn Indicator:
https://troutbitten.com/2017/03/30/dorsey-yarn-indicator-everything-need-know-little/
Cheers.
Dom
Hi Dom – of all your stories, this is my favorite. It brings back memories of my salad days, waiting for the shift to end so I could go fishing.
Cheers.