Hello
friends and thanks for checking in at the O’Grady Fly fishing Adventures. While
walking the river today my mind kept drifting to a place that it hadn’t been in
years. A few years ago, and I think it was a combination of the Broncos really playing
poorly and the players disrespect of the flag, I decided I was done wasting my
time watching the NFL. The preseason games were fairly easy to ignore but as
the season started, Thursday and Sundays had me feeling like a druggie going
through withdraws. As the season went on, I began to feel a release from the
addiction and Sundays became my Freedom Day. It has now been two years since I
have sat down to watch a game but while fishing today, my mind was actually
wandering toward today’s game. Now I can’t really say it is actually the game I
was thinking about but more a few of the parts.
I’m not a person that ever really
does anything half-arse, unless maybe it is a menial task, and my mind
wandering is no exception. You may not be aware of this really amazing stat but
my Huskers have had at least one player in the SB for 26 straight years. Hard
to believe when you think about a few of the teams the Huskers have had over
the years. Now this years cast of players are a few of my favorite Huskers of
all time. No, they never won a Natty, heck they never even won a conference
championship but man were they fun to watch. Most people just think of the
Texas game when they think about Suh, but my favorite memory was against
Colorado. Alex Henry had just put the Huskers ahead with a 57 yard field goal,
and with just a little bit of time left, CU had a chance with the ball. Suh
tips the pass and intercepts, now he should have just kneeled but he headed for
the end zone. The QB tried to tackle him but he gave him one of the best stiff
arms ever and then steamrolled him on the way for the score. Burkead, was just
one of the most professional players I have ever watched. He wasn’t the fastest
and not the strongest, but when you really needed six yards, Rex would give you
eight. And who could ever forget watching and crying your eyes out when Rex’s
little friend took the ball in the Spring game and ran fifty yards for the TD,
I tear up just thinking about it. My dad of course didn’t want anyone to ever
see him cry, so he would always say our defense wasn’t aware of the play.
So, like I said early in this blog,
when my mind wanders, it’s pretty specific and big time, so here is my fantasy
of how the game plays out. The game is a real defensive struggle, Brady(sorry
Steve) can’t get anything going all day, because Suh is hitting him every time
he turns around. The offense only clicks when the ball is handed off to
Burkhead so in the second quarter, they bench Brady(sorry Steve) and just play
Rex at wildcat. Rex gets his third TD of the day middle of the 4th
quarter to get the team within a field goal. The Rams get the ball back to ice
the game and are driving when the Pats put Rex in at safety. Yep he picks off a
pass and the Pats get the ball back with three minutes to go. With time winding
down, Brady is reinserted into the game and back to pass. Suh beats his man and
hits Brady so hard that his face mask pops off. The ball gets fumbled backward
and in the complete melee, the refs decide that because Suh didn’t ask
permission, his hit was illegal, and the ball stays with the Pats. As things
quiet down, the whole world is watching at the fact that Brady is still down
and when he finally wakes, he is wondering where his side kick Robin is. As the
nation watches, the 99% cheer and the Patriot fans realize their reign is
ending. When the game comes back on, I switch channels because once again, I
don’t really care, but I do dream specific and big.
Now on to fishing and my Super Fish
Sunday. I wasn’t in a big hurry today so I got to the water a little late. I
jumped in one run and was a little frustrated when I didn’t get a single take.
I moved up to a group of fish that have been outdueling me for the last few
months and to my surprise, today they were eating. I picked one out and first
drift through, I watched him eat. I set the hook and his head came out of the
water and gave a big head shake. The spot is one of the more difficult places
to actually land a fish but I managed him to the net. I got back in place and
the remaining fish didn’t seem distracted. I hooked four more and got two of
them landed and then I started thinking about going after a fish that was Super
Fish Sunday worthy. After all, if you are going to fantasize, then do it big. We
have had a few people in the shop this last week showing off pics of a piggie
that was caught in town and I decide to head that way.
When I got to the spot, I saw it was
prime and ready. I jumped into place and eagerly watched the first drift went
through. I put through another drift and the indicator shot down. My heart
began to race and immediately I could feel the power and girth in the fight. My
monster fish fantasy just began to flash through my head and then I felt the
absolutely miserable and dreaded “kerchunk”. It Was a total roundhouse kick to
my gut, I felt the same way the nation does every time a Patriot play goes to
review. After a second, I could still feel him but he was definitely now foul. I
thought maybe if I ever actually got him in, maybe I could just get a pic of
his tail swimming away. He then slipped completely and was gone. A sly little
grin appeared and now I felt a little like the nation when a Patriot play goes
to review and for the one time in history, they were correct. Sad and
frustrated and just a little sheepish.
Anyway, I fished the next few hours
catching fish all day long. Another spectacular day on our river. This may have
been the best January I have ever seen the river fish and it looks as if
February may be as awesome. Now its not easy fishing, but really good.
One more thing I wanted to add
before I sign off. Next Saturday, TU will be holding their annual Frostbite
Fishoff tourney in Pueblo. Other than really one P-town exception, anglers have
really given the competitors their space and I am sure they thank you. If you
are planning on fishing next Saturday, PLEASE fish below Pueblo Blvd. If you want
to learn something new, maybe get out for a while and watch a few of the
anglers tactics. I have it on good authority that one of the competitors is
part of the US team. Also, TU may still be looking for volunteers so if you
can, check with the Pueblo TU website.
I can’t believe how well the fish
are doing right now so it is a great time to get out and learn how to catch
more fish. I will have an opening late this week and middle of next week so get
your trips booked. As always, Connell, Cat, Winston, Rex and Suh, and The Drift
want to thank you for reading….
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