Fly Catcher 2. July 2021

I awoke at 5:47am to first light on the tallest crags. I tried to close my eyes and sleep for another hour, but I wanted to get to May Lake as earliest as possible to see if the trout were feeding. I also noticed an unnerving amount of flying insects inside and outside of my car; it was time to drive to the trailhead.  

I told myself I was going stay for a maximum of 2 hours and leave by 10:30am so I didn’t have to sit in traffic. I should have known though, as every time I visit here I never want to leave. 

When I first got to the lake, I didn’t notice much fish activity. There was a slight texture on the lake due to a light breeze, which wasn’t a good sign since the flies need calmness if they were to hang around the water. I stood silently and observed but had to dodge the mosquitoes that were swarming my face and avoid the sneaky marmot that almost stole my breakfast out of my backpack. It took intense concentration to train my eye to spot the trout through the reflectivity of the water surface and to patiently pinpoint the moth or dragonfly flying over the water in an erratic motion. 

After 2 hours of mis-shots, it happened. In a split second, I traced a trout adeptly swimming through the water and snatching a moth in mid air a few yards away from me. Yes!! I wanted to scream in excitement as I saw the photo on the back of the camera. I stayed another hour trying to get another shot, but it proved too difficult. I really didn’t want to leave, but it was 11:30am and I had to call it quits; we’ll be back. 

Despite only getting 3 hours of sleep, I somehow made the 5 hour drive back home just thinking about that shot.

500 miles
3 hours of sleep
Tired but happy. 

Fly Catcher. July 2021