Trout From The Sky

I was having a very uneventful morning (aka on my way to getting skunked) at the West Branch the other day when things turned around in a way I never would have expected. A truck suddenly pulled over on the bridge right above where I was fishing and the driver got out. "This West Branch?". Yup. That confirmed, he climbed up on the back of the truck and started casually dumping huge nets full of trout over the side of the bridge. Then he got back in and drove away without a word. For some reason I'd always thought the stocking process was very scientific and methodical. Introducing these delicate little trout to the wild with an encouraging little push and all that. In reality, it's actually much closer to sanitation work- in reverse. Still, regardless of his technique, this guy has the most important job in the world in my opinion. And I'm glad he stopped by.

I went over and checked things out. The bridge had a very new, large population of small trout congregating under it in the shade. I'm only a tiny bit ashamed to admit I tried to catch some of them right then and there. Who wouldn't, right? I hooked a couple and left soon after. The phrase "shooting fish in a barrel" kept coming to mind. But hey, wasn't like I was bringing them home with me. And it sure beats getting skunked.