"2" many mouths (edited)

The days seem to be getting better and better as the month of October progresses. Slowly the sun creeps behind the mountains just a bit further, rising a bit later and producing some amazing views, prior to the storms that follow. The mornings have also been bringing new companions in this wilderness, leaving me not  alone as first anticipated. I seem to be making new friends, and though the sacrifice is a hunting disaster, I can't complain too much. The fox (no name) is hindering my ability to find any Grouse, while the newest addition to the camp is a river otter or thought to be at first...(actually a Mink upon research) named Picasso. His cute and curious ways make up for his scaring of the fish, and making the catching process seem more like fishing, I think its good not to be too spoiled. The fishing has continued to be amazing and even more plentiful with the trout that have been coming in strong numbers.

This beautiful morning was like none other thus far, the sky was on fire with shades of red, pink, purple, orange and yellow. Like flames burning without a course, the skies changed all too fast, as the light rolled over and through, all around and under the clouds. Wherever these brilliant beams of light could squeeze, they went, consuming every facet to shine off of, it was spectacular.

This sight was only too familiar, as there was a day like this last year, that was even more vibrant and surreal, and I recall the day ending with a snow storm, as well as producing big trout on the next river up the lake system. I was already planning on getting in a sunrise cast or two, and what a morning it was shaping out to be. First cast lands a Rainbow about ten inches long. I recalled the fresh fox tracks in the snow as I snapped every photo I could of the sunrise, and thought he wasn't far, probably already watching me. I tried my smooching and whistling.... Here Mr. fox... and sure enough, I hear the light breaking of snow, footsteps getting closer and faster. Looking over my shoulder my friend is running at me, ears up and alert to the flopping in the water tugging on my rod. I took the little fish off, gave it a toss towards his curious face, and without hesitating, he bit down and left in a hurry. I suppose he ate it. I cast again, hoping, and probably the only time I hope to catch a small fish, that another little one will bite. Wham, twenty three inches of beautiful dark red striped, green and white spotted from eyeball to tail fin, the most gorgeous trout of the week. I could not give a fox a true beauty like that, and after all he didn't even see me catch it, but he did. He was laying right behind me watching the whole thing. I suppose, or would like to think that he has a fine appreciation for the singing of a reel, one of the most beautiful sounds ever heard.

Now the expression was pure disgust and disapproval as I released the trout, but not losing the faith in my compassion, he stayed close for another meal. He also had faith that I could catch another. And  I did, not as small as I was hoping, a thick football type twenty incher', and that sealed the deal that both were to enjoy breakfast.

I took the fillet, he took the other side attached and made off like it was Christmas. My breakfast was delicious, and thought that he may have had too much, as my half wasn't quite enough. He showed his appreciation, or acknowledgment of care, allowing me to snap a few photo's after he and I had eaten.

Although he seems relaxed, he is quite careful, not to get too close without flinching and then coming back. I was fortunate enough to gain some trust today as I fed him some scraps of fish that I caught this morning. He came and took them from my hand, and that is the first step to becoming a more trustworthy companion. Now on the other hand, Picasso my Mink friend has been ready to go from the start, as he first came and stood on my foot as I was fishing, smelling my pants and then jumping off to search for food. He is a playful creature, very funny to watch, always bouncing around so happy to do what he does, be it eat or dig in the snow, come investigate my world or watch on hind two from the shoreline. I think I will like him best.

Too many mouths to feed, he has immediately recognized my ability to feed him, and watches without patience, running into the water before I can even get the fish off the hook, its been a bit of a scramble to make sure as not to catch him. He took the remains of another fish from my hand and made off into the shadows of a stump to devour his gift.

This day had just started, and with feeding more mouths than mine, I think the reward of being this close to nature is most worth it. I will have to hunt and fish more, simple.

To pass the afternoon's, fly tying is keeping me busy, off the computer and more importantly it keeps me thinking like a fish, what they would look at and what they would want to eat. To tie a fly and catch a fish on it is one of the most rewarding things a fisherman can do in my opinion. At least to me it is. These patterns are of a Mayfly, and very productive on the Grayling as well as Rainbow's when the hatch is on.

As the night passes, the most recent full moon has shed light on a very dark semi frozen land. The remainder of the moon is seen shining in the East, South East around ten  or whenever I step out to take a peek. It soars across the mountains to settle in the West as the sun rises. Although the sun is out, so is the moon, circling back to the East to start another revolution as the night approaches once more. It was clear blue sky the other day and I watched the moon circle above, visible at all hours of the day and night, being twenty four hours of moon. Land of the midnight sun is Alaska, and so is Land of the mid day moon. Its something small and otherwise irrelevant to the function of life, but its one of the small things that brings a smile and a moment of , well there are a multitude of words to insert there but it is a good feeling and worth the long adventure up here. In the mornings, I wake to check on the bird activity down the pathway, but not bothering to look for long as the fox patiently waits, pacing in front of my window, anticipating my presence and eagerness to fish.
Its a good life, for those that came before me, and those that hopefully will come, there is most definitely something to be said for this lifestyle, the woods, mountains, simplicity...