Good Omen

Im not religious, however I am a fly fisherman. So, naturally I will believe anything if it makes a trout rise. The Little Truckee is full of religious zealots as the trout there are notoriously finicky, and this particular morning was no different as I raced from spot to spot to find my own seat at the altar for the morning sermon. I was early, which assured me a good spot, but I would have to wait till the bugs decided it was the right time to begin the ritual. Deep in contemplation of which bug would hatch first, I felt as if someone or some presence was watching over me. I glanced up to catch this bald eagle staring down at me from a dead perch. As if to say, “Watch this.”

He dropped down. Snatched a rainbow right in front of me. Then circled around, returned to his perch, looked at me and began to devour his breakfast as if to say, “That’s how it’s done.” I immediately took a wild guess, tied the fly, and began to cast over his secret pool. I then caught myself screaming, “SWEET JESUS!” when a twenty inch rainbow rose to my fly. I looked up to thank my omen for such good fortune, but in the excitement, he must have flown down river to bless another fly fisherman.