Keeping it Real

WRITTEN BY BLAIR FJESETH

The light reflects off the water and glistens in his eyes. It makes him look older, wiser and more miraculous than he already is.

He tosses his line.

He is sure that this cast will land the big one.

He hopes his determination can will magic to happen.

He summons the trout with all his might as he slows his reel, giving the scaly mystery more time to catch up to his lure and bait.

He tosses and tosses and tosses some more. Each time his hook hits the water, his heart skips a beat. The tension is building on both line and spirit.

"Is that a nibble?" he thinks as his bait hits the rocky floor.

His tempo quickens to see what the snag is, only to find algae, a twig and some abandoned fishing twine.

With disappointment simmering underneath, he steps even closer to the water's bank. He practices patience, but it's just so hard, knowing what could be, no, what will be.

He lets out a "humph" as he casts again.

He hears his mom call, "It's time to go."

"Just one more mom," he pleads. They both know it will be one more cast plus one more cast plus more after that.

He stands tall as he looks out afar. He tosses his line like a star quarterback throws the ball, with precision, length and tact.

"Plop" goes the line as it hits the water's surface.

His focus can't be broken, he is in the here-and-now, and nothing matters more to him than snagging a river monster.

The line comes up empty. His eyes burn from holding back tears.

He looks at his mom and then at his dad; without a missed beat, he declares, "I'll get him next time for sure."

Blair Fjeseth is a working professional and proud Montana mom. You can reach her at blairparker.inc@gmail.com. Follow her Instagram @blair_mt for more adventures.