Can't Catch a Kam with Captain Cal.
"Deckhands Log, Stardate October 22, 2013. Lake Pend Oreille. Dona Christine."
3:20 PM
"Which way is Hope!?!?" exclaimed the captain of the ship that appeared from the grey and blue fog bank that had set in to Lake Pend Oreille's Eastern shores. With a shrug, Captain Fuller pointed back into the disorienting void of fog and water, sending the gentleman on a northwest bearing, but with no landmarks and no stars. I have to wonder if he ever made it off the water.... It would not be the first, or last, life that the lake has claimed. A good reminder that mother nature is boss out here.
3:40 PM
The lines are set into glassy smooth water. The fog has dampened all the noise except for the purr of the outboard propulsion unit, which propelled the vessel forward at just shy of warp-3mph. The lines are set on the port and starboard planers. The boards are jumping along, skipping and pausing, while the bluebacks somehow find the transition from water to air, ignoring the feeling of vertigo, and eating size 22 midges off the surface.
4:00
"Fish On!" shouts Captain's Mate Elijah, as a delicious looking blueback takes the fly off our inside line. The fish was dispatched quickly and put into the well where it will stay fresh until we reach the star gate. The line is reset as we continue into the unknown.
4:20
Out of the mist suddenly appears a vertical wall of rock, jutting into the water like the toe of a giant green monarch, sitting lakeside waiting to receive a pedicure. A quick adjustment to the bearing is made and we let our flies follow the contour of the underwater point. That was a close one!
5:00
We check the lines and reset, making sure no debris has gathered on the fly. Spirits are high as the grey shifts to deep blue. This is an eerie place today. We stay warm with laughter and friends, as we wait for a reel to begin screaming and the water to erupt in a boil as a giant rainbow attempts a futile escape. We are the bounty hunters of trout. No fugitive is safe!
6:00
Daylight is fading, along with our hopes for a successful mission. Persistence will pay off though eventually. We continue to fish in a tranquil, cold, grey soup. Hopefully the radar system starts to work again soon.
6:30
It is now dark. We have engaged the main drive, but only at one quarter power. Left is right, and right is left. We are relying solely on the vessel's electronic navigation systems now. If a net where to catch in the propellers now we would be in for a long night. The radar is working again as we apply more throttle, straining our eyes to find the lights of the port.
6:45
We have arrived safely at port. There is no sign of our lost companion' hopefully he has made it home safe. We lock the cabin and head back to our personal transportation. No fish today, but we gave it a good effort. The captain looks like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. The fog is thicker than ever now. It was a good day.