42 FOREST OUTINGS 



The trouble with us guys," he said, getting up, "is that as soon as we git 

 some dough we jest have to lay off an' go fishin' or somethin' like that. 

 We'd make more money than anyone else if we jest kept sellin'." 



He hitched up his pants. "We've camped right down there; friend of 

 mine an' his wife an' another guy. Those other two tents are ours." He 

 pointed down the campground. 'Come down an' see us," he said. 



Chris sauntered down towards his camp. He remembered his fish and 

 cut through to the shore. Down on the rocks another fisherman was clean- 

 ing his catch. He looked up when Chris walked toward him. 



"Hello, there, you bum. Any luck?" 



Chris showed him the 12 rainbows. 



"Good. They'll be better eating than some of these. Let's get supper." 

 He leaned over and picked up the fish. 



Chris laughed and climbed up the bank. The other followed and they 

 went along the path to their camp. 



The sun had gone down but it was still light. After supper Chris took 

 his rod and basket and went off to the stream. Up in the bend there was a 

 place where the water ran deeper and quieter. Slowly he walked out. Nice, 

 that first feel of water pushing on your legs; oughta get some good ones here. 



Now down the river a woman has ceased for a while a visit with these 

 friendly forest neighbors and herself was fishing fast water. The clouds were 

 saffron colored, smoky on the edges. The water was black save where it 

 caught the light of the sky and turned to liquid mercury and gold running 

 on the surface. She liked this, being alone out here. She cast and recast far 

 out over the water, smooth save where the eddies caught it and sucked it 

 down in little swirls. 



She felt the line tighten, then the reel sang out. The silver arc of a rainbow 

 flashed. She played with it, bringing it in closer with each run and leaned 

 down, scooping the trout in her net. Carefully she removed the hook and 

 dropped the fish in the basket. Again the line whipped out and nicked the 

 water. Slowly she took up the slack as it floated back toward her. Suddenly 

 it stiffened. She braced herself quickly and let the reel spin. 



