So much for going fishing.  We arrived Saturday in Oregon just an hour south of Bend to revisit our fishing hole, Odell Lake.  Sunday we spent the day toolin’ around the lake areas.  First we stopped at Crescent Lake, where 15+ years ago we rented a little cabin.  You should never go back to places like that.  It was a quiet little lake where we dropped our forks mid-dinner one night because my deceased relatives all descended upon me at once saying “It’s dusk, it’s lightly raining, why aren’t you OUT there?”  – I immediately caught a nice trout right off shore – maybe 5 pounds.  It doesn’t matter, there were a few kids hanging around as I walked back to the cabin with it on my stringer, who made sure that the next day it had taken it’s place in that week’s fishing lore – it  was up to 10 pounds – “Are you the lady that caught the fish THIS big?” they asked, spreading their hands out about a foot and a half.  It was great, I didn’t have to lie about the size of the fish myself – the kids did it for me.

We did go back, and it had changed.  It was now a resort and as far as we can tell that lake had been designated by forest service as a power sports lake, skiing and the like.  It’s okay, there are plenty of lakes around.  I allowed myself a moment to reflect on the serenity of 15 years ago and we moved on.

Went back to Odell Lodge where we had gone out with a guide and caught the 27 pound Mackinaw lake trout that hangs on our wall.  I should say Al caught it, mine was “only” 21 pounds and not suitable for mounting.  We laugh now that when we are dead and gone the kids will argue over who HAS to take the fish.  “Oh no, I couldn’t, you take it…”  The fish is part of the family now so there may be arguments after all.  Over the years it has been dressed up with Santa hats, Christmas ornaments hanging from its mouth like lures, and dressed up for Halloween with a fedora and chewing on a cigar.  My favorite was when I used quake wax to attach a huge starfish to its head and it went as a starfish for Halloween.  Very fishy indeed.

We then went around to the other end of Odell and found a place we intend to stay next time,  Shelter Cove.  Odell is a huge lake and often windy, so Shelter Cove is a nice idea.  We planned to rent our boat there later in the week.

Monday came – too lazy.  Too lazy to fish.  It doesn’t get much lazier than that.  We headed out to the Lava Tube and came home to work on our jigsaw puzzles, the competition heating up to see who could finish their puzzle first. (I did.)

Tuesday it was a thunder/lightning day.  We looked over our fishing gear and realized we didn’t really have the right gear.  We weren’t going for Mackinaw (200 feet down) but Kokanee – 60 feet down.  Not out of our league but without the right line and gear you just can’t know if you’re at the right depth.  We decided we’d rent rigs at Odell Lodge and go out Wednesday a.m.

Wednesday morning I woke up at 10:30 a.m. wondering what happened to our early morning fishing expedition.  Turns out the weather turned.  It was clear but 40 degrees and windy.  Al wisely decided to let me sleep.  We’ve been married 28 years.  The man knows me.

Same story Thursday.  Fortunately Al and I are nothing if not flexible in travel so as the day warmed up we went hiking instead and decided next time we would definitely bring the right fishing gear and for certain stay at Shelter Cove where the lake would beckon us each time we looked up from our book or puzzle.  There were dogs there, too, so we can maybe bring pathetic Ed the Dog.

If nothing else we took a good look at our fishing gear and I may even start to take to the Lafayette Reservoir for the fun of it, even if the fish are not good eating.  Years ago my romantic husband gave me an electric motor that hooks up to a battery.  I have NEVER used it.  This weekend I intend to learn how and make use of the heavenly reservoir that is in my backyard to soothe my spirit…