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And in Conclusion. 

Now that the ice is gone on the big lake, I will shortly have to find new material to spew here upon.  But until then I continue with the Historic events of the fishing group on the big lake in New Hampshire.  If you're new here, you will have to go back a few days to get up to speed with regard to what this is all about.  Short form, a bunch of guys making the same fishing trip, to the same spot, at the same time of the year, for 42 years.  Just like the new IRS short form...0 job, 0 income, 0 taxes due (but they'll figure a way around that shortly).  Like in the state of Maryland.  They've figured out how to tax their citizens of the amount of Rain they get on their properties.  Absolute genius!

Skip, "Willy", myself

 

 

This is the tough one.  How does one write about oneself.  With humor? Autobiographically? With tongue in cheek?  In all seriousness?  In something akin to reverence?

 

I have always been able to make fun of myself without having to eat the end of my shotgun.   There was a time way back when, in the "Lost Decade" when I only wanted to live to be forty.  If so I would have been amazed.  Well, I've almost doubled that so there is some truth to the adage that God protects the young children and drunks.  And I hope the outspoken.  I mean it's a wonder somebody hasn't killed me by now because I generally say what I think regardless of who is around or who I may hurt or more significantly who may hurt me.   So here goes!

  

As I have stated here before, Abe and I go back to high school. You know when the wagons were still crossing the country. Or at least it seems. We have hunted together. Dated together(others of course). Played pool together (his parents bought him a pool table to keep us off the streets). And of course fished together. We lived near enough so that we could see each other weekly either in school or in young adulthood. We both married girls named Sue. He had two sons and I a daughter and son. Grand children now. He is still married but I messed it up and am divorced. There were not too many years that I did not attend the trip to the Big Lake and when I did not, it was torture. I am not really sure what the big draw or devotion to that place is for me. I recall my current better half and I visited the lake in off the season and I very nearly quietly came to tears. Why? I am not sure, but it is the memories that place represents. Not just the five days each year or the five very good friends that partook. It basically has been a distinct part of my life for 42 years and represents where I have been in my journey and where I have not been.

Everything is connected it seems. I recall having to take vacations just prior to making the annual pilgrimage, just to keep the peace. Planning what I would bring in the form of my assigned food chore. In some weeks before the end of April each year, getting the fishing equipment ready. This includes taking each of the tandem streamer flies out and passing them through steam from the tea kettle. That steam sets up the feathers like new and they seem to last longer, look fresher, and stir the Adrenalin.  I even miss the preparation.

My steam has always been the visit to New Hampshire each spring. I am still astonished that after all these years all six of us are still alive. When I was in my mid twenties or early thirties, and in my quiet times, all alone, I just hoped to live to the age of forty. Now I want to live to a hundred so that I can act the way people think appropriate for an old man like me.  There are still a lot of people I want to piss off!  "Oh well, look at his age. What do you expect".... age!  Only the good Lord knows how much I or the other five have left, but I can say this.......My life has been richer, more interesting, and a lot more fun with those guys and that trip in it.  It's been a hell of a ride.

 

"Pauley"

 

"Willy the Cape"

 

"Green, the house Magpie"

 

"Tumbler"

 

 

"Boatride"

 

"Group Hug"