missed....how could I miss that

Growing up in Chilliwack......1960

......I stopped for coffee at the old pavilion cafe and Earl Goodrick was sitting at one of the stools.....Hey, how are ya.....we talked fishing for a while , then decided to drive up river to an area called Sleepy Hollow........leave a car there and fish back to the coffee shop.....that seemed like a great idea....It was a pretty day in late February , high light overcast , the cottonwood trees were giving off that sweet spring fragrance ....a great day to be on the river......from the reports and the luck we were having it had been slow fishing the last few days but we figured if we covered a mile or so we might run into something........The river was in great shape ...a good strong flow and the water tinged green ....perfect color as our movements would not spook the fish as we walked and hunted....We fished carefully down to the Cooper run and that's where Earl said he had enough...I'm goin back to my car.......I've got better things to do ....this is a bust......okay....It is just as far down to my car as back so I kept on and moved down to a run we called Morrelli's hole....I didn't feel like quitting anyway...it was a great day and just a joy to be there......I'm thinking this looks okay and made a short cast into the top end....a six foot drift and my float rips under....its outta site....jerk.....o ya...its solid .....a buck about 6 lbs fly's outta the water, he is a real zipper.....after a bit I slide him on the beach.....My little black Labrador wants to get in on the act and I have to tell her to back off....... I'm thinking Earl......jeez you just missed it....I look around , not a soul about, except Earl just going out of site away up the river , this is great.............I dispatch and bleed the fish quickly to get back before the bite is off.........I cast to the same spot.....
sure enough , my float dives ......the gear comes out of the water and flings behind me....oh my....comes the buck fever a bit.........I bait up again and take the time to wrap a juicy bit on the hook with the barb well exposed behind a trace of orange wool.....mmmm try that ........next cast I was ready.... it drifts 15 ft. then down and up and down.....pull...geez, the float fly's back over my head again ....missed .....missed....how could I miss that.....well miss I do...and I just keep doing that ...and it does not matter where I throw it but I cannot hook that fish or a fish , it seems like the run is full of them......finally after that happening time and time again I connect .....after a typical scrap, a well hooked 10 lb. female comes to the beach..... I can't ever remember running into a fish or many fish that bit so aggressively.....wow that was quite a session.....I pack up my booty and walk back to the store.......Kal Bourne is at the door ....Jeez Gus.... Where did you get those....Kal .....I will take you back there ...I left it still hot...do you wanna go....you bet, okay...and in less than an hour I was watching Kal cast into the same slot.....but...you guessed it ...nothing....deadsville...ain't that the way.......Kal was looking at me sideways...no, no really...it was right here Kal.....I believe you but it sure went off, eh....yup, yup....well, we tried...I guess it would be to much to expect ......So I reckon I just put that down to experience......nevertheless quite a good day......I guess they were all good days.