There aren’t any glossy photos of kick-ass fish in this post. That’s because I didn’t catch any today.

I fished starting at dawn and devoted all of my time to streamers. And, not just any streamers, but those that were six- to eight-inches and articulated. They were the low-probability option on a winter’s day.

I hit the usual resting lies at which I’ve caught a regular amount of trout in past winters. I threw all sorts of streamers of all types. I rotated through all the usual colors. I tried all sorts of depths and retrieves. Normally, this approach works, even when the water is very cold, like it was today.

But, not today. Not even a single grab. I just didn’t feel like chucking a bobber today and was more than happy with the results. And, since I’m not a great indi-angler, who knows if I would have caught anything?

But, there were some great moments nonetheless:

• I saw a bald eagle.
• I somehow dropped my Smith Chromapop glasses; miraculously, I found them on a dirt trail much later. What are the odds?
• I saw a young angler, alone, casting a bobber and egg sack (he brought to the river a bag o’ bait in a Ziploc), and it was really great to see someone so young so focused on his craft. He was throwing near where I was, I’m sure innocently, and I silently yielded the run to him.
• The landscape was devoid of people (mostly), cold, stark, and grey, but quite beautiful in a minimalist way.
• A Reuben sandwich for lunch was perfect.

I think fly fishing is great when you actually can catch a fish. But, it’s pretty cool even when you don’t.

Thus, the one photo for this post is my lunch. Behold, the Reuben….