Christmas presents always took a back seat to certain Christmas foods when I was growing up. My parents gave each child only two presents. When we were young, they were a toy (usually something ... [+]
Peter Barbour is a retired physician and now a full-time author. Pete Barbour published over forty short stories and wrote and illustrated three children’s books. He lives with his wife in the Pacific Northwest. His web page: www.PeteBarbour.com. "An Unwanted Guest" is in Short Circuit #13, Short Édition's quarterly review.
I picked the rod tip up and swung it back to eleven o'clock, then snapped my wrist. The line flew out over the water, unfurling. At its maximum length, it settled on the water's surface with hardly a splash. I repaired the line, retrieving it slowly by pulling it in with my left hand as I held the rod in my right. Once retrieved, I prepared to cast again. That's fly-fishing, cast and retrieve, cast and retrieve.Cool water swirled around my calves as I breathed in the warm summer air laden with the scent of pine. Would I catch fish today? Did it matter? It was enough to be here and enjoy the so