Elephant Butte State Park

10/24/14
Decending to 4500 feet in elevation, the mile long lake sits amidst dry and barren hills. There is one butte, presumably the elephant, and acres of crystal, yet muddy looking water. Motorhomes and trailers dotted the shore. Many people brought their personal watercraft. Some had larger boats on trailers. Some were fishermen. As the sun set, an orange ring lined the hills around the lake. It was a peaceful time. My friend in Clearwater had mentioned this lake as a great bass fishing lake. He's a master fisherman of great experience. Given the recomendation, I forced myself to break out the tackle box. Searching for a spinner or a spoon to use, I found only flies and streamers. I'd obviously packed the fly equipment, but nothing for use with the spinning rods. I set up the fly rod and decided to fish in the morning. Waking just before dawn, likely prompted by a shove in the arm by a hungry cat, I gathered equipment and tottered down to the lake with a cup of coffee. It felt as though the rod and line were foreign, and it was a few minutes before I got a good cast out, but finally I was fishing, and really enjoying myself. I caught no fish, but I was glad I was out there. Fishing is a great sport.