As we rolled into Mountain Home, Dan and I were wondering what the odds were that we would get to hook up with Judie again this year. She has an open door policy (literally…we walked right in) that runs 24/7, but one never knows when one’s luck might run out, so we were pretty excited when she was there.
But after this trip, I’m not so sure the feelings are reciprocal. Judie wasn’t looking up when we approached her. As she started to turn toward us, Dan said, “Marbles,” at about the same moment her eyes came in contact with us. I’m pretty sure we were both standing there with sappy grins pasted on. But I could swear I heard a groan. And she kind of rolled her eyes then looked at the floor. I’m sure she hunched her shoulders, maybe even shuffled as she came toward us. Maybe the bizarreness of it was getting to her. Maybe I’m just imagining it all.
She glanced up, and I think I saw a little twinkle there, just a hint, mind you, as she said, “Do you guys really want to do the marbles again?”
Sensing her earlier hesitation, I was ready to give her a break and say no, but Dan thought marbles were a good idea. The way I remember what happened next was that she had a definite twinkle (that’s the way I like to remember Judie) as she dropped the bombshell, “I don’t know where they are.” Like I said, that’s the way I remember it.
Marbles. They’re a funny thing. Originally made of stones or clay in the Egyptian, Roman and Aztec empires. Occasionally made of glass in the ancient world, by the mid-1800′s that’s been the most common material. Glass beads—so beautiful, and so utilitarian too.
I excused myself to use the john and let Dan and Judie finish their business. I still didn’t think Judie was in her usual chipper mood when I got back, so I’m not sure how things went between them, or what was said, but I figured it was time to leave. Maybe we catch Judie in a better mood next year and we can try the marbles again. We grabbed the fixings for a sandwich and hurried out of there, eager to unload our flies on the South Fork.
Stay tuned for the rest of Day 1 on the South Fork of the Boise River—where we actually fish.
Judie was actually in good spirits as she helped me get my 8200 license for Idaho this year.
What had her bummed out was not getting to talk with Scott…just kidding…they actually rearranged the sporting goods area at Wal-Mart. Although they have a beautiful new counter
they moved the gun display cabinets behind the service counter and her work load has tripled.
She wasn’t complaining that she has work…but now it was more of a bear to get through the day having to make frequent trips to the display cabinet to unlock, retrieve, put back and relock up to 50 guns a day…drag.
Wow, I am confused. I spent a day on the Southfork last week and it was toughest fishing I have had on that river.
Yeah, it wasn’t the easiest fishing I’ve had on the river. Definitely a case of looking for them. But we found a couple of spots where they were rising. I’m hoping to have the remainder of my report up in a day or two.