On the Fly: ‘Satisfied’

We truly enjoy the opportunity to fish with many diverse and interesting people here in the Roaring Fork Valley, from all walks of life, and from the world-over.

Our Japanese friend Riichiro Suzuki fishes with us most years in the springtime. We look forward to seeing Riichiro, especially seeing his shy-yet-big smile and polite bow when he walks in the door. He only speaks a few words of English, and his always-requested guide Glenn Smith knows only a smattering of Japanese himself. 

They tend to forgo the new translation apps that are available and figure things out on their own, mainly through pointing and mimicry of motions. Riichiro prefers the Roaring Fork to the Fryingpan — we assume because they can get away from the roadside scene and find quieter water to explore. He always brings his beloved (yet paper-thin) boot-foot waders with him, forgoing the multi-layered (and much more breathable) Gore-Tex waders we provide on our trips. We don’t argue. 

Riichiro is an appreciative angler and has a ritual for each fish he catches with Glenn’s assistance. After beholding the fish and saying a few words, he snaps a picture of the fish in the net and watches it swim away. Then, he backs up a little bit and takes a wide-angle photograph of the area. Next comes a sip of whiskey from a flask in his pocket, and then he sits down and smokes a celebratory cigarette. Every single time.

We can tell he really looks forward to his vacations here, and we certainly relish the springtime ritual of seeing him. He and Glenn have a system in place that works, and he has a way of explaining when he is tired and has caught plenty of fish.

He thumps his chest with his fist, looks Glenn in the eye, and says “Satisfied.”  

This report is provided every week by Taylor Creek Fly Shops in Aspen and Basalt. Taylor Creek can be reached at 970-927-4374 or TaylorCreek.com.