“This fish was too big for the first net Katie Knick tried to land it with. Luckily one of us always carried a net that could fit even the biggest fish this lake had to offer. She was usually the one who needed it the most.” Photo: Nick Basaraba

OPEN WATER

Felt But Never Touched

Wyoming Carp Utopia

“To watch the sun sink behind a flower clad hill. To wander on in a huge forest without thought of return. To stand upon the shore and gaze after a boat that disappears behind distant islands. To contemplate the flight of wild geese seen and lost among the clouds. And, subtle shadows of bamboo on bamboo.” —Zeami Motokiyo

The  road to the lake was barely discernable, defined by a singular gap in the towering sagebrush wide enough to slide a Toyota Tundra into. I idled the truck slowly through its cavernous potholes until suddenly an expansive shoreline yawned out before me. Driving to the water’s edge, I looked for other tire tracks or footprints that indicated where to begin fishing. There were none. I put the truck in park, turned the music down, and stared quietly at the flat lake rippling through summer heatwaves…  


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