Mornings I go to the river to watch the ballet. To watch the river flowing to the sea. I like low tide. I watch the light on the water flowing around boulders. I like to watch the light on the water; it’s the same, it’s always different. The river is fast, the river is slow. I wait and watch. There is always so much to see. Least Turns fly, flit, and dive. Least Turns are quick. Watching the water they dive, dropping like a rock, hitting the water hard. Do they close their eyes, or do they keep their eyes open until 1/10th of a second, feet grasping, bill ready to hold the catch? I’m always surprised with their 4-inch fish. I’m certain the fish has no idea how much trouble he is in. He knows one second he was swimming against the current then wham, he’s flying.
Why am I there? Yes, the sideshow, the Least Turns, the fish. I’m watching to see who’s next? Who dives? Who gets caught? I’m really there to watch the fly fisherman. A long pole, string, the wave of the wand- forward back, forward back. The movements are choreographed. The fisherman knows what he’s doing is beautiful. He knows he’s as graceful and as beautiful as any ballerina. He knows that his line is beautiful as it whips out to create the arc. He knows that if anyone is watching, they see the light following the arc of the line against the shadows on the opposite shore.
For all the years I’ve gone to watch, I’ve never seen one of these guys catch a fish. Least Turns, yes, hundreds of times. The fly fishermen, never. And yet, I would love to take a course on fly fishing to master the line and feel the release. To feel the line play out and arc beautifully in the morning light. Catching would not be why I was there. It’s the performance. To watch the stream, to watch the birds, to feel the air, to feel the stream flowing, and to feel the line sailing, arcing out and watching the lure land, to see it splash. And simply knowing that what I have just done is an act of great beauty.
This ring is a secret lure. Gold is the bait; the curves and curls are its appeal. One hook captures another. Two hooks, two swirls, the river flowing, the line of the fisherman arching.
Ring sits low, close, comfortable. The ring is the sophistication of the fly fisherman. This piece is for you. It speaks to you about the river flowing to the sea. It speaks to anyone who has ever gone to be with a low-tide river.
Lady’s Diamond Ring
Archival Price……….$1,245
Replacement Price.…$2,500