The Mayor and his Minister of Latin American Culture and Politics, met Carlo, the Italian pescatore(fisherman), on the banks of the famous Russian River. Now known more for its wine than for fish, the river is enjoying ideal conditions for February's steelhead season. Under Carlo's tutelage, the Mayor would sharpen his conservationist's skills as a worthy steelhead collector.
The river is running clear in this section(vic. Monte Rio/Austin Creek), but there is llittle evidence of steelhead. There are no line ups of sportsmen testing their luck against the wily fish, no full parking lots, and the tackle shops are empty. Word on the river is , "Go north,young man". North is the Gualala River, Eel River, and the Smith. Maybe next week, the ocean travelers will begin something of a sustained run, back to their hatchery origins, or in some cases, back to their native streams.
But, oh, the conditions-they don't get much better. It's a fine day when you can walk into knee deep, cold water, gaze into the willows along the river bank, and proclaim it good.
It is still a revelation to find so few folks in the vicinity. How can they pass up such an opportunity to enjoy such spectacular conditions? Beats me!
Get out to the Russian River and have some fun.
Cassini's Campground was near empty with only a few campfires blazing away in the early evening. I'm sure the hardy souls on the ground were quite pleased with their efforts to find a riverside campsite available on the weekend. But it is Super Bowl weekend, and sadly, many families will be held hostage to this overhyped, banal event that frustrates many a sociologist's attempt to explain it.
You could be camping tonight on the river in less than two hours. Think about it.
The Mayor returned to his bayside habitat, grateful for the day. The Minister of Latin Affairs said conditions reminded him of Patagonia in the springtime. Ah, Patagonia.
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