Golden, warm summer evening, houseboat anchored bow-in on a river beach, we prop baited rods aft and go into the main cabin to make cocktails. Through the front sliding doors, we see bald eagles soar, so we go out to stand on the foredeck, watch, sip, forget about fish. Border collie Boots joins us, dances between our legs. He receives an obligatory pat and scurries aft. He comes back, nudges his master’s hand, begins to leave, returns to look up at us, turns and stands staring towards the back of the boat, glances up at us again. I say he looks like Lassie telling us Timmy has fallen into the well. Silence. We look at each other as comprehension dawns. We follow Boots back aft to the rods, where a rod tip twitches and the reel turns slowly. Perfect ending for a day on the river. Smallmouth bass for appetizers.
