As 1st Lt. Daniel Arey waded into the South Platte River near Grant, Colo., July 5, he could hardly believe his luck. The veteran fisherman had grown up on the lakes and rivers of southern Maine, but fishing in the Rocky Mountains brought a whole new experience.
As a mid-day sun glimmered off the river’s surface he swung his line to and fro like an experienced artist, landing his fly with perfect accuracy. Seconds later, a rainbow trout snatched his bait and the fight was on. The trout began by darting across the river then caught a strong current and raced for his life. Arey pulled and reeled as fast as he could. Stumbling over rocks and plants, he battled for what seemed like hours, but his fight ended in relief only minutes later as he held the magnificent 18-inch long fish in hands.
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