Cosmonaut or Michelin Man
We arrived in a hurry and parked the cars under the chestnut trees, right in the middle of the esplanade bordering the Allier. The doors slammed shut and, as one, we rushed towards the river to gauge its pace. Not the slightest touch on the surface, nor the slightest hint of aquatic fauna activity. But the water was clear and the level propitious: that was the main thing.
Reassured, confidence restored, we donned jackets and raincoats to ward off the morning chill. In the blink of an eye, thermoses of coffee, cups and goblets, brioches and croissants were laid on the railroad sleepers stored around us. with "Brazil in the belly", as René Fallet liked to call the black beverage, everyone was finally equipped. A great moment of voluntary gymnastics! Diving into the waders, lacing up the lead shoes, putting on the jacket, raincoat and vest, then finally screwing on the indispensable cap: the artificial fly fisherman looks more like a cosmonaut or a Michelin man than a real sportsman.
Trout, grayling and elephant
Decked out like a marching band, the merry band dispersed along the very large sill that licks the walls of the foirail in Langeac, département 43. The entry into the water was not entirely discreet. But once settled in, with pants submerged to the waist, everyone regained the concentration needed to seduce trout and grayling. It didn't take long for the gobbles to appear. Already, parr were tapping hard on pallaretas and other drowned flies. The atmosphere lightened after the first catches: admiring comments and swearing echoed above the waves. Mockery, pestering and invective were the order of the day, without ever losing their sense of humor.
Jacques, showing off a superb shadow to his neighbors, suddenly said:
"-Oh, Carmelo, turn around. There's an elephant behind you.
-No kidding," retorted Carmelo. And why not crocodiles!
-No kidding, Carmelo, there's an elephant circling your car!
-Around my car? Hiccupped the interested party, turning around sharply."
At the sight of the apparently peaceful pachyderm, wide-eyed and uncertain-footed, Carmelo, buffeted by the currents, undertook a skilful but perilous retreat. The imposing animal, picking a few chestnut twigs, its trunk swaying and its eyes glazed over, approached the bank. Following the strategy initiated by our friend, we spread out as widely as possible around the quenching elephant. Without panicking, we set up camp much more quickly than when we first arrived. The vehicles started off smoothly. We could just make out a few trailers and caravans parked at the far end of the esplanade.
That evening, at the Olympic Circus performance in Langeac, Romeo the elephant was greeted with triumph. Rumor had it that he had routed a troupe of fishermen in the beautiful yellow and red tent. Rest assured: his placidity has not suffered!
