Why are some of us attracted to waters? Is it the need to imbibe, purify or to just listen
to the rush of water over rocks? Or
maybe it’s the aroma that comes from a mountain stream or the freshness that
arises from Piedmont rivulets. Whatever
it is, it pulls on me, like a magnet to steel.
Once again I have that yearning to be not just near water
but to be in water. One of my beloved
streams would be Hitchcock Creek near my place of birth. My adoration for Hitchcock Creek started at
an early age. During the summers of my
youth I would visit my grandparents and my grandfather would walk me through
the woods down to Hitchcock Creek for some fishing and nature time. At that point in time I was much too young
and to cross or wade the creek on my own.
My grandfather would hoist me onto his broad shoulders and we would wade
and cross to find good fishing spots in the creek.
He was a carpenter by trade, grew his own fruits and
vegetables and the fish he caught from Hitchcock were also used to feed his
wife and three daughters. I have
wonderful and fond memories of my grandfather.
He was a gentle giant and soft spoken, and when he did speak, a hush
fell over the room.
Once again I find myself between the banks of Hitchcock
Creek. It seems to change every time I
visit but at the same time it remains the same.
There are rocks in that old tributary that never move. They’ve been there all my life and will
probably be there for generations to come and I like that. Those rocks create closeness or a kinship
that I adore and yearn for.
Today I spent a couple of hours fishing a small upper section
of that wonderful stream of water. The
water itself was very low despite the abundant rain we’ve had this year. The chest waders I donned could have easily
been left at home.
With the water so
low, I walked farther upstream to the dam knowing that the deepest waters would
exist there. It did not take long before
I caught several redbreasts, one crappie and a rambunctious largemouth bass in
addition to three rock bass. I quickly
released all the fish for another day.
It is the first week of September and the signs of autumn have
already begun to show along the banks.
Leafs are starting to show those amber hues and there is a fragrance in
the air that invigorates my lungs.
I have spent countless hours in and around Hitchcock
Creek. I’ve caught hundreds of fish from
its waters. It has been a fixture in my
life for 46 years. I’m certain if I were
to move away that I would make annual trips to visit Hitchcock Creek.
Because of the combined efforts of the city and American
Rivers, it will become an official Blue Trail.
Hopefully then, more people can enjoy the beauty of Hitchcock Creek. I look forward
to that day, I will journey those waters in my kayak.
I find its natural beauty
unmatched. In the 10 to 12 miles that serpentine
to the Great Pee Dee River, there are very few signs of civilization. My time in the water today must come to an
end for I have to return back to civilization.
The waters of that creek have renewed me once again, I feel contented.
“Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There
is no life without water.”
~Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
~Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
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