Maps have been studied. Rumours investigated. Fly boxes filled. Rods cleaned, reels greased, and fly lines stretched. The boat is out of storage. The engine tuned. The 2013 license has been bought.

All that’s left do to is wait.

Wait for opening day.

Wait for the ice to leave.

Wait for a window.

But soon enough I’ll be back out on the water, standing in a boat, fly rod in hand, searching the water and casting big ugly streamers to toothy fish.

Soon enough.