We enjoyed some great solitude and really pleasant weather yesterday on our McKenzie River fishing trip. We did have some company as there were deer browsing along the shoreline, an osprey looking for a evening entree of Rainbow Trout,and turkey vultures feasting on salmon. Guest Kari Garcia was into a salmon right out of the shoot. She wasted no time muscling in that first brute. She somehow managed to hold onto her lead through most of the drift forcing her good-natured husband Kris to keep playin catch-up ball. With the evening closing fast, it looked like Kari might well be declared the winner as we neared the boat take-out in the bottom of the ninth. Kris however had other ideas. As we hit the final slot, Kris finessed his plug perfectly into the holding seam and BAM, down went the rod with a brutal take-down from a big Chinook. Final score: Kari-3, Kris-3 - Tie Game. Truth be told, I had to actually bench Kari for the last two minutes for Kris to pull off his come-from-behind final fish. He didn't miss a lick. It took him exactly sixty seconds to nail number three. What a great afternoon/evening drifting, fishing, catching and some releasing. Indeed one for the books, one to remember. I hope to see them again someday for the tie-breaker. Kari may need a day or so to nurse her arm.