Mr. Q, the master chef and my agent at arms, went fishing yesterday as he usually does on Mondays. He reports the fishing was tough. It seems his "trout" would only take very small flies and ignore all else. Even then, the catching was most difficult despite it being a warm December day.
Was it a success? Yes, and here's the proof. It took a size #22 midge tied by the Q hisself.
So you may be wondering what its like to be a chef and a trout fisherman. While I am speculating, I do watch the man while he fishes, and I see the frustration on his face. He hooks and lands a nice trout, and while it hangs in his landing net the internal struggle begins......."Do I keep it? Douse it in egg and then cover it in flour. Lay it in a simmering bath of melted butter, diced onions and some minced garlic? How good would that be with some rosemary roasted red potatoes and a tall glass of Guinness?"
He looks around to see if anyone is watching. He looks at the hapless trout curled in his net, one eye seeing through his soul, and then thinks, "No, he must go back to fight another day."
"Maybe not, I haven't had fresh trout in ages."
Then he comes to his senses and realizes he is in the Gorge and must release his catch, or suffer the consequences of knowing he kept a fish where that is not permitted.....or maybe he just realized the trout is a pellet fed, hatchery version of the real thing that no matter how magical his cooking is, would still taste like wet cardboard.
He releases the fish to fight another day.
Nice job Mr. Q.