Jeff Streeby

Float

Headed into winter. Each falling leaf fits the north wind like a glove.

They never get wise, so just like you would expect, it doesn’t take much. A 12”x 24” piece of 1” Styrofoam glued to a piece of ½ inch plywood, a 2x2 along each long side to keep everything from sliding off in case one comes over the edge. You punch it through the center with a 2 ½” hole saw. Set a pair of #1½ long springs, one on each end and you stake the setup to the bottom of the pond with a long stick through the anchor hole. The thing will ride up and down your stake with the water level.

October.
Even in the long days of summer
we all know the score.

A little bait, maybe an apple, maybe a carrot. A little scent maybe. Just make it look inviting, make it look easy, like they can get whatever they want whenever they want it.

At the skyline, the sun
today’s blind umpire
in its mood of weather

You’ve got nothing to lose. A couple of those little hides more than pays for the whole shebang. The muskrats are the only ones with real skin in the game.