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We have just received this story from our friend TITI. After correcting all of the spelling errors, we were enchanted by his text and we are persuaded that, you as well, will be enchanted.


 




We had to suck it up. Impossible to find a spot to eat. We finally installed ourselves in the entry of the post office at Rocles… The production people had well planned the improvised meal, the little dishes were in the big dishes… only somebody forgot the dishes!!!


A bag of potato chips, 4 apricots that were surely from the Drome and torn from their families too soon, too pale, without flavor; whisked to the Capital to await the ransom, they were released after the last run to the south in the trunk of a rented car, still too pale, still without taste.  And a small bottle of water to wash it all down.


For my part I took along, just in case, a sausage, a jar of pate and just picked, real apricots … you know, frugal!!!


First scene of the film. I got dressed. They were already ahead of me, in position, on the Pied de Boeuf Pont (Foot of the Beef Bridge).  I was still fighting to get into my waders when I heard Antoine yelling.  They saw a raccoon under the bridge that seemed very happy; I could read the confusion on his face when I started grumbling. “We’re not going to get any fish with him down there. We’ll have to sneak past him or else the fishing is ruined for a 100 yards from here!!!”


I have never gone under the bridge to fish. With the camera above and the raccoon below, I had to play it just right.


Of course they got my tumble even before the first take!!!  A 15 foot slide on my ass, enlivened with a lovely gash on my wrist… finally on the river bank, I searched for the beast. He was next to the piles of the bridge holding his breath…  I made a large detour into the river so as not to frighten him. The river was mine. On top of the bridge everyone was ready.


Move… advance… fish… stop…


The communication wasn’t too clear; the noise of the current, the echo of the bridge. On impulse, I decided to do it my own way.


I had just picked-off my first fish when I heard Antoine call out.


“OK, I’m ready… you can start! Come back under the bridge.”


“Did you get that catch?”


“What?”


“No, nothing!!!


There was still a long way to go…


The raccoon was still there. Having glanced back to the piles a few times, I had seen the water stirring and I didn’t expect to see the raccoon on my return.  When I came to within a dozen yards from him, he dove into the water. I sat close by on a rock to watching and waiting for him to come up for air. Five minutes later he was still playing Jacques Cousteau!!! I decided to move back several feet to give him a little space. Without skipping a beat his nose emerged. Antoine decided to come down to film. He even made me move the beast with a long branch when Hector (the raccoon) dove down again. We didn’t find that very funny for long.


Clap: the end; let’s move on to other things.


Between the interviews and the shots of actual fishing, the afternoon passed quickly… but no fish!!!


“But why are you always filming from upstream? You’re spooking the fish.”


“I prefer it that way, the images are nicer…”


“Ah!!! So, you have some beautiful images ??”


“Excellent…”


Well, that seemed like the essential. Finally, that was OK with me too…


Herve was waiting for us with a bottle in hand. We exchanged a more words,  an interview, more images, a few more glasses were lifted…


As for fishing, there’s always tomorrow.