The Beauty of Deer Valley . . . and the Battle of “El Diminuto”

Recently, I spoke in Utah and was able to take a day of hiking and fishing with my wife, Leslie, near Park City. It was spectacularly beautiful, even though it shattered the harmony of my marriage.

First, about the trip. As many on this blog know, I love Utah for its natural beauty and endless trails. Staying at the Montage resort in Deer Valley (and not paying for it) was a particular delight with its soaring views and lovely grounds. The altitude does impact many people, even with staff handing out water and air bottles.

Leslie and my son Jack went with me and we enjoyed a trip into Park City during its weekend “Park Silly Market” with wonderful foods and vendors. We had a great breakfast and walked around the little town with its outdoor art and even a “birdman” showing off his owls and other birds:

One of the greatest surprises was caught by my son Jack. As we walked through the concert area, one of the sponsor signs was for Five Wives Vodka, which I once represented.

Leslie and I went on a hike in the mountains that are criss-crossed with ski trails and covered in wild flowers.

It was a wonderful time and our marriage remained rock solid … until we hit the stream.

We decided to take lessons on fly fishing and went to one of the trout streams in the area.

It was a huge amount of fun and we both caught fish. However, there was a slight difference in the size of the catch. Leslie nailed a particularly large trout that even impressed our guide. I, on the other hand, caught a fish that I dubbed “El Diminuto” — a small but crafty trout that I believe was far more challenging to catch than the ostentatious, lumbering beast captured by Leslie.

I will note that it was a very, very large net so the proportions can be deceiving.

Both fish were released. The only harm was done to the much maligned husband who had to watch his wife show everyone from the hotel to the airport to the taxi the comparative pictures.

will no doubt become something of a legend in the area among the casting crowd along these streams. My capture of the elusive trout was due to a mix of skill and focus. I will certainly admit that it was a challenge to look through a stream teeming with trout to spot “El Diminuto” like Harry Potter snaring the Snitch. However, this is no fish story.

Both “El Diminuto” and I will always have this bond that few but Hemingway’s Santiago could understand: “It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact.”

The battle for “El Diminuto” was vividly captured in this highly accurate reenactment:

Thank you for all of our new friends in Deer Valley and, most of all, my nemesis “El Diminuto” who once again swims majestically through the streams of Deer Valley.