Early morning on Spent Peacewoods place, nestled in a remote section of Fall River Mills, California is all about the smell of sizzling bacon and high anticipation. Quill, Jive Boy and the lovely Cindy G. are huddled over pancakes discussing the chopper fly-out into a volcano near the California border where giant ten-pound Brook Trout are supposedly the resident big dogs. The boys at the Press Table are looking tired and groggy, as they have partied late into the night.

One of the old guard outdoor writers Tom Staratavista ambles over to join Quill and his mates " Fletcher, do you really think this fly diplomacy will actually go anywhere? I mean these guys have been through the wringer over and over, now you and a fly rod will help bring world peace?" " Love that eternal optimism that you working press boys seem to wallow in. Maybe we will fail and all this preparation is for nothing, I would rather fail at this then not have tried. If this does succeed in the smallest of ways, a new, calmer atmosphere may be incorporated in all future peace negotiations. These Mid East boys are hard nosed and suspicious of everyone, when the chopper sets down in this volcano we discovered with Slick Brainy's military GPS.

The hall of mirrors that is the usual scene at most peace talks will be noticeably absent, my friend. The only thing that will matter is the ten pound brookie that has just slammed their fly!"

The twenty-minute chopper flight up country into an area rarely visited by man is quiet. The opposing diplomats are sitting as far apart as the crowded chopper will allow. The volcano looms ahead as Quill watches Cindy put on the last of her fish fighting eye makeup and Jive Boy begins to sort out his favorite hoppers with droppers. Slick Brainy motions to Fletcher as the chopper comes to rest on its pontoons in the middle of a sky blue lake alive with insects and rising rings. " Quill, you and Cindy take the inflatable Zodiac and try the area near shore. The Israelis and I will throw a few loops off the chopper pontoons to get things started. Here is your CIA cleared cell phone. Lets have some fun, remember the whole idea here is fun and adventure!"

The Zodiac slowly glides across the small lake toward a waterfall where the surface is exploding in rings left by big trout hitting anything that moves. Quill and Snarecat are tying on the "can't miss Hopper/Dropper fly set up"; Cindy is ready to throw and has the bow all to herself. " Look at that, that is a serious trout, my friend," " Fletch, did you see how he" Suddenly, Cindy has a good fish on and then Quill is hooked up as well. Snarecat has yet to get in the water and is all smiles as Cindy and Quill let the first double of the day on their merry way. " Mr. Quill, nice work sir, your combo set up is deadly on the first cast." " Oh, oh, it's ash nice fish. Cindy can you take a quick photo?" " Smile, that is a beautiful trout. Look at the reticulated markings. These fish are all in the six-plus pound range. The biggest Brook Trout in the USA maybe?" " Oh man, this guy is all fight. Wow, he has me into the backing and now fire that engine we gotta roll." Quill is into at least 8 to 10 pounds of mutant brookie with big shoulders. " Hang in their Fletch, can you get anything back on that reel?" " I have about ten feet back on and man he is going for the border." This non-stop action continues till about 9:30 and the Zodiac returns to the Chopper. Long faces meet and greet the highly charged successful Quill. " I don't have to ask how the chopper crew scored this morning, hey mates?" " Ok Fletcher, we did learn a lot this morning." " Yeah, that translates into no fish caught right?"

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY?

The afternoon begins with a coin toss to decide who stays with chopper and straddles pontoons and who gets the hot Zodiac baby! Quill wins the toss and decides the little boat is hard to resist. In a few moments the party-is back even closer to the waterfalls. In a flash the little Zodiac is abuzz with fish on and smiles a yard wide. " Fletcher I have to hand it to you on this adventure and once again thank you so much for thinking of me and inviting me." " Cindy, please. You know how much your friendship means to me and how much I cherish your loyalty and integrity. I only wish…" Then suddenly the unimaginable happens, freak winds cause the Zodiac to pitch and yaw and in an instance Cindy is over the side and rapidly being swept into the 100-foot waterfall dead ahead. " Cindy, hold on, sweetie. This damned engine has not failed all morning now when it really counts." " Quill, here let me try and start it. " Both men now stop and stare in utter disbelief as Cindy's gorgeous blond hair disappears over the waterfall." Mayday, mayday, Slick we have lost Cindy over this giant waterfall! Get that chopper over here and maybe we can still help her, God, I can't believe it "

The day's remaining light are spent with an all-out search and not a trace has been found. The President has just spoken with Slick Brainy and Quill as light welcomes the night…

Check back next month for the ongoing storyline of Fletcher Quill, "Has Cindy Vanished?".