Line cuts on the fingers. Sun on the backs of the hands. Feet that never dry.

Wet, dry, wet, sun. All day.

Hands go in the water with every fish and dry in the wind between them, and every cycle takes a little oil out of the skin. Braided line slices the pad of the index finger on every cast and every retrieve. The water doubles the sun, so the backs of the hands, the neck and the lips burn faster than anywhere on land. Inside waders the feet sweat all day and come out pale and soft.

The routine is short. Cover up once for the sun. Close the line cuts at night so they don't open on tomorrow's first cast. Keep the feet dry in the waders. Central Oregon is a fishing town too. The Deschutes runs through our backyard.