Well, here it is. Traditional opening day for fishing. All is quiet on Sycamore Island this morning. The fishermen are respecting the Parkway's request to sit back and wait. A few forgotten items from the bait shop have been removed. I'm sure the bass are happily feeding in the ponds, fattening up for spawning season this spring. The grass is turning green, as it always does this time of year. A beautiful sight to see from the edge of the bluff, overlooking Sycamore Island. There may be a few ghosts down at the river - maybe ol' Billy Bob (who passed away several years ago) is roaming around, remembering the brisk February mornings around the barrel fire, drinking coffee and spinning yarns with Mr. Moen about the fishermen and great fish tales. Maybe ol' Shotgun (past security guard, who also passed away several years ago) is hovering about recalling all his efforts in collecting discarded aluminum cans during his patrol. Maybe sweet Judy (who hung in as long as she could tending the bait shop until a brain tumor took her from us) is there remembering when she saw the mountain lion pass by the bait shop one early evening. I'm sure that all those who have left us, as well as the fishermen of today are waiting in quiet anticipation of the happy day when all the items are in order for the Grand Re-Opening! I hope all goes smoothly and quickly for the Parkway and its Task Force in their efforts to reopen Sycamore Island. (Photo taken one hot August night from in front of the bait shop, looking northwest)