Decided to do the unthinkable, the ridiculous- go to the river on Columbus the Terrible Day weekend (how history books now read) . We left at 10, got to Altmar with nervous anticipation, as I kept telling myself to expect the worse, just watch the animals and see the circus, not going to get on any rides at this fair. Downtown Altmar lived up to its billing. I stayed for less than 10 seconds. Off to the UFZ. Parked in the -------- You fill in the blank 2 bob parking and walked in mid-way. A guy here, a guy there, not a guy everywhere. Couldn't believe it. 2/3rds of the Paradise pool was free. I went in and for the next 4 hrs. stayed hooked-up for most of the time. I landed 2 fair hooked- the other was larger than the one in the pic, but the hook broke as I pulled it up and the pics are only splashes as it went back out. Lots of fouls on the drift and swing, but I managed to get most away quickly and only snapped off a few. The rest got themselves off. I fished upstream from a fellow in the tail, and had some great laughs, while Nancy watched on shore with his wife. If I could picture and explain what I would envision the SR should be , this was the poster for it. Not the dark salmon I landed- the fun, fun , fun with good people being polite and respectful. We were going to stay in the area, but my arms were plenty sore and I wanted to retain a perfect memory. I didn't see or hear of any trout up that high , shallows filled with those shedding the mortal coil and a few 1/0's , hordes of redds (I was sight fishing males with dark buggers) , leaves not an issue. Well, yeah they were- they were still gorgeous on the trees. Can't wait to go again- next time I'll be seeking trout and much more selective. Can't take yesterday away though. Today, instead of fishing, I'm volunteering to go pack up and put in storage the household goods of a Vermont SEAL that's getting the Voodoo psych treatment for his PTSD in a state of the art place in New Orleans. The landlord evicted him , due to non-payment. She's being nice about it, but is showing no mercy. Get F'ed in the 'stans and come home to face the same. I'll maybe put some Karma forward to pay for yesterday.