Deep Creek: The Search for the Man Who Went Missing

Recently, I embarked on a backcountry fly fishing trip to Deep Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See, I’d hiked there, once, many years ago. Back when I was a whitewater raft guide, residing near Bryson City, North Carolina. But, about a year, or so, ago, I’d reluctantly come to the undeniable conclusion that I’d lost an essential part of me, since those days. Moreover, its unmistakable absence in my life had left me feeling a bit shaky and uneasy, especially lately.

But what exactly was this missing piece of the puzzle in my life?

That, I couldn’t say. But I did know for sure that I needed to find it, and soon, or I was never going to feel like my old self again. Additionally, around this same time, I started to believe, without any reservations, that the only place where I could actually find what I was missing was Deep Creek. And the trails along it, where I’d once hiked, when I was younger in the absolute physical prime of my life, and, feeling at the top of my game. Thus, I was just absolutely convinced that if I only went back there. To my old home, where I’d once felt so complete and whole. That I’d quickly regain everything that had been lost over the years on this legendary fly fishing creek.

So, with that in mind, I’m not going to speak much about the quality of fly fishing on this stream. As it’s already well-known that it can be fantastic for fly fishing. Nor, am I going to go on about the very challenging nature of the tortuous hike into Deep Creek. Especially, if you’re trying to reach the upstream campsites. Nor, will I remark on the breathtaking natural beauty of this stream, which you will surely encounter right at the Deep Creek Trailhead.

Instead, I’m just going to post a few pictures, which I took when I was backpacking, camping, and fly fishing Deep Creek on my short trip there this year. Then, I’ll finish up by revealing what eventually happened to me when I tried to recover that missing piece in my life.

So that you might learn something from my encounter with the Deep.

As I’m sure you’ll want to prepare yourself for your eventual trip to a natural place of wonder, too–just like Deep Creek in the Smokies–where you might also find yourself inevitably searching your soul for some of the fundamental things, which have been lost to all of us in our hectic, modern day lives…

And finally, as promised, in the words, the passages, below, you’ll see what it really means to experience the Deep, which should help you prepare for your time away from home and the modern world… So please enjoy your adventure in the outdoor world this summer. But I plead with all of you to leave it in better shape than you originally found it. So we can preserve what is so vital to all of us. In other words, please, leave no trace when you leave the wilderness…

searching the Deep for the man who went missing

deep creek is tough to reach
steep elevation
formidable leg burners
stand in YOUR way
back and spirit breakers
for those who don’t have
what it takes

but then, you reach your
end destination
stiff, sore,
and aching beyond belief
and see
so many wildflowers,
honey bees,
butterflies…

and fireflies lighting up the trees
in the evening
followed by brilliant stars
that give you peace
until they fade with the bright moonlight…

then you awaken
to birds singing in the trees
at dawn
and deer crossing the creek
up and downstream of
you

and you stare into the depths of this stream
on a moss-covered bank
wandering
why?
and what if things…
beneath the towering hemlocks
and poplars
until a gentle rain sweeps down
from the spring green, mountain steeps

but now,
you are warm, safe, and dry
in your tent
while mists of blue smoke
swirl around
and shroud everything

until evening comes
when the black caddis,
pale sulphurs,
and yellow sallies
dance and flutter
above the hypnotic,
mesmerizing waters

in which you finally catch a glimpse
of the answer
you’ve been seeking
lying hidden beneath

the answer to the question
as to why you really came back
here
after so many years…

.. after so many years
no, you cannot ever retrieve
what has been lost here
so many things swept irrevocably
down the creek

and watching it all drift away
just out of your reach
caught up in the swift currents
was almost agony
chased by enduring anger
and rage
then disbelief
at losing nearly everything

how?
how, can this be?

see, those tight connections, those
gossamer lines,
begin to weaken and fray with time
until they are abruptly cut into
two separate pieces
never to meet, as one, again

and it just seemed like you had it all made
back then
before you came to this creek again
and things were just so fine
and dandy
peachy keen
and everything was so sweet, like honey,
or a ripe tangerine,
and all that jazz

and then,
suddenly
just like that
it was all gone
and everything changed

no, i can’t take the pain of ever going through that,
again,
cause each time something was lost to me,
i felt like a part of me died

and maybe i really did, too
on this stream
in the shade of those trees
when time finally crept to a halt

but, be that as it may, i still sense
from somewhere within those uncharted depths
that i’ll get back there
just to try to play it out right
one more time again

yes
the deep still calls my name
and in her irresistible voice
i hear the words
that the yearning, the aching
will never end

and so, she weeps an eternity
but i did not shed a single tear
for everything that was taken from me
never to be seen again
on this unforgettable mountain stream

Subscribe:

Thank you for reading my post about Deep Creek: The Search for the Man Who Went Missing. If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please subscribe so that I can send you notices about my future posts. Subscribing is FREE and I don’t spam or share your email. Also, please share this post with your friends, family members, and co-workers on the usual social networks. This will help support this blog and grow my audience.

Gary Alan

After a long career in the publishing industry, Gary Alan left his corporate job to pursue his next adventures in life as a blogger, writer, investor, fly fisherman, hiker, and traveler. He is the author of the adventure fiction book, 'Big Thunder-Hearted River'.