Visiting Flat Creek in Montreat NC...I was attracted to these medium size little fish.
Three fish on a rock. I first noticed this kind of fish, much bigger than the many minnows, by it's actions of stirring up mud which showed where they were through the reflections on the water.
Friends say they are probably Northern Hogsuckers.
Wikipedia says this:
The northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans) is a freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Catostomidae, the suckers. It is native to the United States and Canada where it is found in streams and rivers. It prefers clear, fast-flowing water, where it can forage on the riverbed for crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects, algae and detritus. It turns over small pebbles and scrapes materials off rocks and sucks up the particles, and other species of fish sometimes station themselves downstream from its activities. Breeding takes place on gravel bottoms in shallow riffles in late spring. This fish is susceptible to such man-made disturbances as channelization, sedimentation, pollution, and dam construction. However, it has a wide range and is a common species so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Are they edible? Nothing said so.
There used to be a foot bridge across the creek to a short trail on the other side, as well as a lengthy trail up to the town of Montreat, and another trail which went up the mountain to a lookout. This parking area is no longer an access to any of them, thanks to Hurricane Helene which flooded the whole area.
This is part of the bed of the bridge which has been cobbled together, but as you can see on the right half, it only has the support struts, and no planks upon which to walk. Further downstream is a repaired road crossing which provides access to the public utilities on the far side, and probably the trails if they are open.
The gravel road on the opposite side just goes to a little shed for the utility people around the curve. The huge bolder in the creek used to be further upstream and I often would sit in that area.
Here's a photo of that tree and rock taken 3 weeks before the storm Sept 29, 2024.
April 1, 2026 with a bit of the debris still at the base of the trees.
Fun just looking at reflections, then I noticed all the activity under the water!
Standing on this bank, you can see how I was higher over the water on this side of the creek.
But I got my photos and returned to my own life.
First I bought a $3 cup of lemonade from these two boys (seen here selling some to a couple of hikers as well) Wow, I asked what the money was going for (thinking how Montreat is a community of retired Presbyterian ministers, as well as a Christian college.) The lad said something about 2 other percentages, and he would put 10% in his savings.
I drove back through the Montreat gateway to go enjoy a lunch of fried fish and chips!
Sorry, couldn't wait to eat a bit before the photo! It's called Mountain to Sea on the menu below.
The view from the Trailhead restaurant. I timed it wrong and missed the free lunch right across the street at the Methodist Church which is offered for contributions each Wednesday at 11:30. I didn't eat until after 12:30. But I did have seconds as my supper.
The further you distance yourself from your expectations, the more exhilarating your life will become.
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This was written several days before my recent hospitalization. This is what my normal life was like...and I hope in a few more weeks I can be back to walking around town or the woods. Until then, I'm afraid I'll rely upon stored photos.
----------- If you're local to me, here's a poster I was recently sent... There have been several trainings given in the area of how to protest.
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