Flying Over Rainbows

Experiences of Buzz Fiorini by Dwayne Parsons

Excerpt from Chapter 18

"... On one particular day, Buzz flew in and found the Indians using nets to catch the fish. Just because it was on the reservation didn't mean they were free of the regulations enforced by the Fish and Game, and Buzz knew that. But he knew also that the Indians were friends. They never objected when they found him in there and so he resolved not to bother them and instead flew back to the lodge just to rest up.

Shortly after he parked his plane and got into the lodge, the Fish and Game showed up. They came in and explained that they were doing a survey. They asked Buzz and the others there whether they had ever seen the Indians using nets on the salmon, especially up by Kootsnahoo.

Rightfully or wrongfully, Buzz was quick to reply, "No, I've seen Indians in there all right, but I've never seen them using any nets."

The minute they took off, Buzz got back into his own plane and flew up to Kootsnahoo to warn the Indians. One of them he knew very well. As soon as he landed and got out of the plane, his Indian friend - actually the tribe's chief - was on the pontoon to greet him.

"You've got to get your nets the hell out of the water because the Game Department is coming in to check on you."

The Indians responded immediately, pulling their nets. They stashed them in the brush and covered them up pretty well. No sooner had they finished and were back talking with Buzz when the Fish and Game plane flew by and looked them over.

The four men all waved (Buzz included). The wardens looked things over and didn't see any nets, so they just flew on to another destination.

Wiping his brow and smiling with relief, the chief said, "Buzz, we owe you one! You can come and go in here whenever you want." They were simple words, but they might just as well have been written in stone. The Indians knew Buzz's plane by its shape, color and numbers and Buzz was always welcome in there, no matter who he brought with him.

That was one of the few times Buzz ever flirted with a violation. But at the time, friendship was more important than regulation. Buzz wasn't a snitch; he was a friend, always a friend. ..."