Yellowstone: Wind in the Smoke

What was Dante hoping to catch while the cowboys went about their work? Well, there was a wide variety of fish, but the most impressive was the bass.

The bass is a fish widely distributed in both freshwater and saltwater, with many species.

In Russian fishing, the term bass often refers to the European perch, native to freshwater in Europe. It inhabits the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, from the African coasts to Norway.

Though it may have been introduced as an exotic species in some parts of the United States, Dante, who had done some research on fishing in Montana, knew it was common to find them there.

Dante carefully approached a suitable fishing spot along the riverbank, where the water flowed slowly, surrounded by lush aquatic plants—a preferred habitat for many elusive fish.

Afternoons weren't the best time for active fishing; early mornings and late afternoons were usually ideal.

Dante knew this well, but since there wasn't much else to do, he decided to press on.

He chose a fly lure shaped like a caterpillar, known to attract perch, and tried it first, aiming to see the reactions of the skeptical cowboys.

He still had time before taking Tate back to his family. After all, he had promised to do so.

Standing by the river, Dante carefully balanced on the slippery rocks with one foot while the other rested firmly in the muddy bank.

The fly fishing rod in his hand swayed skillfully through the air, the lure tracing an arc before softly landing on the water.

Dante patiently reeled in the line, occasionally flicking the rod tip to mimic the restless movement of an insect on the water.

Time passed peacefully, with only the sound of birds and the gentle breeze over the river.

Yet no fish bit the lure, and Dante, who had initially been enthusiastic, began to feel a bit frustrated. "Come on, for the love of God, don't leave me hanging."

Just as he was about to change locations, the fishing line suddenly tightened, and his heartbeat quickened.

Dante's eyes lit up with excitement as he swiftly lifted the rod, feeling a strong pull.

His fingers worked deftly on the reel, trying to control the tension and reel the fish in.

A splash broke the water's surface, and Dante caught a glimpse of the fish's silhouette. He couldn't help but shake his head and smile wryly.

"The first catch turns out to be a medium-sized bass," he murmured.

Dragging the fish ashore, Dante examined it. It wasn't too big—the average size is about 45 centimeters, though they can grow up to a meter long and weigh more than seven kilograms.

Dante placed the fish in the bucket beside him, planning to release it later if he managed to catch something bigger.

To impress the others, he aimed for something different—a large yellow perch would do nicely.

Adjusting his winning mindset, Dante changed his fly lure to one resembling a small fish and cast his line toward an area dense with aquatic plants.

The fly lure floated gently among the plants, drifting with the current, and short, controlled movements made it appear like a small swimming fish.

"I think I've got it…" Dante muttered to himself, eyes fixed on the water, his fingers lightly holding the rod, ready for any movement.

At that moment, if anyone asked the Sons of Anarchy what their leader was doing, none would guess that Dante was fishing.

Time went on, and there was still no sign of a yellow perch. But fishing requires patience, and Dante felt the surprise was near.

He adjusted his casting angle and tried different retrieval rhythms, making the fly lure resemble a small fish more convincingly.

Just when he was about to give up, a faint ripple broke the water's calm.

Dante felt a strange tension in the line, and the rod tip quivered slightly.

He knew something was hooked, and this time it was stronger than the previous bass.

"Finally, something different!" Dante murmured, instantly recognizing a yellow perch. With quick and decisive movements, he lifted the rod.

His fingers moved skillfully on the reel, controlling the tenacious fish.

The yellow perch fought fiercely, creating circular ripples in the water as it tried to free itself.

Dante stood firm, planting his feet securely on the rocks to maintain the line's tension and prevent it from snapping.

"Do you think you can escape that easily?" Dante smirked, his gaze focused.

After a struggle, the yellow perch gradually weakened, and Dante finally pulled it ashore.

The perch's golden-green scales gleamed in his hands—a well-proportioned, impressive catch weighing over two kilograms.

"You were tough to deal with," Dante said, patting the perch's side fin before placing it in the bucket.

"Dante, they're looking for you," called Lee after Dante had captured his third fish.

Packing up his fishing gear, Dante headed toward the white off-road truck parked not far from his fishing spot.

To enter the Yellowstone Ranch, permits were required. After all, agents personally hired by Dante monitored vehicle access to ensure security.

As they walked, Julia briefed him on the latest popular surveillance systems and their costs.

The basic system included one or two cameras with simple recording functions, suitable for small monitoring zones. The low-resolution cameras only met basic needs.

The mid-range system had four to eight high-definition cameras with night vision and waterproof design, ideal for 24-hour monitoring. It included a digital video recorder for video storage and cost around $1,500 USD.

High-end systems offered remote access, allowing real-time monitoring via mobile phones or computers. These were significantly more expensive, ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 or more.

Dante knew he traveled frequently and couldn't stay at the ranch long, so he opted for a system with remote capabilities, ensuring the cowboys wouldn't just focus on the livestock.

Now that money wasn't an issue, Dante chose the advanced monitoring system, including drones and specialized radars.

"I heard you wanted to install anti-air defenses in the surrounding mountains, advanced radars, and stronger armored vehicles for rapid response," Julia noted, aware of all the defense systems Dante planned for the ranch.

"What do you think?"

"I think it's extreme. It's not like someone could launch a missile at this ranch and get away with it," Julia replied, finding Dante increasingly paranoid as his power grew.

Of course, Dante saw things differently. "Just enhance the surveillance. Don't forget to intercept any intruders."

"Understood, boss."