"Gee! People in this sport are sure friendly!"

So said my sister after our latest trip to northern NH. She was a beginner (before she landed a 16 inch brookie--anyone who outfishes me is not a beginner), and got a micro-sized brookie on a teensy nymph while we were kayak fishing. Poor little thing--how to release it? I was too far away, but she paddled over to a gentleman in a red canoe who helped them both out and offered a lot of advice and encouragement.

Later in our trip, we met a couple at a pond. I saw them taking pictures of each other with their catch (dinner was going to be good in that camp!) so I went over to take one with both of them in it, and learned a whole lot about the pond for my trouble. They fish it every year, and now we will too!

As we drove home, my sister made her observation, so here it is for all to share and feel good about.

When you love something...you want to share it. It keeps it going.

People are attracted to their own kind, jerks find other jerks, nice people find nice people.

I golfed for 30 years before taking up fly fishing. I met a lot of nice golfers, but I still agree with your sister. There's something about this sport that attracts nice people who are kind, helpful and generous.

A quiet and solitary experience that is no fun unless shared.

fivedials, yours is the first really unique description of our wonderful sport that i've seen in years. thank you so much for sharing it.

Great story, John. I've had similar experiences sharing the Infamous Pink Worm fly. It is really fun to watch a discouraged fly fisher light up when a new fly changes their day!