A few random thoughts over the past few months as I have ventured back into a sport I left over 10 years ago,even seems longer than when last on FAOL.
Over 30 years ago I watched a movie called A River Runs Through It
“,but when I’m alone in the half light of the canyon all existence seems to fade to a being with my soul and memories and the sounds of the big Blackfoot River and a four
count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise eventually all things merge into one
and the river runs through it….”
These parting words of one Mr Norman McLean, the fine cinematography of Philippe Rousselot, the beautiful music of Mark Isham along with the commentary and direction of Robert Redford combined to create a series of scenes that place the viewer on the banks of the Blackfoot River in Montana yearning for a lifestyle lost on many in present generations.
Fy fishing a fascinating artful practice that requires of a fisherman the ability to read the flow of wild water, identifying every rock, boulder, log and hole beneath the surface of a any river or stream. Reading the ecosystem as wild flora and fauna adapt to the seasonal changes at play. As winter fades and spring takes its place, pursuing trout has always seemed the next step in a lifetime’s journey of appreciating God’s immeasurably complex and beautiful creation. It can be a daunting challenge that even for the sharpest-minded outdoorsman takes a lifetime’s worth of experience to master. But from the first time I ever watched that movie I envisioned myself on the banks of clear mountain waters casting a fly in the morning sun.
However for me it would look considerably different than on the big screen. Instead of learning on the banks of the wild Blackfoot in Montana I’ve learned to fly fish (often with some of my closest friends) on local waters like the Upper Credit River or the Grand River tailwater, creating memories that I know will last a lifetime.
So why do I really fly fish? I’m still figuring that one out…even more so why it took me over 10 years to get back to it? I have come to a few thoughts:
I don’t think you choose fly fishing.
I think fly fishing chooses you.
OR:
Very often people people tell me that it’s amazing to them how creative fly fishermen are. Or fly fishing people are. You’ll be amazed how many writers….how many musicians….how many actors….how many painters….how many sculptors….even how many bamboo rod builders….how many create….how many people who happen to fly fish are also highly creative and that’s no accident.
When art and fishing meet you get fly fishing.
it’s kind of like ballet.
Ballet and fly fishing to me are one in the same thing.
It’s got to do with rhythm.
It’s got to do with movement.
It’s got to do with connection
All of those things in fact.
Fly fishing is an art form.
OR:
It would have to be my grandfather who is responsible for me becoming a fisherman. — he was the one who first taught me how to fish (using an old baitcast setup) and also the first to show me how to to fly fish — I watched him catch pretty fish I found out were called “trout” using fur and feathers on hooks — trout weren’t all he “hooked” using a fly rod — so was an eight year old boy. And I have graduated to becoming an angler trying to figure out the angles of fly fishing.
But I have rediscovered my passion for fly fishing and guess you could say I have become an addicted fly fisherman. Some people have asked what fly fishing means to me and why I’m so addicted to fly fishing. I find fly fishing is a never-ending learning curve. You will always learn something new when you’re out fly fishing…the connection with the sound of the water & all of nature around you…the bugs &.matching the hatch…being with friends. I think that’s what makes fly fishing such an addiction for me.
Whatever it is though I’m just glad to be back out on the waters.