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Irish. My dads mother came directly from Ireland to Michigan and
got married to my dads father. She had the idea that the highest
value anyone could achieve was being a writer. I think it had
something to do with the poets and other writers which had come
from her country. Well, my dads father was from Denmark so I
only inherited a quarter of Irish some might figure.
"The road wound up the mountain like a Morning Glory climbing a
fence." This was fawned over by my second grade teacher. Actually
sent home with a note about how I might have a talent for writing.
Just goes to show you how much a second grade teacher might know
about writing and or talent. It seems to me that talent is one of
my many shortcomings, especially a talent for writing.
I have taken writing classes and some workshops and special 'creative
writing' groups and still see little hope for me as a real writer.
Every so often I manage to string a few words or lines together in
such a way that may communicate but generally speaking I lack that
magic spark for the game. Maybe a lot like my fly casting. I can do
it, but there are sure a whole lot better at it than I.. Yes, those
who have a talent for it.
It is a little like the dripping water torture treatment. I must be
a constant reader. I need to keep up on the latest gear and the
newest books on our sport. Then I do read for pleasure some other
types too. What is constantly thrown in my face is good writing.
Does it bug me? Yes it does. It makes me wish I had at least a bit
of whatever it takes to write well and interesting things. Perhaps
to be of some value to you and the rest of the fly fishing world.
It might be nice if I knew a few things and had the way with words
that the real writers have. To grab you and haul you into a subject
and then convince you of some great truth which may have previously
escaped your attention. But, such is not to be. I have reached my
pinnacle of success. This is as good as I get. In fact, I might start
going down hill, I have no way of knowing. But, at least I have tried
mostly to be truthful and honest whenever I could without making myself
look too foolish.
I am pretty sure I have never written anything that was a downright
lie, even if it might have seemed like a good idea at the time. And
I have only stretched things when it was absolutely necessary. Stuff
like how many fish I caught, how far I can cast and how old I am.
Mostly my writing has tended to be on the up side, not all negative
remarks blasting things or people. I hate those kind of writers,
talent or not. I think writing should try to be nice.
So, there you have it. Here on my thirty-ninth birthday I will go
outside today and practice my distance casting (going for beyond
110 feet) so I can reach those ten pound brookies in a secret lake
I know of just five minutes from here. ~ James Castwell
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