I am not typically a "New Year's Resolution" kind of guy. Part of me doesn't see the point, the other part of me really doesn't see the point when you watch a lot of people make a resolution that is quickly forgotten by February. However, while I woke up to -3 degrees today and have found myself constantly drifting to thoughts of standing near a river with the warm rays of the sun on my skin, I felt compelled to make a small mental resolution.
You see, for the last few years I have had this dark shadow creep over my mind. I love fly-fishing so much, but I've gotten to a point where I get frustrated by things out of my control: Overcast skies (on a day you were hoping for sun), strong winds, fluctuating water flows (on tailwater fisheries), too many fisherman on the river ... the list goes on. I think it has been compounded by the fact that I'm not in my 20's anymore, and I'm not single anymore. No more "fishing whenever I want, wherever I want and for as long as I want." And of course Allen Brothers has made things interesting. I love what Jay and I do as a company. We take our knowledge of fishing and try to create something great for the sport. But, the flip-side is spending a lot of time turning your love-affair/hobby into dollars and cents.
Somewhere in all of it I think I got off track and it became about catching large numbers of big fish in the perfect conditions. Anything less and I felt robbed, cheated and generally went home with a feeling of disappointment. Now, mind you, I have had a lot of great days on the water, but it hasn't "refreshed" my soul as it has in the past.
So, to get to the point, here is my resolution ... I promise to spend more time sitting on a rock on the bank. I promise to not worry about getting to the river later than expected, or leaving earlier than wanted. I promise to get to the river earlier and stay later than I should! I promise to seine more frequently rather than just tying on flies I know will "get the job done". I promise to breathe deeply and smell the air more frequently. I promise to take more photos of the world around me, and not just fish. I promise to live life.
The best news ... I can't fail by February, because it's barely just begun!
-Jeff
That was a good read Jeff. Opened my eys a bit.
ReplyDeleteCheers Jeff. I think it's a perfect resolution.
ReplyDeleteThanks gents. Glad it was a good read!
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you bro! God asks us to stop and listen ~ even while fly Fishing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Good thoughts that provoke further thought. I hope you stay on it.
ReplyDelete