500 words about... week one

One of my intentions is to write more often and more consistently, so I’m setting a goal of at least 100 words a day for at least five days each week. Here's this week's compilation.

Practice

I saw this clip on Kelly Gallops Instagram page, and it made a load of sense. Kelly ties on a streamer he can see so he knows how it looks in the water. He does it to have a reference for when he is fishing streamers he can’t see. I’m guilty of tying on the fly and flinging it out and expecting a fish to eat it. I’m relying on my experience and judgement and hoping it’s enough to do the trick. Taking a few practice casts to if what I expect to happen is really happening is time well spent.

“It’s the wizard, not the wand”

That expression popped up on social media the other day and it got me thinking about the truthfulness it carries. Watch accomplished fly angler cast a fly line without a rod and you will see the truth of it. Whether it’s fly-fishing gear or technique, there will always be arguments about what is the best. Using the best tool for the job is important, good tools make life easier. Knowing how to use the tool well is essential. Investing in lessons or guided trips will improve your skills faster than a tool will.  In the end it’s the wizard not the wand.

Writing in repose

Reader, Jim G. Graham asked about the photo I used in the initial 100 words about post. Jim wanted to know if the water in the photo meant something to me. It’s where the Caloosahatchee River enters the Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve at Sanibel, Florida. I was there for an American Fly Fishing Trade Association meeting. For me, writing usually involves time with my feet up thinking. At the time I was working on this article, “A Dirty Deal in Florida.” I wish I could say things have improved in 10 years, but we all know better than that.

Why fly-fishing is like playing poker

Jim VandeHei wrote about the life lesson of playing poker, and it got me (not surprisingly) thinking about fly-fishing. VandeHei offers many compelling reasons for playing poker. I think everyone should fly-fish for many of the same reasons. Read VandeHei’s article and substitute “fly-fishing” for “poker.” Here’s a good example, “If you sit around a table spend time on the water long enough, you'll start to read people's eyes and twitches water, their tendencies and styles, their strengths and weaknesses. Think of poker fly-fishing as a fun way to sharpen your emotional intelligence.” Give it a try and you will see what I mean.

The tomorrow question

Would you say yes to doing something that happens in a week or a month if you had to do it tomorrow? Maybe because I see the outward limits of tomorrow now more than I did 40 years ago that I weigh my time commitments more heavily. I’ve found myself turning down commitments in the future because when I ask myself the tomorrow question, it often is a “no.” The question makes me weigh the importance of those commitments against the other priorities in my life. The harsh reality of being my age means time is more precious. And how I spend my time is increasingly important.