I was thinking... November 12, 2023

Ask a pro

As a guide and instructor for Mossy Creek Fly Fishing, I acknowledge my bias in the recommendation I’m about to make. I recently reread a tutorial about fly lines in Gink & Gasoline. It’s geared toward new anglers and it’s well done. What got my attention was Kent’s response to a comment.

I really think it would be helpful particularly to newcomers in the sport, to have recommendations by fly rod companies on what fly lines should be used with their fly rods. Generally this falls in the hands of the retail staff selling the fly rods to inform the buyer [emphasis added] but sometimes the subject isn’t brought up. This especially holds true for people purchasing fly rods online.

If there’s a better reason to go to a fly shop, I don’t know one. Knowledgeable shop folks can work with you to find the rod and line that suits you best. Something online shopping is poorly suited for. Sure, you could spend the time doing the research yourself and hope you dial it in correctly, but if you are new to fly-fishing, you will learn more and learn it faster from a respected fly shop.

Is there’s an “A game”?

You need to “bring you’re a game” is an oft heard expression in the sports world. It got me thinking. Isn’t everything we do our “A game”? What I mean is, do we seek opportunity to fail?¹ I certainly don’t make a conscious effort to be bad at something. I may not be taking it especially seriously, but even then, I’m living my life in that moment intentionally of otherwise. I don’t need a cliché to exhort me to do better. As Popeye said, “I am what I am.” And the ultimate judge of my “A game” is me. I’m just living my life as best I can.

Guides and ghillies

The thing I like about Kirk Deeter is when I read his article, it makes me think.

His article “The True Cast - On Guides, Ghillies and the Great Ones” is a case in point and it got me thinking. Deeter visited some ghillies in England and explains their role.

A ghillie will help you out, and offer advice and wish you well. But at the end of the day, their allegiance is with the river… and the fish. It’s like a groundskeeper or a gardener who cares more about the setting rather than the commercial flower-seller who cares about cutting and selling bouquets.

I’m fortunate to guide with guys that have that quality of stewardship. They understand the importance of water quality and what goes into it. They are attuned to the health of the rivers and streams as if it were their own health. We know that without healthy habitat and water quality are key ingredients for successful fishing. I’m proud to be in their company.

Grand Old Flag

My granddaughter’s third grade class had a musical celebration of patriotism this week. Few things are as meaningful these days as those times I get to see my grandkids show how much they have grown. This was one of those times and it warmed my heart. The kids were decked out in red, white and blue clothes and each had a flag to wave throughout the program. One song they sang was “Grand Old Flag.”

You're a grand old flag
You're a high-flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave
You're the emblem of
The land I love
The home of the free and the brave
Ev'ry heart beats true
Under red, white and blue
Where there's never a boast or brag
But should old acquaintance be forgot
Keep your eye on the grand old flag

Who knows how many school kids have sung that song over the years? I know when I heard it sung by someone especially dear to me it got me thinking how fortunate we were, sitting there listen to those words.

That’s all it is

You know what I'll say? I won't say a goddamn word. Why? They won't understand. They won't understand why we do it. They won't understand that it's about the men next to you, and that's it. That's all it is.

Those lines from the movie Black Hawk Down sums it up for me. I’ve been out of the Navy longer than I was in, but I recall the good and bad times with astonishing clarity. As I write this on Veterans Day, it gets me thinking of those who understand and those who don’t. I didn’t understand when I first went in. I had an inkling, but understanding came later.

Hoot was right. I came to learn that, and it was the best lesson of my life. It's become a standard I’ve used to judge myself and other people by.

Would they want me next to them? Would I want them next to me?

If you know, you know.

1. my life is replete with examples of my being bad at something, by the way.