Stoicism and fly-fishing — Week five

Here are this week’s thoughts.¹

“While it’s true that someone can impede our actions, they can’t impede our intentions and our attitudes, which have the power of being conditional and adaptable. For the mind adapts and converts any obstacle to its action into a means of achieving it. That which is an impediment to action is turned to advance action. The obstacle on the path becomes the way.” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

I have a coin on my desk that reads “The obstacle is way” on one side and “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” on the other.² That point of view can be invaluable in fly-fishing.

There are a variety of obstacles to fly-fishing. Some are big, others are small. Some are physical and others are mental. The list goes on. But look carefully at those impediments and you soon realize those impediments can tell you what needs to be done. Each of the impediments can be a steppingstone toward your goal.

With fly-fishing, success means executing a series of actions that result in being a fish to hand. Each of those actions can be an impediment or path to success.

“Whatever anyone does or says, for my part I’m bound to the good. In the same way an emerald or gold or purple might always proclaim: ‘whatever anyone does or says, I must be what I am and show my true colors.’”—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

As a guide, it’s not enough that I know the rules and ethics of the sport. I must practice them without exception. If I bend or break them, I set a terrible example. My north star must always be doing the right thing and teaching others what the right thing is.

“Never shirk the proper dispatch of your duty, no matter if you are freezing or hot, groggy or well-rested, vilified or praised, not even if dying or pressed by other demands. Even dying is one of the important assignments of life and, in this as in all else, make the most of your resources to do well the duty at hand.” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

At the end of every trip or class there is always the last step of cleaning and putting away. Could I put it off until later, grab a beer and sit and relax? I could, but I don’t. I know from experience that the unfinished tasks will nag at me until they are done.

As far as dying goes, I wouldn’t mind croaking peacefully on a trout stream, but not too soon.

“The task of a philosopher: we should bring our will into harmony with whatever happens, so that nothing happens against our will and nothing that we wish for fails to happen.” —Epictetus, Discourses

Fly-fishers by nature are philosophers. The experience itself is gratifying. The multiple aspects of that experience are satisfying. I don’t set myself up for disappointment by wishing for something I can’t control. The fish have a say and I can’t will them to be caught. Catching a fish or two is a bonus.

“Protect your own good in all that you do, and as concerns everything else take what is given as far as you can make reasoned use of it. If you don’t, you’ll be unlucky, prone to failure, hindered and stymied.” —Epictetus, Discourses

I’m protective of my integrity. That’s a fundamental tenet of not only my business as a guide and but my life as well. I strive to continue to educate myself in the sport and business, so I don’t squander the opportunities I’m given. I’m obligated to protect the resource I enjoy so much. To do otherwise is to court disappointment.

“Good people will do what they find honorable to do, even if it requires hard work; they’ll do it even if it causes them injury; they’ll do it even if it will bring danger. Again, they won’t do what they find base, even if it brings wealth, pleasure, or power. Nothing will deter them from what is honorable, and nothing will lure them into what is base.” —Seneca, Moral Letters

Being a fly-fishing guide is honorable work. It’s harder than it looks, can cause injury, and if you aren’t careful, can be dangerous. It’s taught me that honorable work is rewarding. Wealth, pleasure, or power are cheap dates compared to the satisfaction of being an honorable guide. And the guides I know well have reinforced that.

I like to think my time in the Navy was honorable work. My personal life hasn’t always lived up to that standard. But I like to think I’ve learned some excellent lessons and become a better person for it.

“On those mornings you struggle with getting up, keep this thought in mind—I am awakening to the work of a human being. Why then am I annoyed that I am going to do what I’m made for, the very things for which I was put into this world? Or was I made for this, to snuggle under the covers and keep warm? It’s so pleasurable. Were you then made for pleasure? In short, to be coddled or to exert yourself?” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The alarm goes off and it’s early. The temptation to hit snooze is strong. Nine more minutes won’t hurt. Nope, I set the time of the alarm for a reason and it’s to get up and get going. I have things to do to prepare for the trip or lesson and rushing because I took time to sleep in is not a suitable way to start this day. If I want to sleep in, I don’t make commitments that require an alarm.

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^[1] “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Holiday, Ryan. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph (p. 1). (Function). Kindle Edition.

1. I’m reading Ryan Holiday’s “The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.” While each day’s offering applies to everyday life, as a thought exercise, I’m writing on how each daily reference relates to my fly-fishing experience. I encourage you to get Holiday’s book, his insights are excellent and well worth your time.

2. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Holiday, Ryan. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph.