Stoicism and fly-fishing: Week one

A thought exercise

This month I started 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 thought I’d look at how they relate to my fly-fishing experience.

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“Indeed, no one can thwart the purposes of your mind—for they can’t be touched by fire, steel, tyranny, slander, or anything.” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The therapeutic value of fly-fishing is remarkable. Regardless of skill level, extraneous thoughts are relegated to the back seat of the mind. It’s one of the most powerful benefits. When you realize that mindset can carry over to other aspects of life then the purpose becomes even more important.

“How beautifully Plato put it. Whenever you want to talk about people, it’s best to take a bird’s-eye view and see everything all at once—of gatherings, armies, farms, weddings and divorces, births and deaths, noisy courtrooms or silent spaces, every foreign people, holidays, memorials, markets—all blended together and arranged in a pairing of opposites.” —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

The bird’s-eye view is guiding canon. We always get as wide a perspective as we can when we approach the water. When fishing, being able to see beyond the narrow focus of the fly on or in the water can be challenging. The reason I take photos of where I fish is force myself to break focus on the one thing and take in the larger view. I try and do that when I change the rig or sit for a pipe smoke.

“He can’t serve in the military? Let him seek public office. Must he live in the private sector? Let him be a spokesperson. Is he condemned to silence? Let him aid his fellow citizens by silent public witness. Is it dangerous to enter the Forum? Let him display himself, in private homes, at public events and gatherings, as a good associate, faithful friend, and moderate tablemate. Has he lost the duties of a citizen? Let him exercise those of a human being.” —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind

I’ve been fortunate to have learned a lot from fishing guides over the years, but I didn’t set out to be one. I didn’t think I would be a lobbyist either, but I became one. Wasn’t planning on being in the military, but joined the Navy in my early 30’s. We all have roles to play and circumstances lead us to them. The guides I have the privilege to work with come from a variety of backgrounds and work other gigs beside guiding. One of the more endearing qualities of my fellow guides has been their selflessness. They look out for each other, the clients and the resource. Damn fine human beings the lot of them.

“Why then are we offended? Why do we complain? This is what we’re here for.”

—Seneca, On Providence

When things get frustrating, whether guiding or fishing on my own, I try and remember that I asked for this. I’m doing something that brings me great joy and has taught me a love for the natural world and the creatures in it. Why should I be upset or complaining.

“Think of those who, not by fault of inconsistency but by lack of effort, are too unstable to live as they wish, but only live as they have begun.” —Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind

This happens more often than I care to admit. I’m too lazy or impatient to change flies and probably miss out on some fish. I think what I have will be good enough. But really, how hard is to change the rig? Not that hard. Will it make a difference? Only one way to find out.

“We like to say that we don’t get to choose our parents, that they were given by chance—yet we can truly choose whose children we’d like to be. —Seneca, On the Brevity of Life

Guides are other people’s children the clients get to choose. As a guide, sharing knowledge is my assignment. How it’s shared is what makes someone want to book a guide again.

“You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its goal as far as possible—and no one can keep you from this. But there will be some external obstacle! Perhaps, but no obstacle to acting with justice, self-control, and wisdom. But what if some other area of my action is thwarted? Well, gladly accept the obstacle for what it is and shift your attention to what is given, and another action will immediately take its place, one that better fits the life you are building.” —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. 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 success.