What has fly fishing done to change your life?

This isn’t an easy question to answer “shootin from the hip.” This question shouldn’t have a complete answer if I am being real with myself. I say that because our life is always changing and we are always growing as a person and in life. So the question should be “what has fly fishing done to change your life SO FAR?”

I think about this question frequently but it was brought up the other day by Dane Scott, in relation to another friend. He didn’t have a complete answer either. It’s tough to think that hard about something that most people do for a hobby, but for some people, it is their life. Well, I started to think about it some and realized it would be a great topic for a podcast. And then I realized I couldn’t do the podcast without thinking about this question a bit. Writing some stuff down. So this is just that.

Fly fishing has taught me discipline and patience.

Most people can come up with reasons why fly fishing has changed or impacted their life, to an extent. I know for me, fly fishing has taught me how to be a better person on and off the water. It has taught me discipline and patience. I have learned from fly fishing to have discipline in every aspect of what I do. From organizing gear and keeping it organized, to keeping the rod tip down and not pull the fly out of a rising trout’s mouth. It has taught me to be patient and let that trout rise before re-casting. To wait out the storm and maybe, just maybe you will catch a prolific blue wing hatch that could make your day worthwhile. I take this discipline and patience I have learned and transform it into my daily life.

Fly fishing has taught me determination.

No matter how hard things can get on the water, I am always determined to turn it around and make the best of the day. If I am not catching fish, I don’t take “NO” for an answer. I am determined to catch fish and I will do everything in my power to make that happen, even if that means rifling through all my boxes for the right fly. Changing depth of a rig, or even weight. It’s the same when I am trying to accomplish a task off the water. I take this determination and perseverance to my everyday life and I keep pressing. No matter how hard things get. I always tell myself “this isn’t the worst it has been.”

Fly fishing has taught me that “The grass is NOT always greener on the other side.”

There are situations in life that come up that leads you to believe “the grass is greener on the other side.” If I was only in their position I would be better off. If I only had more money. If I only had a bigger truck. When it comes to fly fishing, it is not always the case, such as life. If I was only on that other bank I would be catching more fish. If only I was a bit more upstream I would be seeing more bugs. If only I had a better fly rod I could cast further. How many times have you thought that and then travelled to that other bank only to find out it isn’t as productive as where you just were? Have you ever made the call to go fish upstream from where you are and the fish just aren’t holding there? Happens all the time. You have to make those decisions to realize what you have right in front of you is what is best.

“I have gone fishing a thousand times in my life, and I have never once felt unlucky or poorly paid for those hours on the water” –William Tapply

To play devil’s advocate…

Fly fishing has taught me to take chances in life. Sometimes you make the move, and you decide to cross the river and go check out the other bank. Sometimes it works out in your favor. You make the call to fish a different section of river that has been neglected, knowing it might not be in your best interest, and you have one of the best days you have seen in some time. Occasionally these decisions aren’t in your best interest and you decided to chance it anyway, and you come out on top! Fly fishing has taught me to take chances even if I feel uncomfortable at times.

Fly fishing has taught me about respect.

Respect is earned, not given. How many times have we heard that? Well it’s true. As a guide, I live by this! As do other guides. I remember when I was a rookie on the water and was trying to keep up with everyone else, always keeping my head down and grinding. Well it took a while for others to see that. My first year was a brutal year and I was always getting flak from other guides. “You rolled over my hole!” “You’re in my spot!” “You were wearing diapers when I first starting floating this river!” That last one is an actual quote from another guide. Point being, it took me a couple years to gain some respect from fellow guides and companies, and it was earned. I never mouthed off or acted like I was better than anyone else. I just did what I knew how to do best, which was fish! As cutthroat as it may sound, this is how it works, not only as guides but in the real world. Not only has it taught me how to earn respect but respecting others and everything around me. When I fish I am always thinking about how what I do can affect others. I always make sure I give people enough space on the river and stay humble when I am catching fish. I have also learned to respect the sport and respect the fish. After all the fish are my colleagues.

Fly fishing has taught me about people.

“Creeps and idiots can’t conceal themselves for long on a fishing trip.” –John Gierach

There are too many people on this planet to count, but in my line of business I can count on seeing every type of person imaginable. Rich pricks, pricks that live off their parents, parents that yell at their kids, kids that hate their parents, people escaping reality, people enjoying life, humble people, nice people, mean people, people who enjoy the sport and people who could care less. All walks of life. But with all those people, you start to learn about them. All people are looking for a connection with one another, and it’s my job to build that connection while on the water. Sometimes I can’t, and I feel I have failed. But yet we caught fish? Have I failed? In my mind yes, I have failed. We need connection as people and what better way to find that then on a free flowing river. Fly fishing has taught me those connections with people and how to better understand a person. It has also taught me that sometimes people are just going to be angry with you, deal with it. Fly fishing also helps to create friendships and bonds with other people. With so many fly fishermen and women out there, there are tons of people who enjoy exactly what you enjoy and can relate. So make friends, converse about it and enjoy fly fishing and the company.

This might not be exactly how fly fishing has changed my life but more how it has impacted it and made me who I am today. There are many other things that fly fishing has done for me, but these are just a few that come to mind. Sitting here and thinking about this question I started to ponder another question…

“Ask not what fly fishing can do for you, but what you can do for fly fishing”