| Fly fishing is a spectacular hobby. Very few | | | | often that they rarely have a line above the |
| pastimes combine so many interesting features. | | | | water. The only successful anglers are those who |
| From physical dexterity to a knowledge of biology | | | | have patience. |
| to a mastery of area entomology, fly fishers are | | | | Knowledge is power. That's another old cliche |
| able to explore so many exciting topics in their | | | | many of us disregard. We jump in headfirst |
| quest for those thrilling moments when a fish | | | | without knowing exactly what we are doing and |
| leaps and takes a fly in his mouth. | | | | without the information necessary to successfully |
| As with so many worthwhile pursuits, however, it | | | | confront a challenge. An angler, on the other hand, |
| isn't always easy. In exchange for the fun, | | | | comes to the stream with knowledge. He or she |
| fulfillment and excitement offered by the hobby, | | | | understands the equipment, the stream, the |
| one must put forth a genuine effort. Fortunately, | | | | weather, the fish likely to be swimming about and |
| much of the work is fun. Any angler would enjoy | | | | a host of other factors. |
| reading more about the hobby and the game he | | | | Those who attempt to fly fish without that kind |
| or she will be pursuing. Anyone with the slightest | | | | of knowledge are far more likely to have their |
| interest in fly fishing won't mind practicing his or | | | | patience tested than the well-informed, who are |
| her cast until the body's muscles have memorized | | | | able to maximize their chance of success. Those |
| each element of the motion. | | | | who fish with a box full of tackle and a mind full |
| Successful anglers should be role models for all of | | | | of data are the ones most likely to leave happily |
| us. They have combined three powerful traits | | | | at the end of the session. |
| that can help anyone to live a better and more | | | | Does all of this mean that those who fly fish are |
| successful life. Consider the two keys to fly | | | | somehow superior to those of us who don't? I |
| fishing success. While you do, think about how | | | | am sure a few fly fishing advocates might argue |
| those lessons might apply to anyone's life and | | | | that is the case, but that really isn't the point. The |
| how fly fishing just might be something of a | | | | crucial thing to recognize is that fly fishing |
| microcosm of life. | | | | encourages both the development and use of a |
| Patience is a virtue. That sentiment has been | | | | few mental habits from which we all could |
| expressed so many times that it has almost lost | | | | certainly benefit. |
| its meaning. Clearly, the message has been lost | | | | Fly fishing is an object lesson in the value of |
| by many of us as we move through our hectic | | | | patience and the power of knowledge. It shows |
| lives at warp speed, rarely even stopping to catch | | | | us that taking those two concepts to heart can |
| our breath. Those who fly fish, however, have | | | | be the difference between a fulfilling experience |
| acknowledged the importance of patience and | | | | and frustration. That's an important lesson no |
| have made it part of their lives. | | | | matter how it is taught. |
| A day of fly fishing may feature scores of | | | | Imagine how peoples lives might be improved if |
| struggles with potential trophy fish. A day fraught | | | | everyone committed themselves to being |
| with that kind of excitement, however, is no | | | | knowledgeable and found it within themselves to |
| more likely than a day spent with only a single | | | | be a little more patient. It's hard to argue that the |
| nibble. No-catch days are common, yet the fly | | | | world wouldn't be a better place. Will fly fishing |
| fishing master will still stand in that unmistakable | | | | make you a better person? Not necessarily. Then |
| posture, casting again and again, waiting patiently | | | | again, it may remind you and those around you of |
| for his opportunity. | | | | the value of those two key attributes. Fly fishing |
| Those who don't practice patience find | | | | is patience and knowledge in action and the result |
| themselves switching casts, flies and locations so | | | | is really quite amazing. |