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