Why I Fly Fish
Beyond the sound of water flowing over rocks is something more. If you listen, really listen, you can hear it, but not with your ears.
The creek holds the vibration of creation for the entire ecosystem. I go to fish and yet there is so much more I find besides a few moments, here and there, of dancing with wild trout.
In the woods, standing in clear water, I connect with something greater than myself. Everything that keeps my monkey mind in an uproar drops away the longer I wade and cast. Today was over 4 hours and 5 miles of being present, completely present. Fifteen minutes after leaving the creek, monkey mind started up again. I looked at the clock and laughed. But I recognized it and was able to drop back into that state of peaceful oneness. Practice, practice, practice.
I think of fly fishing as mindfulness meditation. Everything I do while wading and casting requires complete focus and presence. Slippery rocks are a perfect mindfulness mentor, Watch where you step, be one with the flow, or whatever else rocks might whisper in their gravely voice (pun intended).
Wild trout magi teach mindfulness about blending in, being quiet, being observant. They teach compassion and respect…land them quickly, keep them in the water, release them quickly.
The green moss, trees, wildflowers, birds singing…all teachers of mindfulness; however, the most powerful mindfulness teacher for me is water. It has been my entire life.
When I moved away from the Gulf Coast several years ago, back to the mountains, several friends asked how I would be able to live away from the water. The funny thing is, I spend more time in the water now than I’ve ever spent in my entire life. I guess I moved to be closer to my master teacher.
I’m starting a program called Wading Women, designed to empower women through fly fishing. I don’t know if women that are drawn to this program will feel the mindfulness aspect of wading and casting, but I want to give them the opportunity to do so.
Beyond the sound of water flowing over rocks is something more. When I connect with that something more, I am changed and return from the experience a better version of myself.
Featured image by David Knapp of Simone wading. Visit Troutzone Anglers to learn more about David’s work.