A Case For Fly Fishing

The antidote for the city dweller

A few weeks ago, I stood on the bank of the Esopus creek near Phoenicia.
I was observing insect activity, measuring water temperature, and peeking for life under stones. This was my second fly fishing trip of the year and I was hoping for better luck than my first. After reading the water, I scoped a shaded area across the creek and waded over with hope and my fly rod.

The sound of running mountain feels like coming home. If the entire Universe had a singular power outlet to plug into I’m certain a creek or brook would be it. Life flows and everything is its right place. In the water, several times, I come close to losing my footing. And then, after the wade, I secure myself and begin to cast.

On the water, I’m focused on one thing. Catching a fish. So I hold my rod, face my target, draw the tip of my rod back and send it. Turning the dry fly slightly to present it convincingly. Under the June heat, it floats over the running water. I make a few casts and wait. Nothing. So I move downwards, cast, and my fly gets caught in a tree. After many tangles and lost flies, I’ve learned how to handle the setbacks, but these trials, for the fly fisher, are inevitably part of the process. If you learn to listen, the water makes an excellent teacher.

Illustration of a Blue-Winged Olive fly

I’d been eagerly waiting for my next catch. The last fish I caught was over a year ago. A beautiful small wild brookie, somewhere in Pennsylvania. It was my first brookie. This year, in May, I went fly fishing in various creeks along the Beaverkill. On that trip, the trout outsmarted me and I went home humbled. Patience, like any virtue, must be continually sharpened. Fly fishing, like drawing, provide excellent ways to sharpen up.

Illustration of a small brown trout

In fly fishing, when nothing happens, you move on to cover water. I’ve learned to see, act, learn, adapt, and repeat. I’ve learned you never stay still. Use all your senses and be ready for change. Pay attention to the environment. On the Esopus, I changed my fly and casted again. Then after adjusting my fly, came a light gulp, and the tug. Fish on! After a brief struggle, I reeled in a gorgeous brown trout. Gently, I removed my blue winged olive fly from its mouth, whispered thank you, and let it go. ⚜️

The Pinboard

- A good film on life and fly fishing is called A River Runs Through It
- I’m reading a book called The Optimist
- Learn about legendary fly fisher and my teacher Joe Humphreys in the documentary Live the Stream
- If you want to visit upstate and wish to stay somewhere wonderful. Book space at Hotel Lilien.