My focus this year to increase peace and reduce anxiety
Simplicity and technique
I am getting amped up for a couple of days fly fishing: two afternoons and one full day.
It has been a struggle late this winter to be productive and motivated. Bad weather and bad health have combined to get me a little morose, but nature is providing the cure: three straight days of 70+ degree weather! Combine that with the water finally coming down after having some crazy water levels the past few weeks and I am turning the corner mentally.
Why the title and what does it mean?
I am going to be only bringing one rod and a back up rod (in the car) with me this year when I go fly fishing.
I have found myself bringing way too much stuff and way too many rods with me when (a) packing and preparing at home and (b) carrying way too much crap in my vehicle. My GAS problem (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) is driven, I have come to discover, by trying to figure out how to carry multiple rods and long handled nets on the water with me.
This has led to a coming yard sale of gear (online and in person) to fix this problem.
If my friend Domenick Swentosky can walk back to the truck after breaking a rod…so can I.
There are some serious benefits from this mindset and focus for me going forward:
With one rod, I will be focused on versatility and technique. What I choose has to be ready to fish what the water gives me on any given day. My success will be determined by (in part as the fish always get a vote too) my ability to adapt to the water with my experience and skills.
I don’t need a long handled net. I have several nice nets from Orvis, Fishpond and Hellbender (bamboo) that will do just fine.
I don’t need multiple packs/vests. I will be sticking with two: my original Fishpond Ridgeline Tech pack (vest/pack combo) and my Emerger Fly Fishing side bag for lighter days and aesthetics.
I will be selling some tenkara rods. I have found myself continuing to buy more of them so that I can have all the different one’s for every possible situation…and then trying to figure out how to bring them along = madness.
I accept that my problems are my problems and am definitely not suggesting that you should change anything about how and what you do! Fish what/when/how and why you do so that you express your version of humanity the best with the most joy.
On another note, I am super excited to be asked to do a presentation at my Roanoke Valley TU chapter on tight line nymphing! It is Thursday May 15th in the evening. I can guarantee I will be talking about lots of different ways to look at it and giving people several different resources (looking at www.troutbitten.com now) to learn more about it.
As always, all the best and tight lines!
Mike
I am glad to hear you are excited about speaking at TU.