New Year Hopes and Dreams
- This topic has 16 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated Dec 29, 2008 at 7:08 pm by
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At this time of year I think most of us reflect on the year nearly past. And some of us are even making New Year’s Resolutions — or at least plans for the next season of fly fishing. For at least some of us may think they’re unlucky enough to live in places where there are only certain times of the year that they can wet a line (are there really such places I wonder as I get set to go out steelheading on this Boxing Day up here in the Great White North?!?!?). Or even worse some may think that fly fishing is only possible for trout and don’t know what to do with the season now closed (of course this too causes me to wonder: aren’t steelhead trout?!?!? and there are places even up here where one can throw out a fly line for trout at any time of year, right?!?!?). But I digress since the point I wanted to make that at this time of year (despite the possible cold weather and snow) we can all start to make plans — and to hope and to dream.
Anybody care to share their hopes and dreams for the upcoming year????
For me it is to get my FFF certification — to travel a bit with fly rod in hand — to try to get out on the water as much as I can (hopefully with some of the folks from this forum) — to try to get more kids (and their families) turned onto our sport.
My flyfishing ambitions this year are to fish more water that I have never fished before. Like anyone I have my favorite spots, but this year I plan to chase down some hints passed on to me in hushed tones of water that doesnt see a stock truck and the inevitable horde that follows. Native brookie fishing is my favorite and I love catching the occasional brown from a high mountain stream. This year is dedicated to the small streams, my favorite place to fish.
Great topic. I’ve got a few goals for this coming year…
1. Baby boy to be born in May…so I don’t know how much I’ll be fly fishing this next year.
2. Put enough coin together to purchase a Native Ultimate 14.5 kayak with all the fixins.
3. Keep working on The Fiberglass Manifesto website and blog.
4. Fish Local and learn some new water…thus the need for the kayak.
Cameron,
Congrats on the little one – my wife and I have a little one coming this summer too.
I’m dying to buy a Native, but just can’t justify spending the while we are hoping to buy a house this year and with a little one on the way.
What I’d liek to do this year…
Get my 8 year old her first spring gobbler, get her back on the fly rod.Mike,
Thanks for the advice….if things keep going the way they are, tying flies will be about the only thing I can afford in ’09.
Can you suggest any good tying books?
There are many…
The 2 that got me through junior formative year, first year…
Mayflies “Top to Bottom” – Shane Stalcup – ISBN 1-57188-242-1
http://www.amatobooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AmatobooksCom&Product_Code=1571882421&Category_Code=
Tying Ememrgers – Jim Schollmeyer & Ted Leeson – ISBN 1-57188-306-1
http://www.amatobooks.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AmatobooksCom&Product_Code=1571883061&Category_Code=
John Barrs, Barr Flies, another great book… but there are many other good books on the http://www.amatobooks.com
Cameron, let me know when you get your boat and perhaps we can meet up on some of the water between Columbia and Charlotte. (I have a lifetime SC license, so either side of the border is fine with me). I have a Hobie kayak rigged for fishing.
One spot I would like to try is the Catawba River below the NC line. I believe it holds a scenic river designation.
I just was listening to one of those year-end shows they do at this time of year — recapping all the turmoil, war, and bleak economic situations from the year nearly past — and I realized that I’m thankful for all the simple things that life can bring us — for me (despite a year of highs and lows — sometimes too many lows to really want to think about), those simple pleasures have usually been with a fly rod in hand — just being out on the water taking in the amazing natural surroundings — the sounds of rushing water or bird songs or just the wind in the trees — the chance to see wildlife — the rise of a trout to my fly — the rhythm of casting a fly rod — taking the time to turn over a few rocks in the stream trying to match the hatch — taking the time to tie flies to replicate that hatch — the companionship shared with fishing buddies — the peace and contentment, the calming effect of all that fly fishing offers
Stay in the moment and live my resentments behind. (And of course say healthy so I can fish do the things I love.)
Randy
Still pursuing the techniques and spirituality of an ideal cast …
http://www.flyandsincasting.comGreat Fly Tying Book:
The Benchside Introduction to Fly Tying – Ted Leeson and Jim Schollmeyer – make sure you buy the spiral bound edition – it has a top and bottom to teach page and you can flip to the technique recommended on that fly – absolutely amazing…I love it!
If you fish warmwater – smallies and big mouth – Bob Clouser’s fly tying book is pretty darn good too…
Wishes for the New Year?
1. Whirled Peas
2. Improving my already good marriage…
3. Loving my four kids better…
4. Time on the water…
5. Fish some new waters (maybe steelheading in Michigan for first time)
6. Turn a few buddies on to the sport…
7. Keep my businesses moving in the right direction…
8. Leave the world a pinch better than the way I found it…
9. Learn to enjoy the journey more…
10. Do something really out of the box – not sure what THAT is yet…Kevin Miquelon
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