Fox Lake
Polly, the Fly Fisher Lady, does not write often enough, but read but a few passages and you will sense you wish she did. Just enough to titillate and perhaps that is the intent. An enjoyable read from the UK.
The picture has nothing to do with Polly’s blog. I just thought it was equally interesting.
“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again- to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more.”
“The person susceptible to “wanderlust” is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation.”
“In barely one generation we’ve moved from exulting in the time-saving devices that have so expanded our lives to trying to get away from them—often in order to make more time. The more ways we have to connect, the more many of us seem desperate to unplug. Like teenagers, we appear to have gone from knowing nothing about the world to knowing too much all but overnight. The urgency of slowing down—to find the time and space to think—is nothing new, of course, and wiser souls have always reminded us that the more attention we pay to the moment, the less time and energy we have to place it in some larger context.” Pico Iyer
An enticing book promo/review, at the Oregon Fly Fishing Blog (MS), about John Larison’s book, Holding Lies.
(M.C. Escher)
“Coherent, and even beautiful scenes from a distance, are often chaos up close. They’ve been organized, by someone, but yet often it seems as if they’ve been done so purposely to confuse — or maybe, to force us to step back, think, and re-evaluate what the heck we’re doing and what exactly is going on. It makes me think about all the 14,000 ft. peaks I’ve climbed, with all their false summits. Walking up the mountain’s side, you can’t see its top…and then, when you think you do, you reach it and also reach the stomach-sinking realization that it is false. The mountain is toying with you, pilgrim, playing with your mind — but all the while it’s leading you on. You can’t turn back now, because there is something, waiting, still ahead — and even if it is only another false summit, still, it part of the picture…..you just can’t see it yet.” Mysteries Internal (Always nice writing at Mysteries Internal Blogspot)
I had borrowed the image from an art blog and it was not sourced. I saw the author of the post was named Tiny so I referenced him, initially. Then my smarty pants kid came home and immediately knew who the artist was because he has a collection of books about Escher’s work.
PP Dragon Fly's Beauty & Magic Qualities (SwittersB)
“I fish because of beauty” Ernest Schwiebert
I recently received an early edition of Ernest Schwiebert’s Nymphs, published in 1973. The artwork is extraordinary and the information requires study by today’s spoon fed standards. But, in studying Schwiebert, I discovered he was so gifted in expressing his recollections. I like that. As a rule, I am drawn to the visual for inspiration. But, I also am drawn to simple recollections that provide a glimpse of early inspirations and good times. I must confess that beyond techniques, I have not studied the fly fishing legends. I have a propensity to not idolize much these days, because it eventually leads to disappointment. But, Schwiebert seems to have been a bit of a Renaissance man with regard to fly fishing: science, art, literature, persona.
Erin Block
Jay Zimmerman at Colorado Fly Fishing Reports Blogspot (nice tutorials on flytying and pleasant photography) and his partner in fly lines Erin M. Block at Mysteries Internal (gifted wordsmith and passionate fly fisher) are nice places to visit. Check out both of these sites. They both have a warmth to them that suggests no pretense, totally welcoming. I like the Clown Foot Caddis/Sally that Zimmerman created (note earlier today I wrote about attractor pattens or flies capable of the dry/dropper set up…check out the Clown Foot). And, tell me if you don’t enjoy the insightful way Erin puts words down that resonate.
“But I think the deepest pits of fly fishing purgatory are reserved for those who would violate and ruin a landscape on one side of a state, and then use the profits they made by doing so to buy a stretch of clean river on the other side of the state, and build a fence around it.” Kirk Deeter
Country Stream by Randall S. Hansen
Maryam Peigahi of Damsel Flies Fishing Club
“Many of life’s passages leave women akin to a light house on the Oregon coast: weathered, worn, stronger, still standing. The trials of death, divorce, children, health, elder parents, career….the list of life goes on….it tests our resolve, sometimes day after day. So, the other evening I made my way to a club outing (practicing our casting at an area park) for the Damsel Flies, I was self absorbed with my life’s concerns. I arrived and saw the familiar faces and some new faces. I was pleased to see newer faces because it means the club is vital and growing. It has been a positive experience in my life.
But, as I stood there something else occurred to me. I am not alone, as a woman, with the travails of life. As I gazed out at the familiar faces I knew that many, all?, of these women have withstood enormous hardships, heart breaks and the joys of life. Yet, here they stood before me as positive, supportive mentors and ready friends. No need to pour out anyone’s latest woes. Rather, there is quiet strength and warmth from these stalwart women. I was comforted and renewed.
A club provides outings, how to information, the basics for fly fishing or tying. But, this women’s club provides something deeper and more meaningful: quiet reassurance and hope for moving through life and surviving the unique passages of women. I am happy to be part of the Damsel Flies Fly Fishing club. Locate a club near you and join. The advantages are deeper than you might at first expect.” Maryam Peigahi
I believe the advantages of clubs are there for men, women and children depending upon the makeup of the club. It is important to note though what Ms. Peigahi pointed to above….sometimes just being around others that have experienced similar hardships is reassuring and supportive. Some of these lessons may not be realized at the time. I can think of several gentlemen, who have passed on, whom I fished with years ago. In my intense, make the most of every moment fishing, I did notice they were not all that concerned with fishing. They were just out there. Their loss I thought at the time. No, my loss. I should have spent a little more time visiting and listening. They were winding down in life. We may not have even talked about anything too deep. Rather I would just have noted their tempo, their expressions, their joy at just being alive and out there. Slow down, look and take it in like Ms. Peigahi did. Blessings abound where you least expect them.
Damsel Flies Fly Fishing Group
Probably many within the fly fishing blogosphere have seen this post at the Unaccomplished Angler. But for you beginners, there is a call to action amidst the humor. I doubt the author is unaccomplished as an angler. He certainly is not unaccomplished with his ‘photoshop’ accomplishments…..humorous look at fly fishing’s decline in numbers of participants and what to do………..Clint? FLY FISHING NEEDS DIRTY HARRY
Turn & Take (TMuncy) SwittersB
