I went fly-fishing for the first time last year. I had always been intrigued by the graceful and peaceful nature of the sport and after my first afternoon hooking rowers on the Charles and joggers behind me, I had a good hankering to continue on.
My friend Nicole took me on that adventure and recently, trying to keep my interest still peaked, she bought me John Gierach's "Death, Taxes, and Leaky Waders"...a compilation of the fishing writers greatest hits so to speak.
This was going to be a true test of me new found passion. Could I read a book on fly-fishing? If I didn't could I ever tell Nicole? Well, with much trepidation I struck forth...slowly and arduously at first...there were far too many terms and slang for me to feel comfortable. I was a love seat sitter in an outdoor man's world now.
However, as is the case when you are sticking around a group of folks who don't change to accommodate you but make you feel welcome none-the-less, I grew to get some of the references. Gierach is more of a storyteller than a technician. The techy stuff was just his vernacular...deep in the pages I picked up a fondness for this character....especially when after a few cold ones he heads to fish in the night...or after drag racing teens on a mountain road...in a camper.
I am picking up speed in the book. I feel like I belong. It's like me, some Jack and Coke and the boys...sitting around the fire...telling the biggest fish story.
cross-posted at brianlewandowski.com
Article comments
1 - Michelle
Mhm, I guess fly-fishing is much less graceful and peaceful for the fish. Or the fly for that matter *g*.
2 - andy
I love fly fishing. I've been doing it for several years now. It's the most peaceful escape of reality that I know of!