It’s just like me to say, alright, it’s the first day of firearms season for deer in New York, so I’ll make myself scarce and head to Pennsylvania for some fly fishing. And then it’s just like me to say, damn it, why are all these blaze-orange gunners standing by the road in rural PA when the deer season is still a week away?
Well, I forgot about the opener of bear season in the state. Obviously there were far more bear hunters in this neck of the woods than bears to hunt. I had to go against the grain of my own interests in fishing the upper Pine. I’d better adapt quickly. Put on a blaze-orange vest to shield my black pullover, and find a less crowded stream to fish.
It’s been the story of my life, pretty much… Going against the grain of expectation, against the current of social affairs, but maybe that’s for the better. I had reason to be thankful. Battling the river currents all these years has left my 65 year-old legs in relatively decent shape.
It was cold and overcast but I was happy to be out. It was peaceful here, no blasts from the bear guns to be heard, as yet. I was still in a funk from all the news of war and violence in the world. The attack on the hotel in Mali left many innocents dead, including one American who, it turns out, was a worker for peace and justice, and also a friend and colleague of a member of my own family… Yes, we cast one stone on the pond of life, and look, the ripples can travel very far.
Which is one of the motivators, no doubt, that terrorists have in mind when they commit the mayhem we all hear about. But think about it, can we cast a stone for peace as well? Can the stone create a counter-wave to the violence washing toward the shores of our own being? I like to believe it can, although we’ll never hear of its effect.
I was casting in the cold and digging it, for a while. I fished for a couple of hours, before the fingers started to freeze and the brain went number than usual.
“Against the Current” was my original title for Beautiful Like a Mayfly— before I thought it wasn’t original enough and therefore had to change it. That title seemed apropos, however, and still seems relevant. Here’s an excerpt from the Forward:
“…With the creek or the river as a metaphor for life, I would soon be wading against the current. To wade in such a manner would become a theme for the days and years to come. If civilization had a wicked flow at times, this was the best way I could serve it…”
Yeah, I would fall occasionally and get swept downstream a ways, but then I would rise to my feet and keep on moving. There’s a lot of good still left to be seen; a lot of good right here and now if we’ve got the eyes to see.
In keeping with the theme, I’ll step from my book promotion to focus on a related item. If you’re a small stream aficionado and don’t have the book 50 Best Places, Fly Fishing the Northeast, you might want to read my “Fly Fishing Slate Run,” replete with map and everything necessary for immersion in a wild environment close to home. Available from Stonefly Press through Amazon Books, this eight-page Kindle Edition is actually the same as the chapter written for 50 Best Places.
I’m headed to the Old Dominion and the Blue Ridge Mountains soon. Best wishes to everyone– for a happy giving of thanks to all that’s important in your life.
Some great pictures and remarks here, as usual. I think we all need the reset that comes with a nice holiday and some time away from the grind. See you in a few days!
Thanks Brent. I’m ready for a reset and am looking forward to the visit!
Beautiful fishing stream!
1world2feet, Thank you for the comment! It’s a pretty one, indeed, with wild trout and Flyfishing Only regs in place.
Keep on wading against the current Walt! Dissenting voices (or voices of reason) have a hard enough time being heard, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth casting a peace stone or three, see if the ripples cancel out at least some of the tidal wave of madness…who knows?
Love the winter feel of the woods in your photographs, worth numbing your fingers for. And I hope the bears are too hard to find, or the powder is damp. Or something.
Enjoy your thanksgiving!
I’ll keep on wading, Plaid, ’cause it’s too late to stop now. Will keep on complaining, bitching, praising, laughing it off, while casting a stone wherever possible. Yeah the winter’s creeping in slowly now, a bit of snow today, maybe enough to put those bears into safe hibernation. Anyway, glad you like that winter woods feeling, and I know you get plenty of that out your way. Thanks, and have a wonderful week!
Ah yeah, the next couple of weeks are a special time in Pennsyltucky – I don’t dare set foot in the woods without some blaze orange on. Time to tend to some indoor matters, I suppose. Have a great holiday in the old Confederacy. Any fishing on the docket?
Fishing in the old Confederacy? Nah, it never crossed my mind. Much. I just assumed I would. And will, if the gods allow. I’ll get back to you on that, Bob. Have some great family time, yourself, and keep your head low if you go outside.
Walt
Amazing how us older guys brave the elements to get to fish a gorgeous stream like that. I notice you were fishing the superfine Orvis, what length/weight were you using? Thanks for sharing
Bill,
I guess us older guys have really learned to love the possibilities, not to mention the fact that we feel the pressure of limited time ahead. Yeah I fished my little 7′ Orvis 4-weight, a 4 piece travel rod in the Superfine model. It’s quite enjoyable on smaller streams. Have a great holiday!
I should have waited a few days to read this as I still have a couple of days of work to go before the holiday. Perfect reading to get in the right frame of mind Walt. I guess I’ll just have to read it again on Thursday. I share your sentiments. Have a joyous Thanksgiving Walt!
Oh, by the way…I just ordered Beautiful Like a Mayfly.
Thanks so very much, Howard. Sure appreciate your support and interest. You help to keep me going, and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving with the loved ones!
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Thanks for sharing your reflections on current times and how you manage to not only reflect, but, look ahead with optimism. I suppose that comes with those of our age and experience. Bless you and your family and please enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday time.
You’re welcome, Mel. We try. Thanks very much for all. Have a great Thanksgiving!
You can tell me I’m imagining things if you want Walt, but I notice an improvement in the photo’s over these few years. Can’t put my finger on it exactly, just something about them that look better, but better is not quite the word I want. The more you do anything the better you get and training an eye is no different than anything else.
And of course, I always enjoy the words.
Nice to hear it, Ken. I hope you’re right about the pics, although I’ve never gotten serious about taking pictures. What I do take more seriously is the attempt to have my photos complement the text, so if I’m making strides there I’m pleased. As you say, practice makes it better, and I like to think that the eye is better trained and some improvements come. I like the strides your own photography has taken; the specificity is really strong. Thanks much, and have a great holiday.
I love it all Walt. And Thank you bro. Thank you.
Sure appreciate it, Doug. Have a great holiday!
Walt, I can relate to your earlier comment about us “older guys” and feeling the pressure of limited time ahead. So go ahead, have that extra piece of pie. It builds stamina and makes us fish better. Honest. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks Les, I’m gonna do it, that extra slab of pecan pie. Could’ve used it this morning, but it will kick in for tomorrow on the trail. Hope you’re feeling it, too. Happy Montana Thanksgiving!
Walt, enjoyed your post. Great pictures, beauties those trout. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving, enjoy your trip.
Thankful to enjoy another visit to the Blue Ridge, Ross. Thanks for the nice response to this, and hope you’re enjoying a family holiday weekend.