Fly Fishing and Family

Someday when I’m too old to fish by myself anymore, I want to sit on the porch and reflect on memories of family. Certainly many of my thoughts are going to involve being on the water with my two children who share my love of fly fishing. Through the years I’ve watched as these two have delevoped into their own little personalities, both similar but very different all the same. No matter which direction their lives and activities take them, one thing brings them together every time, and that is fishing.

Often enough our adventures lead us to some great destinations or catching a moment that I just want to freeze in time. These are special times that we share as a family and once in a while we share with all of you. Many of you have watched my children grow but may have never realized who the kids in the pictures were. Brittany and Seth are now 15 and 12. Both love school, sports, picking on each other and for now hanging out with dad and mom. Although with the teenage years upon us, I’m sure the latter will change. My hope is when the dust settles they still come back to fly fishing with ol’ dad.

A few years back I stepped away from a great career and traded my suits and ties for waders and boots. My decision to make such a drastic move was based solely on two things; one was my trust in God, the other was my love of family. I worked nights, weekends, and holidays and never saw my family other than in pictures or when they were asleep. When it finally hit me, I had missed lots of time, fun times that can never be gotten back. In the grand scheme of things it wasn’t worth it. I felt it wasn’t fair that I missed the only childhood they would ever have. These days I don’t miss much

I suppose what I’m rambling on about is this; Take every opportunity you have to spend time with your family and especially your children. In this digital age of video games and cell phones there are far too many distractions that keep us apart. Fly Fishing and family time go hand in hand. Spending time outdoors whether it be fishing or whatever, will be time well spent. One day you may go from taking your kids fishing, to them taking you!

See y’all on the water