Since I began fly fishing a little over a year ago I’ve met a some really great new people. However, I have not been able to share much of it with previous friends. Not with people who knew me before I developed Terminal Angling Syndrome (TAS). While they have been happy for me- they have hardly been able to understand it. They don’t know how or why I geek out so much by waiving a stick in the air. Much less doing that in knee to waist deep water. To say the least, its been hard to pass along.
Two weekends ago I may have been able to affect a slight change in the anomaly of their un-understanding. Maybe for one friend anyways. That’s because I took my friend Jason to fly fish the Blanco river near Wimberley, Texas with me. He’s fished plenty times before on spinning gear- but I’ve been working on converting him. So, having tainted his mind with the ease of/and grandeur in the art of the fly- he willingly agreed to go with me on his own accord… sucker.
The evening before we left for our aqua-trek down the Blanco we covered a few basics. First and of utmost importance we covered casting; ten to two, no wrist, the basics. We took a few casts in the backyard of my house. Next, we went over knots and the like. Now, I’m not a guide of any type or any sort of casting instructor- but I had to laugh to myself with my instruction. I say this because I remember Dave telling me the same things when he was trying teaching me. Even when this continued on the water the next day I chuckled as silent as could be. I didn’t want him to think I was laughing at him.
“Let the rod load,” I told him.
“Slow down,” I said.
“Cast closer to the bank,” I repeated.
And like Dave I reminded, “Did you set the hook?”
Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea thinking what a jerk I am- I did my best to shut-up and let the man learn. I opened my mouth only when I saw frustration or thought I could really help; and to his credit he out fished me that day. He picked it all up very well. I’m not going to mention the big cat he lost because I grabbed the leader to raise the fish, (hey it did work on the first one!). However, I will mention that while I may have beaten him on the over all fish count- he still got the fish of the day.
We spent total of about nine hours floating the river. After, we rounded it out with a good meal at Ino’z Brew and Chew; fried pickles, a steak sandwich, and a reuben. All of it good stuff. In the end it was a great day sharing and teaching my frenzy for fish, and all things fly with a friend. Just as other fly anglers in the sport have taught me- I hope my buddy was able to walk away with a new hobby and find what a joy the Texas rivers really are. For myself, I’m grateful not to have walked away with a black eye.
To be honest, I think I was more excited than he was each time he landed a fish.
Good times.
Fish On,
-Anthony