One More Cast

Sooo.. I got up before the sun, made the coffee, put on the warm stuff, dropped a new fly line, my rod, firearm and net in the jeep and headed to the river and more specifically, my honey hole where I saw the biggest trout of my life jump like Shamu just last night as my line broke under a rock!

I always drive up to 'my' spot hinking about the 20 dudes who could be commandeering my coveted area, but to my pleasant surprise.. it was open- I dropped all my gear, gleefully hit that first caddis on the water and nada. Waited 2 hours, switched flies a few times and fished all along that bank, under every rock, every bubbling current.. I mean, this was hunting season game on for me. I was not leaving without him.

Approx 50 yards upstream from me a dude catches and cleans his fish, sets the carcass afloat and I'm like.. yep, that's it. Game over. Fish aren't a stupid as you think they are.. I wanted to shout "hey a**hole, could you dump your guts downstream of my placement?!" but I decided to wait him out and head that way myself once they took off.

Earlly morning fishing dudes are in and out. They are not there to stalk. And they're all 'corn dunkers' meaning they fish with a spin cast. I grew up fishing that way, but once I experienced the ballet of fly fishing, I've never gone back ( unless I'm on my buddy's bass boat lol) ..

So, I make my way to the beach head he was on and.. nada. An old guy shows up down by my gear just as I hook the tree branch in my roll cast area of zero grace and he says.. hey, you should head up to the ford (river crossing) they dumped in yesterday and I caught 2 earlier this morning.. So, off I went.. but not before he made my day.

An older man, he had clearly been fishing a while and he says.. you're one of the few up here who fly fishes. I was like, wut? He said the skill it takes is not worth the effort for most of the guys who live and fish up there on the regular. My angler chick pride fully in tact, I was beaming with gratitude. I was genuinely flattered.

When I decided I loved fly fishing, I took it on as not only a hobby, but joined a fishing club, took in as much Youtube meets Orvis and real time practice as I could (and still do). But let me tell you how I got there.

Being a female angler is like being a female golfer. Every man on the driving range has 'advice' for the girl. Until your drive passes his. I digress.

I was fishing with the guys in our TN group one weekend and as a novice, I had zero gear. None, but my rod and reel which were donated to me- lol. I had no waders, boots, net, leader, tippet, flies.. clippers. dry fly stuff.. NADA. The guys were thrilled to have an additional fun bourbon drinker and convinced me they would have my back with anything I needed.

Welp, that last all of 2 clicks and a raging river bed at the bottom of a ravine where no one could hear me when I shouted I was hung up.. they continued on up the river bed without me. I trekked nearly 2miles through thicket with no path, a dead fly rod, cursing every man but Jesus on my way to our truck.

I was hot, pissed and pissed some more. I decided right then.. NEVER AGAIN. I will bring my own rig, know how to tie my own flies, have a whistle, clippers, net leader..all the things, or I would never come again.

They all apologized once they made their way back, but it was a solid lesson for me- NEVER not know what you are doing if you're doing it with people who do. LOL

Back to today. Made my way up the ford.. stealth as hell.. no movement on my part.. water MAYBE 1ft. fish.. it's MY TIME JESUS! When suddenlly, Not one, but THREE jeeps decide to cross directly in my line's path.. dude's like.. 'oh, sorry'. Again, not gonna cuss. I'm just gonna smile and wave as I murmur under my breath.

I pack up and about to leave when I drive about 100 yards downstream and discover heaven.. I mean, this place is movie scene worthy.. I hop out.. btw.. I don't fish in all my gear anymore unless I'm floating in a wider bed.. I'm all kinds of who cares what I'm wearing as long as I can get to it.. flip flops, shorts, it's on.. I gingerly make my way out to died and gone to heaven waters and cast.. I get a massive strike but by the time I realize it's not the current, IT'S GONE.

God dangit!!!! Now, I'm just defeated. I'm done. Out there since 0700 and not one damn fish on my line at 1100!!!

I am my own worst critic on most things, but I'm genuinely like, WTH am I doing wrong. I matched my hatches, cast in perfect position, in freshly stocked waters.. I'm just a loser!

Then, I closed my eyes, tilted my head back and felt the warm sun on my face. I gave God thanks for such a glorious moment, day, week. It was especially made for me.

I have officially turned into the men who say.. one more cast- lol.. I lied to myself and chuckled at least 10 more casts before I gave up and had to hit the road.

Fishing is hunting. If you're doing it right. Yes, having a line of fish on your string is great, but my greatest fun is learning more about water patterns, currents, watching the hatches on the early morning sunrise dance across the water.. having a respect for the fish and my own limitations - Whether I'm deep sea fishing, fresh water or trout, it all reminds me of good times with my late father as a kid. We fished. I take him with me in spirit every time I go. It challenges me. Physically and mentally. It requires grace and grit. I love it. I'm alone. It's me. The water. No pressure. No stress.. a brain wash of the roaring river beds. It's all so alive. The downed trees, giant stones worn by the path of water unbridled. It smells of dirt and pine and every spring floral fragrance. It's alive.

Fly fishing does require skill. It requires patience and becoming one with every piece of element. It doesn't require fancy gear and all the crap people load up with.. no offense.. it's like my golf game. If I had to play an entire round with one iron it would be my 8 iron. If had to fish with only one thing in addition to my rod and additional flies, it would be my clippers lol- And I've done it.

If you've made it to the end of this read, congratulations..you're one of the few untouched by the brain rot this place affords in attention span. I appreciate your time. I hope you've enjoyed my day as much I have.