Ramblings & Readings, Creativity & Conservation, Happenings & Hope

My Fishy Friends,

June is here and I am seeing all sorts of fish being caught - stripers, Atlantic salmon, tarpon, bonefish, bass, carp, and, of course, trout. I think it’s accepted that trout were the first species targeted with a fly but now they are one of hundreds (thousands?). Even so, it’s tough to argue that sight-fishing to a slow, selective, dry fly-eating trout isn’t as exciting anything else in fly fishing. Let me know if you think otherwise!

Cheers,
Jesse

A Friend

As a high schooler, I worked the floor at Maine Sport, the local fly shop and outdoor store, and there I met my first fishing friend outside of my father and his fishing friends - Lucas “Horm” Young. That was over twenty years ago (!) and Lucas and I have remained close friends, despite spending more time in different zip codes than the same one. Once, while living in the same town, we collaborated on a story for The Drake. Lucas is now a fisheries biologist, fishing guide, photographer, avid traveler, and a thoughtful, genuine human. He recently finished a guiding season in Argentina and the film below is a short profile on him and his perspective on nature and fishing. Also, be sure to check out his Instagram to see some of his incredibly images from around globe.

An Old Book

I first learned about Timothy Gallwey’s The Inner Game of Tennis (originally published in 1974) through this great article in Sports Illustrated, about how former-NBA player and current-NBA coach Steve Kerr reads the book annually and frequently gives it away to his players. I gave it a read and couldn’t help but make connections to fly fishing - the Inner Game of Fly Fishing, if you will (essay forthcoming; book pending). It’s a quick read, full of nuggets and gems, and can be revisited often. One favorite passage:

The greatest lapses in concentration come when we allow our minds to project what is about to happen or to dwell on what has already happened… The ghosts of the past and the monsters of the future disappear when all one’s conscious energy is employed in understanding the present.

An Artist

Sometimes there are people you know of before you come to know them. Friends of friends who you’ve seen from afar or heard stories about or are told that you would like. This spring, I was fortunate to finally have the opportunity to truly meet and spend time with artist and guide James Sampsel and I’m humbled to now call him a friend. We met through Writers on the Fly but have stayed in touch since then, sharing thoughts and perspectives, and scheming on fishing together. To me, James’ paintings are very deep - pulling me into the scene in an attempt to know the location or the people or the story. The longer you look at James’ work, the more you see, and the longer you want to look. Give his portfolio a browse and you’ll soon find some that make you look long.

A Memorial

In February, longtime fly fishing trip host, guide, instructor, author, and industry pioneer Cathy Beck passed. I was fortunate to meet and know Cathy through my time at Sage and she was, without a doubt, the nicest person I met in the industry. She was always smiling and always listened closely. She genuinely cared about you and what you had to say. Her fly fishing career, in partnership with her husband Barry, is staggering; they have done it all and were likely some of the first to do much of it. The current issue of Fly Fisherman magazine has a great celebration of Cathy (written by Barry) and this online story covers a lot of her life and career as well. Go to Barry and Cathy’s website for more information on them and their travels.

A Tune

The first time a Daniel Norgren song resonated with me was right after a party at which I’d over-indulged on some homemade moonshine (is that a redundant phrase?). The next day, while easing my hangover, I listened to his tune of the same name and his words, “Moonshine got me,” seemed just perfect. I’m waiting for him and his band to come back to the States so I can catch a show, but in the meantime, I rely on this YouTube live show of his. I think it’s great for the morning, making coffee, as the show starts slow and soft and quiet, and then gradually builds electricity; by the time you’re in the shower, the band is jamming. Three favorite tunes from the show: the first, “Putting My Tomorrows Behind”; the fourth, “Though It Aches”; and, of course, the sixth, “Moonshine Got Me”.

A Thought

Sandra’s seen a leprechaun,
Eddie touched a troll,
Laurie danced with witches once,
Charlie found some goblins’ gold.
Donald heard a mermaid sing,
Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known
I’ve had to make myself.

~ Shel

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The Best Fly Fishing is Everywhere - 06.07.2024