I spent too much time last night practicing fly fishing to get a real post written. With the evening sun on my back and a beautiful four-weight rod in my hand, the ten-o'clock-two-o'clock rhythm had my arm clicking back and forth until an hour and a half later I was wishing I had another hour and a half to spare.You should have seen it, I had the leader floating back over my head in a very respectable horizontal snap then sailing out of a lovely loop to land before me in the imaginary stream flowing through the parking lot. It was beautiful I tell you. That tug on the line as it sailed backward and knowing that I had the rhythm just right was a great feeling.
One of the instructors was showing me the effortless art of his double haul cast and I told Andrew that if I'd had the time I'd probably have stayed there for years to practice until I could do it too, it was that addicting. I've seen just enough fly fishing to appreciate the skill it takes--it's a combination of art, nature and physics where your mind is loose enough to reach a state of concentration and rhythm that simultaneously tunes out the world yet makes you aware of every detail of motion.I could very much enjoy it if I could be guaranteed to stay warm (that's my absolute standard for any outdoor activity--if I freeze I'm miserable) and if I didn't have to touch any fish. Do they have fly fishing in Hawaii?
So I'll leave you with some pictures of a recent family outing to McHugh Creek just south of the city. After dinner we took the kids out for a little hike and the spot is always good for some pretty scenery--though it does make me nervous to go too far back there with all the bears.
When I was young we used to go there on picnics and we kids called it The Enchanted Forest. Corny, I know, but it's always so green, fragrant and misty and with all the appropriate mushrooms and moss that the name seemed appropriate, if not original, and my children seem to like the spot as much as I did when I was their age.Sponsored by Sorella Jewelry Studio for fine personalized jewelry.
9 comments:
It looks gorgeous - enchanted indeed! I'm not a fisherman, but I can see how the art and the sport can be addicting and relaxing. My uncle fishes a lot; my son does, but he is strictly a catch and release type. If he ever learns to clean his catch, we might actually cook some.
Oh, lovely! I've never been fly fishing but I can totally get on board with the zen-ness of it. And I agree-- not freezing and no touching fish! Alaska rocks. :)
Would have loved to grow up near an enxhanted forest! Lovely photos!
I haven't fished there, but our family has hiked the McHugh Creek trail. It's always pretty . . . even in the cold rain : (
Beware. From personal observation of my husband, fly fishing can be addictive. Soon you'll be wanting to tie your own flies and buying hip waders...
Love your blog!!! I fell in love with Alaska during a trip & your blog allows me to mentally transport myself to Alaska. Thanks for the pictures you share. We are now in day 19 of triple digit temps in Texas & I find some relief in the coolness I see in your pics.
My rule for outdoor activities is that I don't want to get hot. Want to trade houses for a week? You can hike in the warm sun all you want, and I'll hike in the cool rain, and we'll both get it out of our systems. ;)
Nice looking creek. I have a try using a fly rod. I have to use a really small ultralight rod much easier.
I like to see the location of fishing. seems to be very good for fly fishing.
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