Twilight

There’s a magical time of day when most people are comfortable sitting at the dinner table, watching the evening news. Some call this special time the golden hour, as the sun sets and casts a magical light. During the golden hour, trout lose their fear of predators from above and feast on the abundance of the evening hatch.

As darkness envelops the world, the golden hour comes to an end. I stumble back to my car, recalling what I would have missed if I hadn’t made the trek to the river. I used to fish in a trout pond up north. The golden hour brought the water to life. Hex nymphs would swim to the surface, transforming into duns. They resembled small sailboats on the calm, still surface, their wings set, hoping to fly, reproduce, and die. Most were intercepted in the splashy rises of resident rainbows and brookies. It was just a meal, but the circle of life was fulfilled.

Here’s to those magical summer golden hours and the pleasure they bring. Go to the river, pond, or beach and enjoy them. The news will still be there, just as bad as yesterday. But the fish will be happy to have you there.

Tight lines,

Identification

Have you ever been asked, “What do you do?” The usual response is to revert to your occupation, the one that encroaches upon your precious fishing time. Upon retirement, you become what you used to do for a living, not who you truly are. In reality, most people spend their time dwelling on the past rather than embracing the present, and forget about the future!

Your identity shouldn’t be defined by your work experience. Even if you still need an income stream, escaping the work world can be a gateway to discovering your true passions. Work is merely a part of life, not the entirety of it. Consider this: do you genuinely want to be known as a wage slave to a corporation or become that free thinker who can develop agency beyond work?

First and foremost, if you’re reading this, you’re a fly fisher and a conservationist. As a TU member, there are numerous opportunities to enhance your skills, contribute to stream rehabilitation efforts, educate others, mentor, and advocate for conservation. Hiding in the corners of meetings and criticizing group leaders is counterproductive. Instead, stay home, watch YouTube videos, and dream of the fantastic trips you’ll never take. Remember, TU is not a fishing club; it’s a conservation organization.

So, let’s start the new year on the right foot. Forget the typical answer to “What do you do?” and become an advocate for wild rivers, wild fish, and public lands.

Happy New Year to all!