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Right Place, Right Time, Right Mind
How many people do you know have caught a steelhead while frustrated, angry, or not present? This Month let's talk about attitude on the river rather than technical gear! I often find myself talking with guests about being present and taking in ALL of nature but the fishing experience more specifically.
Before you step in the water remember to take a deep breath, think about the good at this very moment, and be thankful. To be in such a beautiful setting, for some, a place of worship is infectious and can overcome one with un-containing feelings. At the same time, when you have lost your cast, your cell phone buzzes about work in your waders, or your at home life starts to creep in; you find yourself feeling stuck. If this happens to you take a step back and remember why you are here in the first place. For some, is it to catch fish? Or is it to fine-tune your skills? Or better yet is it a new experience and connection with not only nature, the herons, the otters, the steelhead, the guide, but yourself.....
Rounding a river bend is like rounding a bend in life, anxious to see what we will be next but a bit timid of the unknown. The river leads us to a new perspective, a new presence, a new attitude. When you are swinging for steelhead your buddy might find the fish of their life that day, I can't tell you how often I have heard right time and the right place, but what about the right mindset? Present, calm, open, and focused. When everything aligns whether you are in tune with it or not, that is when a steelhead chooses to grab your fly. So the next time you step out into the water remember am I in my right mindset to be exactly here at this moment?
“Walking in the river today, I see the river shining brilliantly with a deep golden light reflected through the fog off the river and trees from the early morning sunrise. I take a deep breath and am thankful for the day at the river. The water hits my boots, I continue walking looking upriver, and cleanse myself with the beautiful surroundings. I then detach my fly and let out a couple of leader casts, and soon before I know it I am fishing. I feel the load and the bend in my rod as I shoot line out hoping to have a wishful encounter with the river phantom.” (Kait)
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