When it comes to fly fishing, this is the time of year where I get all mushy and reflect back on all the great things fly fishing has given me.
1) Relaxation. They call fly fishing the “Quiet Sport” and I fully believe that to be a true statement. Where else can you spend the day listening to the water and all your surroundings and not be relaxed? If you aren’t relaxed…. You’re doing it wrong ;-)
2) Friends: Some of the best folks I have met I have met through fly fishing. It is nothing to meet a complete stranger on the water and end up swapping stories and flies. Many times I have received the “hot fly” of the day from another fly fisherman I bumped into on the water.
3) My home fly club the “Southern Sierra Fly Fishers Club: The club is based out of Kernville Calif. Never a better group of people has been assembled in one place. Don’t believe me? Then check out our yearly Rendezvous in September. Every time I have been involved in raffling off a custom rod for a charity or run a rod donation these fine folks have stepped up and fully supported the effort. Usually above and beyond.
4) Custom Rod Building: If it wasn’t for fly fishing I never would have started building rods. And yes, building is my passion. Plus this addiction has given me a means to donate rods for various fund raisers. It also allows me to give back to our club by teaching rod building classes. I’ll never get rich building custom rods, but seeing the faces of the recipients as they get to see the rod for the first time is priceless.
What will next year hold for me? Hopefully many more rods for customers, raffles, and donations to charities. The SSFFC is holding another rod building class in Jan. and I am counting the days until I get to teach another brood of newbie builders. Then there is our Rendezvous Rod Swap in September. I have already started that build in my head. Oh ya…many more days on the water with close friends.
Oh, last but not least we will be will be unveiling "Renaissance Rods" tee shirts, on the site, for the new year. They have a small "Renaissance Rods" logo in blue and yellow on the front and a big logo on the back.
Until next time my friends, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Pete