#thankful

What are you thankful for?

Sitting around the Thanksgiving table, surrounded by family and the renowned kitchen stylings of my sainted mother, a cold Lagunitas Brown Shugga in hand and turkey coma well on its way, one could think of a bevy of reasons to feel truly blessed this time of year. Family, friends, football, and the fall migration of steelhead and giant Great Lake run brown trout all fit the bill. But a certain someone in our company wasn’t content with simply eating delicious turkey chow and casually chatting about current events.

In the midst of sating ourselves on roasted fowl and adult beverage, my mother decided to push the envelope….Stir the pot…. Shake things up… You know, shake and bake? Alright, that was a stretch…. especially considering all she did was start the standard “what are you most thankful for?” Thanksgiving table conversation. But stick with me here.

After prompting each guest or family member to share something they were personally grateful for (quality employment, good health, togetherness, and my mom’s famous oyster casserole were a few memorable mentions) there were only a few peeps left before it was my turn to spit some truth.

What the hell would I say?

You know, between the absurd level of on-water shenanigans and near death experiences, it’s been kind of a crazy year, but also one to be truly thankful for. So naturally, I didn’t want to just say something for the sake of saying it. There have just been too many moments worthy of thanks this year. Some were beautiful, others ugly, and some that were truly moments of reckoning.  I couldn’t play it safe here. I couldn’t cop out.

It goes without saying that I’m grateful for the three Fs in my life. Family, friends, and fly fishing are all wonderful things.  So you may be asking, well, what are you thankful for, Rem? One word: Perspective.

Now it may sound dumb or vague….or even worse—like I’m trying to get deep on y’all—but the ability to cut through the bullshit and not be fooled by the powerbait of life is a blessing in onto itself. It wasn’t easy getting here. It took a few cold doses of Sweetwater to learn that floating the mainstream isn’t always the best idea.  But people, similar to fish, are often doomed by the flashy things in their lives. Everyone falls for them from time to time. It’s human nature. But similar to the happenings in the surf and steam –it’s no coincidence that most cultures around the world share a relatively similar angling tradition that respects or even reveres big fish most. When you get down to brass tax, there is good reason for this—especially as more and more anglers these days have begun to embrace catch and release.

Big fish are those individuals who consistently avoid the temptations around them. They routinely find ways to avoid that fatal mistake. They overcome adversity with ease to throw the hook, wrap you around something sinister, or simply—whoop your ass—and leave you shaking at the knees. They are masters of survival. So much so that when these monsters are ultimately stuck in the face with one of life’s barbs – more often than not, they find themselves released out of respect.

The lessons we can learn from something as simple as fishing are limitless and in every instance (no matter how painful the learning process is/was), refreshing.

So let’s see what I’ve learned in the past year…..

I learned that to become a better fisherman, you must either fish water that challenges you or fish with someone who is truly better than you—for these are the tests of an angler’s true skill (the ability to overcome and the ability to learn/ignore your foolish pride, open your mind, and you know, try something different, man)….

I learned that fish hate cameras…. But that Hawg Johnson never takes a day off…so always bring a camera….just don’t call your shots…..

 I learned that dry flies aren’t something you can actually be allergic to—but something that is highly, highly addictive….

I learned that 6 and 7x are way stronger than you’d think….but at the same time, not nearly as strong as you’d think….

I learned that tire treading is very, very essential for driving in the rain….

I learned that one cast can change the outlook on your entire day, week, month, year, or life…..

I learned to not fuck with beavers….they hate you….

I learned that there are bull sharks in the Potomac…..

I learned that even “garbage flies” get bit……

I learned that the fish are just part of the equation…..for the things you see on the water and in nature can change even the most verdant couch potato….

I learned that Bald Eagles are way better aerial fighters than Ospreys….

I learned that days on the water are more important than nights at the bar….

I learned that Snakeheads are curious, intelligent, and spiteful assholes….not fish…..

I learned that lyme disease does not come from limes…but ticks….

I learned that Four Mile Run will ruin your waders… pick your shots….

I learned that the fish you miss or lose are weirdly the ones you remember most….

I learned that paradise isn’t shit unless you have someone to share it with…..

I learned that a four fly rig is nothing but non-essential, self-imposed trouble…..although it’s a cool premise….similar to those first airplanes with 100 wings…..

I learned that just because a fly looks good on the vice it doesn’t mean it will look good in the water…..

I learned that there is nothing stopping you from fishing but the absence of time…..make time for fishing….

I learned that those you trust and love (and love you back) are the only people who matter in life – for they are the only ones who care enough to look at your fish porn, listen to your nonsensical ramblings about tippet and marabou, and welcome you home with a hug despite the body odor, scraggily facial hair, and fish slime….

Thank god for turkey, blondes from Boston, and the lessons learned.

 Let’s do it all over again next year!

Stay fly. 

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