And all-consuming is what it is. When I lived out West, I took for granted the ability to walk out my door and fish perfect waters year-round. So that’s what I would do: fish all the time. Now, I find myself watching fish-porn, reading fishing memoirs and tying flys. These are things I have never done, but they get me into fishing without actually fishing. This is the type of behavior that comes with any outdoor activity or sport when you either 1) get old or 2) change your lifestyle, or 3) both.
The silver lining of this predicament is it gives you more time to concentrate on the craft and not the relentless action. Tying flies, tuning bikes, waxing skis, studying maps and route finding; these are all valuable skills that will enhance your knowledge over time. I’m beginning to think this is why all the old-timers have so much wisdom: they did a lot, but they also sat around and thought about it a lot when they couldn’t do it everyday like they used to – HEY! still talking about outdoor recreation here, bub, so get your head out of the gutter.
Anyway, I’ll get out there and fish those wily trout soon, but in the mean time I’ll be wisdom-building at my desk with a vice and a computer. It’s not what you think.
