I'm getting organized - really, and my greatest day of fishing.

I've been getting at this blog as I think about it, and I realize that I should probably try to do this in a more organized way. SO, to get myself organized, I'm putting myself on a deadline. Every Sunday evening I will write something for WFN and my fellow anglers. I know, New Year's Eve resolutions and all that, but, since we're at the time of the Lunar New Year, what better time to do this? I just hope this resolution has a longer life than most of mine.
Sunday, February 6th, 2011 - What the dorsal fin am I going to write about? Ah, yes, the TASKS. At last count, there are 20 Ambassador tasks to do, and I haven't done one yet. Time to catch up.
Let's see... Task 1 - Your greatest day of fishing. That's easy, Every day is my greatest day of fishing. Oh sure, I've had days when the fish went on vacation and didn't leave a forwarding address, and days when I could have thrown a line without a hook and landed a fish. But, for me, the fact that I am out fishing at all is the thing. some history...
I was well on my way to a heart attack caused by too much stress at the job. It was getting so bad that my boss actually called me in to talk, as he was afraid I was going to drop at my desk. I didn't know what to do, as all I knew was work. I'd tried to settle myself down but it just wasn't happening. If I was away, I still had work on the brain. All I was doing was going over what Monday would probably bring.
At this point, a friend invited me to go to a fishing club meeting. Not just any fishing club, but a Fly Fishing club. I had seen someone fly fishing on thje West Coast about 20 years before, but never considered that I could do anything like that. Never the less I agreed to go and see what it was all about. The guys and gals in the club were more than happy to talk to me, and answered any questions I had. I even had offers of equipment to borrow when they went out on their next "fishout". I figured I'd give it a try  off we went.
Casting a fly was surprisingly simple, and, after a few tries, I was able to get the fly out more than 10 feet in front of me. Suddenly, I was thinking about technique, about how the fly acted in the water, about taking time with the retrieve, about waiting! I started to see where I was, how the breeze was bending the line and brushing against the trees. I noticed for the first time, how the clouds would cast a shadow on the water and how I couldn't see my fly in it. My shoulders didn't feel so heavy. If I was stooped over, it was to work my line, not because I feared Monday. I felt so Calm! The expression "The Peace of Fishing" is the only way I could describe it. I had found the medicine I so dearly needed to heal me. I'm reminded every time I go fishing why I love it so. It saved my life. Every day is my greatest day of fishing.
Thanks for that invite Dwayne.
Tight Lines