Fisherman Walks on Water (8/23/10)

Fishing does funny things to those who choose to pursue it. Some of us are consumed by it. We think about it often, day dreaming about the time we have spent on the water, the fish we have caught and the ones we hope to catch. We spend excessively on it purchasing so much gear that our local fishing shops know us by name like Norm walking into Cheers. Sadness and depression is felt the day the fishing season closes and we practically dance with joy as the new season begins. It causes others to suddenly take up writing poetry like he or she is some long lost relative of Mark Twain.

The things we do to catch our target is nothing short of ridiculous to those who do not fish. Some of us will crawl on our hands and knees in an effort to present a dry fly to an eight inch brook trout without “spooking” it. Others will brave blizzard conditions and raging waters in the hopes of just one “hook-up” with a mighty steelhead.

Is the guy in the background walking on water?

We will fish by ourselves, with friends or shoulder to shoulder with strangers. Although we fisherman do not fish using the same methods or for the same species we are united. What unites us is the transcendence we experience while doing what we love and are truly passionate about. It is more than a feeling of being alive. It is a connection with God and Mother Nature. We transcend to a greater state of being and I have proof! This picture is of Average Joe Fisherman Scott (in the background) while fly fishing with me in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Is it me, or is he walking on water? =)

Ok, so he is not really walking on water, I know of only one fisherman to do that, but it is a pretty cool picture, you have to admit.