PDA

View Full Version : Thank you UOTF


S&P
12-23-2005, 06:00 PM
I drove up the familiar canyon road and parked my car. Getting out, I placed a small plastic box in my shirt pocket that contained a few panther martin and blue fox spinners and grabbed the spinning rod out of my trunk.

Walking down to the river bank I sorted out the random thoughts in my head. My heart was heavy from my recent divorce and money problems. I started casting a small gold spinner and retrieving it in the stream. Why do I keep coming to this stream? There are ponds and lakes that I always seem to catch more fish at. No, I'm here because the sound of the water soothes my soul. Looking up stream I see a guy fly fishing. He is standing knee deep in the stream throwing beautiful loops and concentrating completely on his drifts. "Always wanted to try that" I think to myself. Hell, whats stopping me?

I enter the hunting/fishing super store and wander back toward the fly fishing department. I'm nervous and I haven't done my homework. "Do you have any fly poles that cost less than a hundred dollars with the reel?" I ask. The middle age gentleman looks up and asseses me. "Come on over here."

I get home and take my new treasure to my room. Crystal River 5 weight, Okuma Sierra reel. 'How To Fly Fish' by so and so.

It's pretty cold and my new canvas boot foot waders aren't keeping me warm. "What the hell am I doing?" I say out loud. Havent caught a fish on this thing yet and I've been out trudging around half a dozen times flogging the water. Back to the research and developement department.

Bored stiff at work I type 'Flyfishing Utah' in the google search screen. Several sites come up. I click on one. "Fly Fishing Utah-Utah On The Fly".
I start lurking around the site. I find the search feature and continue lurking. "Man, there's alot of good stuff on here"

Well, gentlemen, It's been over 3 years now and I am a lurker no-more. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for teaching me so many important things. Fly fishing has filled a void in my life. When I step into a stream, my troubles are carried away by the icy flow. When people used to ask me who taught me to fly fish I would say proudly "I taught myself". Now I tell them I learned from a great bunch of guys on the internet and from some good books and videos. That and alot of time on the water forgetting about the rest of the world. Again, thank you UOTF.

UtahFlyGuy
12-23-2005, 06:06 PM
Great story, I'm glad you didnt stray to the "Dark Side". Hats off to Mike and Jason to a great site and a great bunch of people that I have meet thru this site.

Crawdad'n
12-23-2005, 06:20 PM
Keep the drive alive brother!

chanceb
12-23-2005, 06:33 PM
My heart was heavy from my recent divorce. I'm going through one now and fly fishing is great therapy. Of course, my soon to be ex-wife claims my fly fishing was a factor in her divorcing me so maybe it's been a curse for me as much as a blessing? Anyway, great story!

«°Ñøvã°»
12-23-2005, 07:44 PM
my troubles are carried away by the icy flow.
I like that a lot great analogy use it all the time

chris
12-23-2005, 08:34 PM
Chanceb S&P You will heal. Rest assured.

S&P
12-23-2005, 09:48 PM
I'm going through one now and fly fishing is great therapy. Of course, my soon to be ex-wife claims my fly fishing was a factor in her divorcing me so maybe it's been a curse for me as much as a blessing? Anyway, great story!

Chanceb, do yourself a favor brother and stay single as long as you can. Your fishing will improve greatly!

cardiac
12-23-2005, 11:25 PM
Chanceb and Scotty, when the times ready you'll both find a fly fishin' chick to hook up with. Then be prepared to spend twice as much. It's a blessing and a curse.
'specially when they say they outfish you.

S&P
12-24-2005, 12:00 AM
I'll take the one holding the salmon on the cover of the last Flyfishermen magazine.

Trout4x
12-24-2005, 05:43 AM
Thanks for sharing your story, hang in there I am sure the world has a few more Stef's available.


Trout4x

FlySmyth
12-24-2005, 04:09 PM
My story started much the same way. I didn't have this board and it bunch or great guys. You my friend are now on the assest side of this sport so contribute from time to time in and/or on your discoveries from on the water.

FlySmyth.

PS I am single still and if you want to go fishing write me.

flycookin
12-25-2005, 01:41 AM
You, rock!!!
I must agree this is a great web site. Only been apart for less than a week, but cant wait to look at the site every chance I get. Learnt so much already. The freeze your ..... off is still on for the 7th of January?. Any one out there want to teach a newbie a few tricks????. Great personal story, only wishing you the best!!
Best
Flycookin

AK flyboy
12-25-2005, 04:28 AM
I have to agree that flyfishing is thereputic for the soul. Last year when I was getting over a tough break-up with my girlfriend, I would spend days at the local streams.

There is something magical and time stands still as you are in the river casting. Each cast holds the chance that you will catch the next fish. Sometimes people aske me what I think about as I fish... I don't really think about other things, I am so focused on the here and now. I think that is one of the reasons that it is such a powerfull tool for the soul.

AK