Fly Fishing Under the Big Sky

I recently returned from my third annual trip to western Montana for a week of fly fishing under blue skies and mountains.  Being a relative newcomer to this sport, the first couple trips out West were great learning experiences for me.  Fishing at least eight hours each day for a week straight caused me to pick up some good habits and fed my addiction to become an all around good fly fisher.  These extended trips also allowed me to absorb as much fishing knowledge as I could possibly retain since I was spending lengthy time on the water with very experienced partners. I think my casting, ability to read water, and overall knowledge of fly fishing improved tenfold on each trip to Montana.

My latest trip to Big Sky Country was the most rewarding so far because I was able to see how far I've come as a fly fisher over the past couple seasons.  I'm much more independent than I was two years ago, and I'm more confident in choosing my flies and my water.  I can now get my fly where it needs to go.

And I catch more trout.

Though there may be some big changes coming to my life over the next couple years, I hope to keep fly fishing as one of my central pillars of happiness.  It fills a void that had begun to develop in my late-twenties when old hobbies and friendships started to wane.

In the end, I fly fish for the challenges it presents.

I fly fish for the beauty that surrounds it.

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I fly fish for the unending learning that comes with the sport.

I fly fish for the friendships it creates.

I fly fish for the connection to nature it encourages.

I fly fish for the way it silences everything but the rushing water and the line through the air.

 

 I fly fish because it makes me happy and content.