I wrote and sent this to the lists a couple of years ago, but tho't
it might deserve re-visiting, since so many of you are in pressure
packed jobs. I titled it "THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE LONG ROD"
Just before I retired from 36 years as a professional Boy Scout Exec,
my average "resting" blood pressure was 150 / 95. I was always
rushing, rushing from one crisis to another and very seldom got the
chance to relax. However, when I retired in April of 2000, I still
felt myself rushing. It was hard to slow down, but a few days later
while fishing my favorite trout stream, the Little Rayado, on Philmont
Scout Ranch, near Cimarron, NM, I suddenly realized that I didn't have
to hurry anymore. Not being in a hurry took a little getting used to,
but in the process, my "resting" blood pressure dropped to 125 / 78.
I don't hurry anymore ! Things that I don't get done today can wait
until tomorrow or the next day if I wind up going fishing tomorrow.
I know that most of you are still gainfully employed, and you have
certain deadlines to meet, but there's a lesson in what I wrote above
and any of us can apply it to our daily lives. There are times when
we MUST slow down, smell the roses, and above all keep the "Long Rod"
handy, for like my wife Jody says. "Fly Fishing sooths One's soul."
It's kinda like Sparse Grey Hackle put it. " If your fishing
interferes with your business, sell your business . . . the trout do
not rise in Greenwood Cemetery." Now, I wouldn't go that far, but
some avid fly fishers have done just that.
Best,
JIMMY D
--
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Jimmy D. Moore - Scout Exec. BSA (Ret.), TOWA, TF&G Contributor, GRTU Past VP.
Past Pres. McGregor Rotary. Freelance Outdoor writer, humorist, half-assed Texan
and collector of classic bamboo fly rods and classic golf clubs
Author - "MOON HOLLER MISFITS Fishing & Hunting Club", ©
JIMMY D's Fly Fishing Website:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rayado/rayadoflyfishingflypatternstips/index.html
RAYADO CLASSIC GOLF: Classic Golf Clubs for the discerning collector
http://home.earthlink.net/~rayado/
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"Being able to read trout streams is just as valuable to a fly fisherman as the
ability to read a defense is to an NFL Quarterback."
Jimmy D. Moore - © [2004]
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