Sunday, August 02, 2009

Part of the Picture


Fly-fishing’s allure draws us from a myriad of directions. From the exhilaration one demonstrates upon landing their first fish, to the emptiness that's remains after the fish of a life time eludes the net, to the visual beauty in the surrounding landscapes where we pursue our obsessions. Amongst those who cast wisps of fur and feather there are many similarities in what we find appealing, yet the sport is such that it allows us to mold it to ones personal needs.

Over time, I’ve been fortunate to fish many of the world’s fisheries. In doing so, I’ve come to appreciate the array of physical and emotional experiences that are generated when fishing with a fly. Looking back to my early beginnings my ventures where more singular in focus. Now there are a variety of reasons that create the urge to cast a fly. In the grand scheme of things, the beauty in the sport is how it caters to each at so many different levels rendering a profusion of life experiences.


Waiting for the evening rise....


Hoping for one more...

Over the years I’ve always enjoyed trying to capture the beauty in fly-fishing through the lens of a camera. Although not a photographer, the rewards and challenges of preserving images have become as satisfying as the moment when a fish takes a fly. On a recent trip I spent as much time filming my days on the water as I did fishing. Reflecting back on a life of fishing with a fly rod I remember few if any such ventures that were as visually stimulating. It was a rare moment when one could focus on the task at hand without being distracted by the dynamic weather and visual spectacles that Mother Nature continually displayed. Although the fishing was quite good, it became only a piece of that which was impressionable.


One that Got Away......


One that didn't.....


Ducking for cover....

In a thousand words, I couldn’t describe that which daily unfolds when fly-fishing. Yet lost in such images as these are Mother’s Natures music; the sound of Sandhill Cranes off in the distance, the wind as it rustles a pine, rain as it lands upon water, the cry of a Redtail hawk, or lightning that sends you to your knees knowing such a posture still leaves you exposed. Yet they suffice to elude a mood leaving one to reflect on the beauty we are confronted with when we venture out to cast a fly upon waters that leave us with images, begging us to return.

6 comments:

Travis said...

Love this one Schmidty! The pics from the HF are amazing.

Steve Schmidt said...

I didn't contribute near as much as Mother Nature did in creating such great panoramas. I'm headed back up this week for probably the years last visit to the fork. After this past visit, it's all a bonus regardless of the fishing. However, there's a rumor the ants are around.......Yo!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Love the post Steve, filled with truth. Have a blast up there!

Travis said...

Oh you lucky dog! I'm going to be up there near the end of the month....but maybe a quick trip is in order! Have a great trip!

Nathan Ira said...

Great post and photos! I'm with you, I love capturing some of the memorable moments on the water.