Saturday, November 14, 2009

Where The River Runs

Last weekend, when we were in Pennsylvania, we found ourselves on the banks of the Neshannock River. We were supposed to be shopping, but instead, our friends walked the streets of the small village, and we stayed on the bank of the river and watched the fly fisherman do their thing. We didn't even talk about it, both of us just gravitated towards that water.


I think we needed to breathe. We've been soooo busy.


It was beautiful. The reflections of the trees in the river. The rocks. Beautiful rocks. The river, looking oh so peaceful, but running at a pretty pace. Is it any wonder ThatManILove loves fly fishing?

We have to get away, and go do this one thing. Go fly fishing.


Last time we went, ThatManILove set me up with all the gear, the waders, everything. We were in Denver. In June of a now way-past year. In June, in Colorado, people, the water is cold! But still, we went. And ThatManILove confesses now that he thought I might stay in the water an hour. I stayed in until dark, him patiently teaching me how to cast my line. Him, tying on yet another fly.


I fell in love with it. It, meaning all. The river. The fly fishing. The experience.


And we’ve not been back. Not once. The closest we’ve been happened last weekend. We live in the desert...have to travel to get to water. And lakes are closer than rivers.


But after last weekend, I’ve been thinking a lot about the peace on that Neshannock River, and that quiet place ThatManILove needs from time to time. Creative souls do, ya know. They need to regroup and get their creative mojo back. They need quiet.


I think I’ll surprise him. Set up a trip just for fly fishing, and nothing else. No visits. No business.


Just fly fishing.


And if he wants to fly fish alone, I'll just go down to the river from time to time, be quiet and take pictures. I'll love that. But more than that, I'll love that he's doing what he loves...fly fishing.

12 comments:

Irish Gumbo said...

(calm)(serene)

"...I'll love that he's doing what he loves..."

I'd say that TMIL is a very blessed and fortunate man.

Good morning!

Debbie said...

I agree with Irish Gumbo, and I think one of the healthiest things to do for another is to meet their needs regardless of your own!! enjoy!

Joanie said...

Yup! What Irish said! He's a lucky guy!

Linda said...

Sounds like an excellent idea!

Don G said...

Peace is not benign, it is filled with power as it is the natural state of the divine. We should seek it out and submit to it as it is offered to us by Father.

Snooty Primadona said...

If you want to take him fly fishing in a really special place, you need to take him to Aspen, to fish on the Roaring Fork and The Frying Pan rivers. The Grottos, above Aspen, has the most amazing fly fishing ever. It will change your life, I swear!

Chatelaine said...

That sounds nice. I think I would have gravitated toward the water too. I miss the boat.

Everyday Goddess said...

So beautiful!
Rivers are amazing places.

SSP said...

breathe in, breathe out...i think flowing water forces that, don't you think?? and i bet if you take him on a trip, you will be in the water til dark as well :-)

Wolfy said...

Janie - very nice post, and a great idea for TMIL. if you want any input on where to go, and at what time, let me know - I've flyfished all over the country for the past 25 years.

I always find myself doing what you did, gravitating to a river / stream. I guess I'd rather watch someone fish than not have any fishing interaction at all. The Neshannock is a pretty nice stream, too.

Wolfy

i beati said...

a communal place for sure

Staci said...

I so want to give fly fishing a whirl, I love to fish - but haven't tried that yet. TMIL is a lucky guy. For more reasons than fishing, I imagine!