"Commitment"

Commitment.

David and I had already fished the Snake River nine of the last ten days. It was an 11 ½ hour drive to South Fork, CO, to fish with my friends the week before. I was more than 25 years older than David. I was exhausted. “I guess I will have to figure out where I am going to fish,” said David. There was a moment of silence.

David, you see, has taught me a great deal about fly fishing. He has fished around the world, including New Zealand and Europe. We can fish together only a couple of times a year. He has come to Wyoming during the summer for the last 12-13 years to fish while I am here. “Let me get another cup of coffee, and we will go to the park”, I said taking the first of many deep breaths for the day. The park is Grand Teton National Park. I have a Senior Lifetime pass - just as a sidebar, it’s great deal for $80.

What is significant is that I planned on going; I was just tired. It was crystal clear what I had to do - go fishing with my friend. The reason was that we had made plans, and my change of heart would cause David some financial hardship if I didn’t go.  Commitment. My friend Talmadge says, “Do what you say you are going to do!” So, I did. There are unpredictable times when things come up, and you cannot complete the task. Understandable. Many times, it is an inconvenient, but necessary choice.

The coffee was just the right elixir on that beautiful July morning in Wyoming. We headed north in the truck, which 4-wheel drive required on the road to Bar-B-C. The Bar-B-C was a dude ranch dating back to 1912. Many of the ranch buildings remain along the Snake River. There is about a 10-mile stretch we occasionally fish while on our summer pilgrimage. There is a particular area where we see many really big fish, though we have found them elusive. In fact, I had never even been able to get them to bite. David is another story. He is the best angler I know. I admit that mine is not a large crowd, but he certainly has skills.

The type of fishing we are doing is really stalking the fish, sight fishing. First, you must know where to look for the fish. Check. Then you position yourself to cast from far enough away the fish cannot see you. This can be as much as 30 yards. Check. The fly must land upstream from the fish, and then float down to the fish. It must look natural. There cannot be any unusual splashes that might startle the fish. The fly must be something the fish is seeing daily. Check.

My position is above the river up a 25-foot-high bank. David is in the side channel, not the main Snake River. The thread of the river we are fishing is 30 feet wide. It is no more than 18 inches deep.

Finally, the cast. Wow, what a cast! Looks perfect…drifting toward the fish. Bam!! The fish eats the fly. David sets the barbless hook. Fish on!!

He lands the fish, no small task. “That’s my PR (personal record) for Wyoming” David has landed a 21-inch Colorado cutthroat trout. Wow!

We continued to fish and caught a lot of beautiful fish. It was an epic day on the water. We both caught so many big fish.

“Thank you! That would not have happened if you wouldn’t have come. I would have fished somewhere else”, said my friend. I replied, “Thank you for teaching me about commitment.”

I could not have been happier for my friend, as he continues to teach me.

Enjoy the day…R2

This is not a specific recommendation. Each individual needs to consult their financial advisor, for specific recommendations. Your financial advisor knows your situation, and risk tolerance. They are best suited to make individual recommendations for you.