Carried Away

As I stepped onto the porch of the Grey Drake, I took a second to listen to Hesse Creek as it runs over the riffle just upstream of the shop. The familiar sound of running water is where I am at my essence. A river is a majestic place, and one that I don’t often take for granted. It flows regardless of my presence. Always flowing down hill, the water makes its way from its origin to the next destination of chance, be it another smaller stream or a larger body of water. It flows around the objects that it can’t penetrate and carries with it all that will float in its presence. Fish live in those moving waters of rivers, trout in particular. I have been fortunate to have found a way to earn a living helping guests find their way in catching these fish and hopefully along the way sharing a fascination and appreciation for a river. But on this day, on the front porch there was a realization. What a great country we are fortunate enough to live in were one can make the decision (wise or not) to attempt to make a living sharing the wonderment of rivers and fish. I could not help but think of the sacrifices that have been made throughout our countries great history to afford me the opportunity to wake every morning with the freedom to pursue and share my passion. This freedom is not free or easily won.

The day before had been an ominous day on Hesse creek, but one that will last in my memory as one of the brightest of days. This late September afternoon, Blackberry Farm was hosting a group of veterans, from the local chapter of Project Healing Waters, who had served their country in different capacities and times from Vietnam through Afghanistan. Project Healing Waters uses fly fishing as a form of recreational therapy for wounded and disabled veterans. This day we are sharing Hesse Creek with the very men and women who have served our country and helped to preserve the freedom that we have to enjoy the pursuit of fish. Fly fishing was on the agenda for the day. It is a day to simply pursue fish. No other worries. Despite the almost constant drizzle, many fish were caught, many by anglers who have never before fly fished. It was a day of learning, fishing, laughing, but more importantly healing.

Fly fishing is a great form of therapy for all veterans as well as civilians. It is as much therapeutic for the physical components and benefit, as it is for the issues that one deals with between their ears. It is an activity where one can step into the river and simply get outside of themselves. As the river flows down hill, it has an amazing ability to carry with it all of the cares that we are willing to lay upon it. One of the more common discussions I have with guests is how easy it is to forget about time and everyday worries when standing in a stream waving a long flexible fly rod at finicky little fish. It is a great sport for many reasons but for many I am sure it is this property to escape and relax that keeps many anglers. It is also this escape that makes it such a great therapy for veterans.

Many new friends were made on the stream that day. The rain fell as well as the leaves. The stream rose over so slightly and the fish cooperated. Many memories were made and hopefully a few were forgotten, if even for the brief time spent on the water.

Fall is a great time to be on the water. Take time to enjoy it, even if for the first time. The water always flows down hill and trout face into it. That is one of the few constants in the sport. Always flowing with gravity it is happy to carry with it whatever worries we are willing to lay upon it.

Small fish and big memories…
Alex Quick