We received this great little piece from Neil Durkee in the US. It goes to show that the friendships forged on the water can often run deeper and longer than we might sometimes imagine.
I’ve been fly fishing for more than a while, and in many places in the world, and in my octogenarian days I’m still as cranked up as ever about a passion that has had it share of surprises. None, however, quite as surprising as the phone call I received on the morning of February 2nd, 2012.
Even at my advanced stage of decomposition, I’m still busily engaged in my little consulting business, and when the phone rang I thought to myself…aha; another possible hook up and possible new client.
“Hello”, said the voice on the other end, this is Chad from American Rainbow Lodge in Alaska and I’m calling to tell you that a very dear friend of yours has invited you to join him for a week's fishing for the giant rainbows during the last week in September of this year”. “And, not only this year, but for the rest of your life.” Surely, you can imagine my reaction. Oh, sure, sure…who is this? Is this some kind of joke? “No, no this is for real and your friend asks that you call him to let him know that you’ll be coming”
This, from a former client of mine with whom I had developed a deep and lasting friendship and who, as my guest in the past, I’d had the pleasure of introducing the sport of fly fishing to…some twenty plus years ago. During those halcyon days we’d fished ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and flats and hoisted more than our share of cold, cold brews.
I made the call and lo and behold not only was it a surprise and true, but also, I’m to be his guest and fishing partner now and for the rest of my fishing days. This is a man who at one point thought his fishing days were over due to some serious health problems. However, during the past several years he has managed to regain his health and is now back fishing once again and I’ll be danged if I’m not going with him. Fish spawn; fly fishing spawns as well.
