Haiku are traditional Japanese poems. The verses must be 17 syllables long and be in 3 lines - 5,7,5 syllables in each. Chris Brass has written a fishing based Haiku that I am sure will resonate with you.
Dawn by the river,
daylight has barely arrived.
Mist dances gently.
I breathe the sweet air,
grass, dew and some late blossom.
Perfume from the fields.
By the water’s edge,
I sit calm, quiet and still.
Take in the moment.
I watch the water.
To fish now would be to rush.
I’ll learn much more here.
The peat stained water
is so fast in some places,
so slow in others.
I look for the signs;
creases, foam lines and eddys.
Here the trout will be.
I make my first step,
into the river I tread.
To share the water.
The pool before me –
familiar excitement
starts to rise inside.
Will a big trout take?
A silver grayling perhaps?
Anything will do.
The day’s first cast lands,
gently, but a little long.
No matter, there’s time.
Speaking of the time,
it’s not the same when you’re here.
It doesn’t matter.
The sun is up now,
Kissing the top of the trees.
Warm gold and green mix.
A quick second cast
lands perfectly in the crease.
Surely it’s the one?
Slowly the fly glides.
The anticipation builds.
The same every cast.
A movement deep down,
everything in slow motion.
I can barely breathe.
The mirrored surface,
is suddenly clear no more.
Broken by a splash.
He’s taken the fly,
He quickly bids for freedom.
Fish and I connect.
The rod hoops sweetly,
everything works as it should.
Soon he’s in the net.
I lift him gently.
I admire him contently.
And then set him free.
The day can only,
Grow more beautiful to me.
Now I’ve had just one.
A moment to pause.
Feel grateful for being here.
Steady my heartbeat.
Then look up again.
What else can this river give?
So much more than fish.