Teach a woman to fish and…
I don’t like doing things that I’m not naturally good at. Take golfing, for example. If I could figure out how to make my club come into contact with the ball each time I swing, I might like golf. However, since I swing and miss more than I swing and make contact, I generally hate golfing. Baseball and tennis are other such sports…Also French and cake baking.
Fly fishing, however, does not come easy for me, yet I really want to be good at it, so I keep trying. I think this may be the only task that I suck at and actually want to keep practicing. It is the exception to my rule. I keep hoping to catch a fish, to not tangle my line, to not catch trees, etc, but I’m not getting any better and my confidence keeps getting lower and lower. And then, this July, something great happened. My confidence was restored…
A couple of years ago when I was working in a coffee shop, I befriended an older gentleman, (Ken) who happened to own some property with a stocked fishing pond (or three) on it. He told me that his pond is a very private and special place. He lectured told me that he only allows disabled Veterans and small children fish in his ponds. He told me that several times over the course of a few months, making sure that I knew the purpose of his ponds.
I ran into Ken earlier this summer. I shared that I’d gone fishing and had been ‘skunked’ once again. I jokingly told Ken that since I was so bad at fishing that he should let me come fish his ponds, it’s not like I’d catch anything anyways. He smiled and said that he would make an exception ‘just for me’, and that I could, indeed, fish in his ponds. He guaranteed that I would catch multiple trout. I was shocked and excited! We set a date and he told me to bring my husband along, but that he was NOT allowed to fish…
It was a really fun experience. The day was overcast but hot, and it sprinkled rain a few times which felt refreshing. My husband patiently took photos of my confidence-building fishing experience.
My friend and host, showing us around his beautiful property.
One of the ponds…We didn’t fish in this one.
Getting all rigged-up. I look perplexed.
Husband lending a helping-hand…aka, untangling my line.
I got one! I got one! Now what!?
Oh the excitement!
My confidence is increasing exponentially!
It’s all about give and take…and not rushing…and gentle coercion.
Isn’t she a beaut’?
Teach a woman to fish and she’ll eat for life…Probably not really, though, since I’m still pretty horrible at it and I haven’t caught anything since.
XO, Tobi
That is a beautiful fish, a fun post, a patient husband, and a kind friend. Congratulations for all four!
Russ
Thanks Russ!
On my Life List! You make it look easy!
It is SO not easy! It can be quite frustrating at times, but the moment you set the hook…it’s all worth it, and it keeps me coming back.
I grew up with a spin rod but fly fishing is a whole other animal. I’ll get there! Looks like a great day!
It is different. I hope you get to learn soon
Great story, Tobi, you probably got your fishing abilities from me
It’s ALL your fault
How fun! Cograts on your one fish! That’s one more than I’ve managed to catch in my life!
Thanks! It was my second fish I’ve caught in about 6 years
I LOVE that story! How clever. Thank you for sharing it with me
nice one! As a woman I really really wanted to prove myself in fishing too, and after a few frustrating hours of waiting and hoping I had almost given up. But just then, a goldfish (almost the same size as yours) got caught in my hook..you can imagine the happiness and the sudden growth of self confidence
)..so I share your happiness. (oh, and the part when I caught it and didn’t know what to do with it then-very deja-vu). anyways, loved the post, greetings!:)
Thanks! And thanks for stopping by my blog
Hope to see you back!