Simon Sinek is one of my favorite people to learn from. He says this is one of his favorite stories; it is one of mine as well.
The lesson is powerful, easy to understand and a good reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.
Archives for December 2019
Be the last to speak
When Simon Sinek offers advice quite often I take it to heart.
This was something I learned from good leaders in the Navy during planning and after actions. It made sense then but over the years I have lost the skill. Time to get it back.
In 2020 my goal is to be a whole lot better about this than I have been in the past.
Feel free to remind me.
Source > 5 Little Words That Will Make You a Much Better Leader
Guide's Day Off – Skidmore Fork
The weather report said 60 degrees and clear and I didn’t have any pressing obligations, so I grabbed my gear and headed to Skidmore Fork to see if I could scare up a brookie or two.
Side note, I actually left my rods at home and only realized it when I was three quarter of the way to the water. My patient and understanding wife was kind enough to meet me half way and bring me my rods…
I hit the water about 12:30 p.m., starting at a hole not too far from the parking area. And sure enough there were a couple of fish ready to pound a nymph.
I had a couple of places on the stream I wanted to fish so I moved on, hitting likely pools as I went along. In some spots I was a bit surprised that I didn’t move any fish but I didn’t switch flies or tactics, being content with the occasional take. If fact, I managed to fish the same two flies and rig all day.
The first place I wanted to see was upstream aways so I jumped out and went up the fire road to see how good my memory was. It had been a couple years since I been to that spot.
Surprisingly, my first shot landed me 20 yards above where I wanted. But it was quick work to get there.
I managed to miss a nice fish in a small back eddy, that took a whack at the dry just as it landed. I fished up from there, with little action for the effort.
My final destination was just above the second ford. Years ago I had been fishing with a good friend. As I recall, it had been a bit frustrating of an outing. Rising fish but spooky. Pre tenkara, which made it worse.
As we were scouting the run, a nice fish rose in a tricky spot under some overhanging limbs. My friend fired a picture perfect cast, got a good drift and landed a the fish. It was one of those experiences that keeps you coming back.
I was thinking of that day, as it was my friend’s birthday the next day and I wanted a fish to commemorate the memory and his birthday.
Sometimes you get lucky…
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My 12 “go to” trout flies in 2019
During this post Christmas, pre-New Year lull I started working on reorganizing my fly boxes. It is a semi seasonal ritual that I undertake as my days on the water guiding start to reveal the flaws in my previous attempts.
As I contemplated the various organizational options, my mind wandered off and started thinking about the flies I used the most often. Before that fleeting recollection vanished, I wrote them down here.
- Parachute Madam X
- Parachute BWO
- Parachute Pheasant Tail
- Japanese Beetle
- Kreelex
- Golden Retriever
- Slump Buster
- Conehead Wooly Bugger
- Jig head Gold Ribbed Hares Ear Nymph
- Jig head Pheasant Tail Nymph
- CK Nymph
- Guides Choice Nymph
These are what I used in no particular order or frequency other than I grouped them, dries, streamers, and nymphs. The sizes, weight and colors varied depending on location and conditions. And there were other patterns that I used as location and conditions dictated a change from my “go tos.” But day in and day out, these were the patterns I turned to, because they consistently caught fish for my clients.
The tradition of the Lilydeer continues…
In 2014 my very clever wife made this very special Christmas gift.
The two small horns are Lily’s puppy teeth.
It graces our home as a reminder of the magic that is Christmas.
The simple things really are the best!
Here’s hoping this finds you safe, happy and in the company of those you love.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!