Early in my fly fishing journey, I was fortunate to spend some time in the company of a legendary Yorkshire fly fisherman.

Sensing my initial frustration, he offered this calming and seemingly meaningless statement.

 

“Thiz mooer tu flaaa fishin than just catchin fish!”

 

His general demeanour suggested that if I were to demand a full refund, I would be subject to ‘a good hiding’ so I kept quiet and pressed on.

 

These days, I get it. Catching fish alone means little unless you acknowledge and appreciate where you are and what’s happening around you.

 

Today as I sat quietly watching Grayling taking flies from the surface, I spotted a Golden Ringed Dragonfly laying eggs.

I might paraphrase on the video, but the sentiment remains the same.

Even the smell of a rotting sheeps carcass and the sound of the farmers son riding his trial bike couldn’t spoil the moment.