Thanks Chum

A week ago I was struggling to think of what to say and now its like everywhere I go, I think and feel new things. I have shed a some skin and it feels good. More than ever, I am growing confidence in my ability and what I can achieve. This blog seems to have freed some space in my head, as well as sparked some growth. Today, I went out on my first day of fly fishing. I am in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Yesterday, I was reunited with a good and long known friend of mine. He is a fly fishing guide here and his blog is in my links. So if you choose to read, fish-on. It was good to see him and he showed me the ways of the river today. I was lucky to have someone as knowledgeable about the whole scene to show me the ropes. 

Matthew, my friend, has been a long time chum of mine. We have seen each other grow through various parts of our lives. From the early teen years of identity searching, to the young men we are becoming. Not always the best and closest of friends, but consistent in keeping up with each other regularly. Similar, yet different paths. 

Today we drove down river to put in. We went about a mile or so up river to fish. We had a good time. It was a learning process for me. From learning how to cast, to refreshing my brain on tying knots for lures or flies. I guess it was about half an hour in before I caught my first rainbow trout of the day. Matthew pulled it off my line of course. My first attempt at trying to manage my own deal was a humbling experience to say the least. Lets just say, that he was laughing hysterically as my own line bit me in the hand. I got the casting thing down pretty quick. I caught a few fish within the next hour. My pride and joy of the day was a brown trout that was about 22 inches. You can check out a photo of me looking goofy and uneasy as I lost my virginity to this big fish. Just click on my pictures link up at the top right corner.

We ate lunch after I put the mammoth back in the water. PB & J, such a great sandwich when you haven't had it in a while. Matt's mother is a great host and packed us lunch on the river. I had a snickerdoodle cookie for the first time in about 6 years and oh my! Delicious! I forgot what I was missing. As the day moved on, we went up river and drift fished for a while. I was terrible at fly fishing in still water. We ended up back at our same spot at the end of the day. I got out in the water in my waiters it was an interesting experience. I felt like a real fisherman. That is when my line bit me. I was being the independent I don't need help JT. So again I took the long way home and learned the hard way. 

When we got back to the marina, Matt asked me to hold the rope and boat. The boat started to drift out and I tried to step out and it got DEEP. The water climbed chest high about to submerge my dry body in my waiters. I grabbed the boat with my feet dangling in the water. Matt was laughing so hard as he climbed to the front and pulled me up by my back straps on to the boat. It was another humbling experience considering it was in front of about half a dozen onlookers, natives. I looked like the amateur I am. We loaded the boat up and put on some old fashion Widespread Panic on as we drove back to the cabin for dinner. Kind of reminded me of when we first became friends going to see the band. I forgot how much I enjoyed them and how many great moments of my teen years are associated with their music. We stopped at a lookout to watch a forrest fire in the valley burn it was a cool sight and one I have never experienced. 

All in all, the day was a huge success. It was good to get away from the typical Memphis life. Laid back and easy on the river. We sat down to eat a home cooked meal which was delicious. Before we indulged, we bowed our heads and I thanked God for reuniting two childhood friends in the manner that he did.