Fly Fishing Vacation and a Lesson in Patience

Fly fishing in Colorado was such a great trip with Dad. It’s a trip we’ll never forget and we learned so much.

Fly Fishing in Colorado

Hello from Colorado. Actually, from a non-flooded section of the state, in Edwards. Our thoughts have been with all the folks in the flooded communities to our East and the rain today seemed to add to more stress on the area. On this part of the Rockies, the rain this afternoon didn’t make for the best fishing conditions, but we still had a blast. Besides, the last thing we were going to complain about was a little rain and wet rain gear.

A few months ago we wanted to take one of our Dad’s (Todd’s papa in Oregon) on a fly fishing trip to Colorado. It’s one of those vacations that was much needed and we were looking forward to it immensely. It was time to get together with Dad and catch up on so many things. We didn’t get a chance to see him in five years and we were long overdue to made a face-to-face vacation happen. Time gets away from us and before we knew it, we realized all the phone calls and emails could never make up for lost face-to-face time. None of us really realized how long it had been until we actually looked back at past photographs to remind us that five years was way too long.

So, we all met up in Denver and headed East to an Orvis Fly Fishing School in beautiful Edwards, Colorado. Fly fishing had been on the top of our bucket list for years. The movie, A River Runs Through It, certainly had something to do with the romance of being in the great outdoors, out on the river and surrounding ourselves in the Zen and beauty of natures fly fishing glory. Great movies are powerful and inspiring. And here we are, in Edwards with fly poles in hand. Thanks Brad Pitt!

If you’ve ever been fly fishing, we’ll all have to agree that this sport is not just about fish. But rather, a lesson in patience. Amidst all the lessons in casting, fly rods, knots, learning how to read a river, and how to best catch and release for least stress on the fish; the best part of the school was being one-on-one with the water and yourself. Challenging yourself to focus, take your time and be patient with each cast, fly line and mend.

Fly fishing is definitely a lesson in patience: to wait, listen and connect with nature. And not just waiting on fish to bite, either. But using patience in the casting motion and in our own shortcomings (and in our short, floppy casts). However, that feeling after a good cast is wonderful. Such a rhythmic beauty; graceful, fluid movements and with a finishing snap, flicking a nearly weightless line yards out ahead. It was everything we had hoped to learn and understand. Though it was only a two day class, the lessons instilled in us a desire to continue learning more about the sport and reminding ourselves to connect more with ourselves and what we love to do.

-diane and todd

Here’s some moments from our fun fly fishing vacation:

We spent a day learning in the classroom and  practicing casting in the pond.

Beginning fly tying: learning to tie flysOur guides and instructors: Kip and Jay

Jay teaching a student about leaders and guess what: more fly tying!

Hi Mom!

We made it to the river lesson and learned how to gear up our lines

so much gear!Todd and Dad learning together with Kip

A very wet day on the river: The Seven Fly Fishing Boys (The Fly Fishing Girl chose to hide behind the camera-Waders aren’t too sexy)!

Jay goes over a few more things before we all get really, really wet

Todd working on his casting….

…and more casting….

the scenery was breathtaking

Hi Dad!

even on the rainy day, Edwards Colorado is beautiful

Todd and the first catch of the day

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