I’ve been on the road a lot this month for work and to see family. Specifically going to Las Vegas and Seattle, big cities with lots of people. These cities can be rather overwhelming for me and not my favorite, but traveling and seeing new things give me a wider perspective on the world. I appreciate travel for that, no matter where I go.
A realization that occurred to me while on the road is how lucky we are to live in the Rocky Mountains and have a passion for fly fishing.
As I spent time in the big cities, I felt immense gratitude for the expansive, open landscape we have here in the region. The fact that I can head out after work and be hiking a mountain or fishing a trout stream is truly incredible. On top of that, there are expansive blocks of national forest and public land with little to no development. Growing up in Idaho and Montana, I have taken these things for granted for so many years. Mountain living and the culture are the norm for me, and I am realizing how unique and special this lifestyle is as I see more of the world.
In addition to the region, I’ve come to realize the blessing it is to have a passion in life. As I meet new people and get to know them, I find many who do not have a passion and obsession like so many of us do in the Rocky Mountains. There is nothing wrong with that, as they have plenty of things they enjoy doing. But the activities people do for fun seem like ways to pass the time rather than fulfill a burning passion. To have something like fly fishing in our lives is such a blessing. It is a pursuit that continually challenges us and always has another aspect to learn. Fly fishing also takes us outside into nature, gets our bodies moving, and gives us a sense of how small we are in this world. Not everyone is so lucky as to have found their passion and drive in life.
Obviously, I have a bias and am in no way saying that my life or life in Montana is better than anyone’s or any place. I just want to share how grateful I am for the fisherman’s lifestyle here in the Rocky Mountains. It’s obviously not for everybody, but for those of us it speaks to, it’s something we should never take for granted. It’s truly special, and it becomes more apparent as I see other states and cities.
I hope you are just as excited for another summer of sunrises, mountain peaks, cold rivers, insect hatches, and chasing trout.
Thanks for reading The Curious Angler this week,
Nick
