Tuesday, September 3, 2013

A Quiet Saturday Morning

West Meadow Creek
 After an excruciatingly long week at work, a little piece and quiet was just what the doctor ordered. So this past Saturday morning I took an early morning walk down to West Meadow Creek with a  tenkara rod (actually a Daiwa Kiyose 45SF, which is technically a keiryu rod) and some flies to catch some snappers.


Though I caught a fair number of snappers and the fishing trip could be considered a success the fish seemed to be nothing more than a side note to a morning that was more important to my own mental health than hitting my limit of snappers for the day.  I probably spent as much time just watching the fiddler crabs and the herons going about their business and making a living as I did casting a fly.

Close up of a juvenile bluefish...AKA snapper 
Sometimes it's more important to sit back and "smell the roses" than to accomplish a goal.  Even though I grew up in the Hudson Valley and am more familiar with the changing of seasons concerning streams, rivers and small hills and mountains I have spent enough time around this tidal salt water marsh on Long Island to become familiar with the signs that signal a turn from summer into fall around here.  The sounds, smells and sights were all there for someone who was willing to sit by, observe and let the daily grind and it's worries slip away.
Fiddler crab burrow and sediment balls left over from feeding

I wish there was a way to experience this calm and peace every day , not just on one Saturday morning.  I think it's not just important but vital that all of us try to experience this feeling and take in what's going on around us to maintain our sanity. Fishing is a great way to get away but the most important thing is to getaway.

West Meadow Creek looking up stream


2 comments:

  1. Head clearing is a most important need. And it's true there is so much more to fishing than just catching.

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