Who got you started?

[NattyBumppo]

Forgive me if this has been done before but I thought it might be nice to hear from the folks at njflyfishing.com....who got you started in this fine sport? My guess is most will be good ol' dad.

While in my mid-late twenties I was fortunate enough to meet a man (who would become like an older brother to me), that is an avid outdoorsmen, eager and willing to enlighten those who would listen. He found a willing pupil in me. I would watch this guy from sales shoot a wooden recurve or practice casting a flyrod on the grass field alongside our building where we both worked. I was intrigued.

Before I knew it, he had me tossing aside my spincasting gear cating a piece of yarn on a flyline to a hula hoop and practicing with my own recurve (no sights) in my backyard at least three times per week. Now there was two of us out alongside the building at lunch. I was hooked, as they say.

As it turns out we live less than 30 minutes from eachother and although I no longer work in the same place as he anymore, we are still best of friends. Mentor and pupil, expert and novice. He has taught me much more than just flyfishing or archery. He's taught me how to keep a smile on my face, how to go with the flow and not let every little thing get me down. My friend always has a pleasant word and a bright smile to greet anyone who crosses his path. Life is too short and the world too full of things we can't control to be walking around mad at everything or everyone for reasons you can't really put your finger on.

Oddly enough, if anyone had cause to be mad at the world, it could be him. He's had his share of heartaches and trials in life but he keeps on wearing that smile and saying "howdy" to everyone he meets. He is truly a gem of a person the likes of which I suspect few have the honor to ever get to know.

Funny how a gent like this is a flyfisherman. Is it something about flyfishing that people like him or does flyfishing make people into gents like that? Chicken or the egg? Either way, I feel like I've hit the lottery for just having met him and being able to call him a friend. A couple of times we've taken my son (now 7 years old) out on the canoe to fish a local lake during the dog days of summer and it's amazing how even a 7 year old can pick up the positive attitude projected.

Did I mention the way he make a 60 ft. cast set down on the water like a leaf falling from a tree? In nearly ten years or flyfishing with him I still enjoy spending a few minutes just watching him sling a flyline. Poetry in motion. Slooooooooow and smoooooth. Just like his attitude...no need to rush, you'll get there eventually.

Guess you can tell I think the world of this guy. I only hope I can be as good a dad as he's been a friend and mentor to me.