Every fly fisher has someone who is their mentor to the art of fly fishing. For me this was John Howard. This man was a master fly fisher and a great friend, he had the amazing ability to know when to give you that small piece of info on a stream or river that would unlock your awareness and take you to the next level in this beautiful art we call fly fishing. When I learned to swim, my father took me to the local pool and dropped me into the deep end and I learned how to swim. Well, John kind of did the same thing to me when it came to my introduction into the art of fly fishing. Ten years ago he took me up to McKay Station on Maine’s West Brach of the Penobscot River. He gave me an old set of waders, a 6 weight fly rod and a Jerry’s smelt pattern and said, “go fish.” I had no idea what to do or how to cast a fly rod. I had been fishing all my life as a bait fisherman, so this was new to me. Well on that day caught 5 Salmon and life was never the same for me! Ever since that day, I have been a fanatical fly fisher! Well last fall John and I went to Maine’s Grand lake stream and on that day the mentor became the student. We were on the glide pool and I was hooking Salmon after Salmon to the point that John put down his fly rod and just took pictures of me catching fish. He had this big smile on his face and I had no idea why. He said something to me that I will never forget. He said, “you have become a master at your art, Rick.” Well John passed away this past winter and I will always be indebted to this fine man for taking me by the scruff of the neck and dropping me into the deep end of the pool we call fly fishing.
Cool Story, what nice way to be introduced to fly fishing. Hammering Salmon on the W.Branch of the Penob. My dad used to take me everywhere he went; Northern Maine, Florida and when I was old enough to curse, the Salmon River. I didnt realize until high scool how fun it was and then again in college how relaxing it is. Now it is everything I eat, sleep and breathe. Great Fish tale it reminded me of my begining.
MaxC,
At the end of the day and after 5 years of reading every article, comment and post on Flies and Fins; If someone asked me, “what has surprised you most throughout the course of 5 years?” My answer would have nothing to do with all of big fish caught, little fish, no fish, exotic locations people go to, incredible fly tying skills that some folks possess, incredible knowledge entomology, casting or guiding expertise. On a day to day level all of those things are fun and exciting and impressive and what keep me interested in flies and fins and fly fishing. I very much enjoy those dynamics of the sport of fly fishing and Flies And Fins. But, at the core of it all, I would say that what has amazed me most is articles such as this, writing such as this and the common thread of a deeper level of respect such as this that functions as the glue that holds flies and fins together and is somehow realized by many. And, the irony of it all is this. Flies And Fins was created with fish as the focus. Flies And Fins has always been all about fish and less about instruction and those type things. The concept of Flies And Fins was born of a very true fact that I realized 5 years ago. It goes something like this, “Since the beginning of time all tackle shops, fly shops and other such fishing establishments have a wall that is devoted to pictures of fish. That wall of fish and fish pictures is probably the first place people go upon entering the establishment and the pictures of fish that have been caught through the years and the wall of fish pictures is arguably the most trafficked and visited space in the store. I know that ever since I was a kid and till this day; the first place I go when entering any fishing establishment is to the wall of pictures. So, because of my personal lack of any real fly fishing credentials or fly tying skills and proper fly fishing training and instruction when I wanted to create a fly fishing website 5 years ago I did the only thing I knew and really the only thing I could do. So, I created Flies And Fins with the “wall of fish” in mind and made the focus entirely about the act of fly fishing and the fish that are caught during the act of fly fishing. So Flies And Fins is all about fish! Fish stories, fish pictures, fish videos etc.. The fish are purposefully the focus and the fish are the stars of the show. So where is the irony? Well, there is another element on the “wall of fish” that is now so apparent but at first I overlooked. It’s not really just a “wall of fish” is it? It is a “wall of fish and people.” And, think about it. Would we really be so drawn to “the wall” if it was only pictures of just the fish with no people? I doubt it. So, what I realized through time was that although it is all about the fish; it is equally as much about the people. And ultimately Flies And Fins is really all about people. The fish are the starts of the show and the thread that ties us all together. But, in the end nobody is really ever remembered in the world of fly fishing for all the big fish they caught, or how smart they were, or how well trained and refined they were or how they were better than others. Roam the halls of any fly fishing library or go through the archives of 20 years of fly fishing magazine publications. Big fish, good fly fisherman are really a dime a dozen. Everything has really already been done before. Point being, it seems that very few people in the history of fly fishing are ever really revered and remembered for their fly fishing prowess alone. The legends and those who are remembered; if you look deep enough … are remembered more so for their ability to connect and affect and have an impact on people. And it just so happens, that the truly good fisherman seem to have a common characteristic of being equally good at connecting with people and affecting the people they meet in a positive lasting way. My point is this. I don’t know who John Howard was. But, I can completely appreciate who he was to you. And, I want to thank you for posting this article, because it validates what amazes me most about what Flies And Fins has become. It is, at the same time, all about the fish and all about the people. And, when my time comes, if someone writes something about me that’s half as real and meaningful as you did about your friend John Howard. I will have lived a good life.
Now that is what fly fishing is all about. Great article. I hope that you can have a chance to teach your lessons on to someone else to keep the cycle going. Great job and read.
Max,
Great story. Good to pay homage to those that got you throwing flies. I’m sure that first day on the West Branch is a day you’ll never forget! Thanks for reminding us all how important it is to take time to introduce others to the sport.
Nice…