6X Higa-ma-jibbit

It's 8:30 am on a crisp November morning. Myself and a humble Vietnam veteran named Billy walk through the front door of Davidson River Outfitters to get some supplies. This is his second time fishing for trout and his first time in a fly shop that doesn't have a "Mart" as part of it's name.Although he's in new territory he doesn't look out of place. He stops in front of a wall that has some familiar items on it and says "hey" to two men who are pondering the fly selections in front of them. As the two men discuss their fly selection and techniques, Billy quietly nods and smiles,nods and smiles. Knowing that he's probably doing the" man thing" I check out what he understood." Hey Billy, What did they say you will catch fish with" ? He looks up and to the right,as if he has the answer under the brim of his well worn ball cap. Then he replies : "a 6x higa-ma-jibbit fished dead drift in the riffles". We both laugh out loud. All of a sudden catching fish is not as important.

Tenn' Clave 2008 Testimonials

Tenn' Clave 2008 Testimonials

Attitude is everything

Last week I had the privilege of attending an invitational event for people involved with Project Healing Waters. PHW is an organization that utilizes fly tying and fly fishing as part of veterans physical and psychological rehabilitation.

I got into PHW about 18 months ago . This was right after my father died. My father an ex-pow captured at the Battle of the Bulge was the one who introduced me to fishing. An event that began my lifelong passion in the church of the great outdoors. More than just a sport or a pass time, fishing has always been a spiritual experience for me. It's a time when I become centered, grounded and a witness to the mysteries of creation. When I heard of PHW soon after his passing, I knew that I must share the gift he gave me with other men who served their country.

My time with six vets last weekend was truely an inspiration that confirmed my inner prompting 18 months earlier. These brave men forged the waters of the South Houlston River despite having a leg amputated below the knee, one arm,an artificial leg, and finally a glass eye. If you listened to them speak you would not hear a hint of their physical disabilities, only a regular stream of laughter and expressions of gratitude for thier lives.

They taught me alot about the possibilities inherent in a positive attitude. I pray that as my body and mind age and challenge me, I will recall their attitudes and continue to live my life in a passionate manner.