I think that there is some unwritten rule about writing a "Giving Thanks" post if you are a blogger, so here it is. However, I reserve the right to stray from conventional, sappy posts and make this a little more fun. Light and breezy- that's how we keep things around here and with a small side of sincerity and metaphorical language. So let's eat and give thanks.
Side Dish #1- Stuffing
Let's start with a staple that is both traditional and necessary, just like stuffing. I'm grateful for my family, friends, house, job, and great country that we live in. I'm a lucky guy and sometimes I forget that. I'm not rich by any means, but I sure do appreciate what I have, just admittedly not as much as I should.
Side Dish #2- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Now this is what puts rears in the seats. My mom makes these mashed potatoes with sour cream, butter, bacon, ranch dressing, and I think she incorporates lard somehow. They have become a necessity at family dinners and much like her taters, fly fishing has become a staple in my life. Without it, I would probably go crazy and be the most unpleasant person in the world to be around. It gives me a competitive outlet, it helps me appreciate nature, and connects me with friends. It reminds me that learning is a life-long process and that just like there is always another body of water to fish, there is always something new to learn. And maybe most importantly, YOU get to decide how you fly fish, and how YOU get to appreciate our fine sport.
Side Dish #3- Cranberry Sauce
Like this traditional dish, fly tying is bitter sweet to me. I tie in spurts and mostly in winter. I go through phases of tying like crazy and then don't want to touch a bobbin for weeks. Like my cast, I am serviceable at tying and am just good enough to get the job done and be moderately successful on the water. I can feel the upswing starting to occur with my tying habits because I actually cleaned my fly tying desk yesterday. Look out fly boxes, you are about to be filled with semi-successful flies that work from time to time.
The Main Dish- Prime Rib
I'm not a fan of turkey. Most of the time it is dry, full of chemicals that may or may not make you sleepy, and I only eat it out of obligation to tradition. Well since this is my thanksgiving dinner, we're eating red meat by golly. And like steak, I appreciate you. (You might want to go get a hanky or tissue because this is going to be a tear jerker). If you are reading this, it means that out of the countless other things we could be doing, you are choosing to visit this site and read some of my incoherent ramblings. Whether we have met or not, you need to know how much I appreciate you being a patron of this site. I constantly monitor the traffic on this site and it never ceases to amaze me that there are actual human beings that visit this site on a daily basis. It makes me happier than I can describe so thank you for being a bright spot in my day and in my life. I hope that you are able to find some information, watch some videos, and read some posts that return the favor and bring you a fraction of the joy that you give to me. Thanks again for all that you do for me!
Honorable Mentions That Didn't Make It To Dinner But I Am Still Thankful For:
9 foot, 5 weight fly rods
Trout that I catch
A River Runs Through It- both the book and the movie
Waders that don't leak
Field & Stream
Star Wars
Trout that I can't catch
The Midwest Drift
Hybrid Striped Bass
Farm ponds
My fly fishing club
Trout that sip bugs off the top of the water
Largemouth that crush streamer patterns
A baby's smile and giggle
Rainbow Fly Shop- Independence, Missouri
Lake Taneycomo
Jaws- you knew I was going to work that in somehow didn't you
The Missouri Department of Conservation
Busch, Austin, Pat, and all my other buddies that contribute to this site
Missouri Trout Parks
The Fiberglass Manifesto
The Brave & John Deere
Four-wheel drive trucks
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