Nearing the end of another year. Looking towards the next year ahead.

This year nearly in the books. Was it a good one? Yes, I think so.

Will this coming year provide us with ample trout fishing opportunities? Yes, I think so.

Just lost my father in December. A big hit. My last and final parent. It does create a perspective different from losing my mother in ‘23. My last parent. Just my sister and I remain.

For many, many years I have lived with my eyes wide open. Absolutely aware that the opportunity to live and work and sketch my life enveloped in the outdoors is not to be overlooked. I am hyper aware of this priveledge. How did I get here? By a combination of luck, design, work ethic, and somewhat appropriate life posturing. Not too many moments get by me when on the river. I imprint them on my internal hard rive. Right up front. In my minds eye. Not hidden or put away fro another time. Front row.

Why am I rambling here today? Don’t know. Sometimes gotta let the fingers type and witness what dribbles onto the digital page.

Reflecting on the year(s) past. It is important to gain perspective of water under the bridge. It allows you to make changes if needed. To refine your path. To update your hard drive. Maybe to make a life changing move? Hell, I encourage those who need to spend more time under whatever big sky you can find. Today is the day to turn your cart, drift boat, in a new direction.

Spent lots of time fishing with my dad in the 56 years of my life. Even more time outdoors. I value every minute. I can even remember lots of those moments, hours, days. It is my ultimate duty to create those moments for others. In that they may pay it forward to their friends and family. That is my mission. To embrace outdoor opportunities…teaching, advocating, and championing life beyond the structures that confine many humans.

Thanks dad for those painful years of teaching, fishing with, a kid. A posthumous comment: It worked. Spent lots of time in a drift boat and sled on the Skagit where I was raised in Mount Vernon WA. just like the taste of beer or Tequila there are lots of hours that you do not enjoy the flavor! But, after a couple decades it becomes palatable. And then comes the moment where it is part of your make-up, your fabric, your personality.

So thank you for those moments, hours, days, long cold weekends in the bay boat in the San Juan Islands. Always around water. Skiing too. And, growing up in the NW corner of WA water was always around. Most of the time falling from the sky. Slogging through duck fields filled with water hunkered down and shivering waiting for a sill duck to pass over. The steelhead pursuits I was not all that fond of to the Deschutes, Skagit, Sauk, etc. Always cold and wet!

The skiing. Lots of skiing in the winter and family vacations. Chair rides in the rain, and snow too. I loved skiing first. The love of fishing took more time to develop.

I have spent my life skiing and fishing. It was what I was groomed for. I told my parents many times over the years that it was their fault I turned out this way. Environmental immersion. Has to be. I was adopted. No blood lines to blame. All environment. Hah!

I have spent my life working in the ski and fish industry. Years of side jobs, cooking, allowed me to develop the skills to and opportunity to work in these industries full time. A career path? I guess so. Here I am today thinking about fishing, with FIS ski races on the YouTube behind me, talking to you.

I recently spent a week Atlantic Salmon fishing with my dad in northern Quebec on the Leaf River. What a treat. Had the time, and have many times but once again, to thank dad for raising me, nurturing, and mostly promoting my life style and recreation occupation choices. I had the same opportunity to thank my mom as well. I encourage all of you to make the time to have that moment with your parents. It’ll be good for both parties. It’s good for you constitution man.

Anyway spent the week on the water with dad, Richard. His eyes were lit up. He said that this, Atl. Salmon fishing was his favorite of them all. I knew that for some time. Steelheading in his back yard was high on the list, but the two handed game of Atlantic Salmon angling was tops. He was totally engaged int he pursuit tying flies for the trip in advancfe, practicing his two handed cast, walking 2+ miles a day to ensure he was prepared for the experience.

We caught some fish. We lost some fish. We were immersed in nature with not too many humans in the general region. Like within a 100 kilometers. Caribou migration in full flight, bears roaming the hillsides foraging for pre-hibernation calories, and dad shooting lasers with his Scandi weapon of choice.

The last day of fishing dad removed a rod from a long rod sock. Looked new coming from the bag and asked what rod it was. He said I bought this CND 14’ 8wt 30 years ago. Had not fished it. Excited to see if it was a good purchase, he said.

That last day of casting for dad was a good one. I shot many slo-mo videos, and pics of him launching that CND as far as he needed. On day 5 of the trip dad was firing, casting, on all cylinders. Presenting quite well. A week shy of his 87th birthday and he was smiling. To me it looked like the two were made for each other. I’m glad they had a moment to dance. It was so cool to watch. So cool.

Again, I was aware of this moment. And recorded it in my head for future use. I use that damn phone a bundle too. Put it down more often. You won’t miss a thing. It is the moments you miss when that thing is glued to your hand and face. Let the outdoors into your head, your life. I know many of you are good at it already. If the past year has not included enough fishing, or outdoors, or the with family…this next year could be the year.

Take the time to record your own Mental Mother Nature Movies. This is your year. Why not take your wife or girlfriend or child or friend along with you. They may enjoy it too. Or at least later in life. Imprinting all the good of you, the parent, neighbor, friend along with the smells and sounds and reality of the life outside of your house, home, apartement.

Practice your cast too. Why not.

I know my father would.

Create your own path. I always encourage you to write your own Personal Mission Statement. It should be short, concise, and true to you. Eleimante the lists and work from your soul. It will give you enough direction on its own. Then if you get lost, review your Mission.

Looking back is good. Reviewing, getting rid of the bad, re-inforcing the good, and then moving forward. Looking forward is better.

Thank your parents. Thank your spouse. Thank yourself too.

As I thank my father.