Social media has its fair share of justified criticisms. Instagram, in particular, is often rightfully called out for channeling vanity and facilitating the worst coming out in people. In fly fishing, that has unfortunately lead to unsavory angling practices that endanger fish and stir up strife within the community.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. For the majority of us (the “non-influencers,” if you will) it’s about a little bit of creativity and a lot of killing time.
The Instagram “Top Nine” has become an annual end-of-year tradition. With a few clicks, you can see and share the posts that resonated in some way, shape, or form with those who follow or stumble upon your gallery. Could it be one more way to foster a sense of superiority/inferiority? Sure. Could it be a fun way to look back and remember some memories? Absolutely.
When I pulled up my top nine of 2019, it was a lot of fun to see some of the moments that defined my fly fishing from January to the last week of December. Each one isn’t just an Instagram post, either. Each of the nine photos represented a trip or an event. Each told a story.
So, for a short post on New Year’s Day, here are 9 one-sentence stories to accompany 9 fly fishing photos from 2019:
These follow the image above: left to right, top to bottom.
All three little boys gasped when the brook trout turned broadside, caught the sun, and put the fish’s full beauty on display.
What the char thought the neon yellow fly actually was, high up in that mountain lake, I’ll never know.
The sights, sounds, and smells of the valley gave me a false confidence – I had to slow down if I was going to find trout.
I’d like to say it was the first time I was hit in the face with a dace; but it was not the first time I was hit in the face with a dace.
Picking a location for this little communal meeting place was simple, but choosing which of my ugly flies I wanted any passersby to inspect was more challenging.
Two days a year of selling fly fishing gear gave me a new appreciation for the men and women who sell fly fishing gear for 365 days a year.
“Now you’ve had a limestone legend moment,” he said as he snapped the photo.
After four miles, the only thing greater than the solitude was the quantity of brook trout.
I can’t say my fly tying is getting prettier, but I can say my fly tying is getting fishier.
On Instagram but not following me? Here’s a link to my page.