I check the ladder up to the tree house every spring. After a cold New England winter, no one gets to head up into the fort until I test every step. This year, with all the craziness, I neglected to do so. Until I inadvertently did so.

Honestly, I am thankful. One, it is only a severe ankle sprain. It could have been a broken ankle. It could have been a broken leg. I could have fallen on my back or head. Two, it was me. I’ll take crutches and braces and a month’s worth of inconveniences any day over one of my boys getting hurt.

Falling and hurting my ankle changed a lot of things in small ways. Obviously, fly fishing has been impacted. I’ve been hurt before. But for whatever reason (maybe age, maybe being humbled) this time I feel like I’ve gained some perspective. Lord willing I’ll heal quickly and get back to doing what I want how I want to do it before this summer wraps us. Not everyone who fishes has a  temporary limitation. It isn’t as easy as “cross the river to cast” or “head down that hillside.”

Here are a few things I’ve realized recently. Maybe you know them from your own experience. Maybe you’ll find some perspective, which will be useful in some way down the road.

You can’t go everywhere you want to go.

Steep hillsides are difficult. Stairs aren’t much better. Take away a hand rail or add some inconsistency, and it is downright dangerous. Sand is no fun. Neither is a slightly uneven surface. All in all, I’ve come to appreciate everything the ligaments in my foot do for me.

Sometimes I can take a longer route. This actually ends up being okay, as slow and steady gets there just fine – and without peril or trial and error. Other times, it just isn’t going to happen.

You can’t use whatever you want to use.

I can’t see myself wearing my ultralight wet wading lowtop shoes in the next few months. They’re wonderful shoes, but there’s no ankle support or protection. Thus, my light weight boots will be my wet wading option and my heavy duty boots will get a lot more use.

Just fish from a boat! Think how much you use your legs and feet to stabilize your body as you encounter any chop at all. Discomfort effects casting, presentation, and fishing in general.

You can’t do everything you want to do.

Most casting doesn’t involve your feet. But some  does. Longer casts involve some twisting, pivoting, and torquing of your legs and ankles. It is not particularly a lot, but it is the kind of thing that will be felt when there is already an issue.

Long hikes in, whether it be into the woods or just away from the parking lot, are helpful to get into “fresh” fish. Usually it is a quick jaunt. Now it isn’t possible. There are fish nearby the car – I just have to work harder for them.

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Fly fishing isn’t off the table. But it has changed; it is limited. Call it perspective, empathy, or gratitude. It has lead me to think about what I write and suggest. Not everyone can do everything. I appreciate what I’ve been able to do for years more now than I have before. And, hopefully, when I’m on the right side of this I’ll still appreciate it too.