By nature, writing is introspective. It is nearly impossible to not insert yourself into what you write about. Words betray objectivity. Experience influences everything. And people, by and large, are nostalgic and sentimental critters. (Coincidentally, Trout don’t have that burden.)

A lot has transpired over the course of the past three years in and through my fly fishing journey. Maybe even more than in the previous 20 years.

If you have been reading Casting Across for any period of time, the following list of observations isn’t going to surprise you. That being said, I don’t blame you if you haven’t been waiting at your computer with baited breath every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for my latest bit of writing.  So I’ve compiled 30 things that have happened over the past 3 years.

Over the past three years…

I have gone fly fishing more.

I have been continually aware of how patient and supportive my wife is.

I have caught more fish. I’ve also been skunked more than ever.

I have mostly defaulted to chasing brookies in the mountains with dry flies.

I have tried to fish in new ways, failed quite a bit initially, but have usually succeeded in the long run.

I have shaken off my mourning over moving away from my Pennsylvania home waters and become content to fish wherever I can.

I have loosened up on my dogmatic viewpoints related to fly fishing.

I have gone on more guided trips, because I’ve realized how much I don’t know about fly fishing.

I have taken more people fly fishing – but not  nearly as many as I wanted to or as I should have.

I have chilled out on trying to make my boys fly fisherman. I’m pleased that they still want to go fly fishing.

I have gotten more serious about tying flies. I’m still  not very good.

I have remembered how much I enjoy the fly fishing community.

I have remembered that the fly fishing community, like culture in general, is mostly good people with a few out on the lunatic fringe.

I have gotten into the routine of listening to fly fishing podcasts, which has lead me to listen to podcasts in general.

I have thought about recording podcasts myself on and off for the past three years.

I have gotten a lot of new gear.

I have gotten into the habit of mostly using  my old, comfortable gear.

I have come to appreciate a good pair of socks.

I have formed relationships with some great people in the fly fishing industry.

I have come to appreciate that working in the fly fishing industry is a labor of love.

I have come to truly appreciate those who work in the fly fishing industry because of that.

I have gained a great, great respect for those men and women who have made it as fly fishing writers.

I have become more proficient in explaining fly fishing concepts  since I’ve been forced to explain fly fishing concepts through writing.

I have become a better, more creative writer at work because of my fly fishing writing.

I have continually been surprised and humbled by who reads my writing.

I have done my best to interact in some way with everyone who has reached out to me. It is literally the least I can  do.

I have settled into the habit of daily thinking about “what is next” for my writing.

I have (mostly) resisted succumbing to using click-bait and  other quasi-nefarious means to gain readers.

I have moved twice, started new jobs, welcomed a new baby, and done a lot of much more important non-fishing stuff.

I have never questioned starting and sticking to Casting Across for the past three years.