The article was about the drudgery of nymphing in the coldest weather or storing waders for the winter or something that insinuated taking a break from fly fishing was an option. Apparently it triggered some people. A few comments and emails rolled in, questioning my angling bona fides and stating that any fly fisher worth his 6-weight never quits, never lets his boots dry, and never sleeps in past 5:00am. I think I was called a “rank amateur.” You might say that it was a sub-charitable response.

I get it, though. I do. I’ve been zealous before about things. I’ve been zealous about fly fishing and its unwritten rules, for that matter. All of us go through a stage of immaturity, after all.

Okay, maybe some people go through two.

All that said, I want to go on record saying that it is okay if you take the winter off. It is okay if you take the summer or fall off, too. Spring? Well, I suppose for the sake of my argument I need to concede that one as well. I think you can call yourself a fly fisher and wear that moniker with gusto if you fish once a year out of the the comfy confines of a guide’s driftboat. Because why not? What does it hurt? I’m happy you like to fish once a year and that you think about that one week enough during the other 51 that it is in some small way a part of your identity.

That guy used to bother me. Partially because he had nicer gear than I did. But that is selfish and prideful. And that character flaw represents the kind of amateur I don’t want to be.

Recently I learned that the word amateur  comes from the French, meaning “one who loves.” I’m fine with that. And if Casting Across became the  sensation of the fly fishing world overnight (biggest dace in the pool, that), then I’d still embrace my amateur status. I love fly fishing but my focus turns to waterfowl for a few months in the fall. I love fly fishing but I don’t want to be miserable if better conditions are a day or week away. I love fly fishing but I hate it compared to how much I love my family, my church, and my Savior.

Love fly fishing every day. Love it once a year. Love it with the fresh eyes of an amateur until you get out there again. …but you might want to work on your cast in the meantime.