There are two things of which one should never speak in polite society: Religion and Politics, because the moment one does the society will become anything but polite.  When a person speaks about their religious or political views, even if they are Atheists or Anarchists , they are essentially speaking about their beliefs, their core values and this is very hard to do.  Most people are not comfortable rationally analyzing or discussing their beliefs from opposing points of view, for to do so one needs a sense of cool detachment from them.  The classic example is that of a forensics team – not CSI the speech and debate squad for those of you who may have actually had a life in High School.  After an impassioned argument, the coach may have the speaker deliver an address from the opposing viewpoint – this is not easy.  A person’s beliefs, their faith, their very identity  is one of the most precious things a person has, switching it on and off like a light switch should be very uncomfortable, if not impossible.  Most people simply can’t do it, some are better at masking their discomfort than others, but all in all it is easier to hide a sneeze.

In some ways, this is what separates TRUE intellectuals from the rest of humanity.  I have a lot of respect for intellectuals, and love to read their thoughts.  The ability to look at a situation, theory, or ethical question from a dizzying number of angles and points of view is quite a feat.  Intellectuals aren’t merely smart, in fact the level of intelligence has very little to do with it.  It is the ability to keep thoughts pure, free from “contaminants” like personal opinions, memories, wants, and so forth.  In addition to respect, I feel some pity for intellectuals, because in order for a person to do this, they need to have a lack of faith – at least in the topic they are studying which is likely something very dear to them.

I have one criticism of the faithful – whether it be for a religion, political credo, or even a mundane concern like football.  (I have trouble talking to people about football given that most heathens think the quarterback is the key to victory.  Anyone with half a brain knows that the battle between the offensive and defensive lines is the key match up in every game.  Seriously these people need to be burned at the stake or something.)  My criticism is that people of faith tend to forget that faith is a gift, a blessing that not everyone has.  The ability to believe to KNOW something is true without needing to question it, without the need for facts, without hesitation – is a source of power.  The power to do wonderful things…or terrible things.

Again football is a sure example for this.  If a player’s mind believes he can do something than regardless of the size or strength difference in his opponent, it can be done.  The opposite is true as well.

Now I know what you are thinking.  Is there a fly fishing related point to all this, or was this over-long introduction just an excuse to use a picture of Faith Hill?  Of course there is a point, I don’t need an excuse to post a picture of a comely country singer.

See I do what I want.

“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”

Henry Ford

I believe in the power of negative thinking.  If you believe casting a whole fly line is impossible, you are right.  If you believe fishing on a certain day is a waste of time, you are right.  Luke Skywalker couldn’t move the X-wing because he believed he couldn’t.  On the other hand, I’m also not a big believer in the power of positive thinking.  I do not believe that simply hoping for good things will bring good things.  One of my favorite inspirational posters, from long before they became a joke, was of a rowboat in the middle of a lake, the clouds were dark and in the distance the lavender echo of a lightning strike.  The caption was simple “Pray to God: But row to shore.”

If you don’t think you can catch a fish, odds are pretty good you wont.  The terminology most often used is “confidence.”  A person may speak of having confidence in a fly or a presentation technique – I think this is incomplete.  Confidence means you know a fly can work.  Faith means that you know it will, now.  A thin blurry line of distinction it may be, yet it makes a profound difference.

You should have faith in every cast you make, you should always believe you are about to get a strike.

I learned this, as I learned most things, from the game 10 casts which was detailed in a earlier post.  The key to the game was you make 10 casts and if you don’t catch anything you stop fishing for the day.  As you can imagine, most of the problems like hooking trees or standing on the line are instantly resolved.  Each strip you pay more attention to.  Most important of all, you will rarely make a cast that you don’t believe has a chance of catching a fish.

This is true faith…not some feel-good crap.  This is the power of believing in what you are doing, of living in this very moment.  Thats why I love fly fishing more than anything.  I’ve had a lot of jobs – they get boring eventually, I suspect even a heart surgeon’s job feels repetitive after a while.  Fly fishing is something that demands concentration and is fun.  May sound tedious, but I find that unless I’m concentrating on something my mind wanders and often goes back to thinking about problems and bothers, gutters that need cleaning.  Fly fishing cuts through all that and brings me to an understanding that is older and wiser than myself.  I find comfort in the faith that I have, though limited, an ability to commune with this, to hold a place in a multi-tangled web.  I understand the insect, the fish, the ways of the water, it’s a happy feeling I have found nowhere else, a spot in the world in which I belong.

I have faith in my Flyosophy – and that with it I can catch fish in my home waters or halfway across the world.  I have never fished for bonefish, peacock bass, or tigerfish, yet, I have no doubt that I can do so successfully.  I have faith in my fly casting, knot tying, and fly tying.  If the proverbial “fish of a lifetime” (I hate that expression…the debate upon the fish of my lifetime can start a second after my heart does) swims by, I have faith that I can get it to take a fly, and when it does that I can bring it to hand.  Over-confidence…hardly, because I have faith in one more thing.

That should I fail in any of these endeavors, I have faith that I will have learned, my Flyosophy will become more perfect, and I’ll get them next time.