My first fish of 2014 came in mid January. While I didn’t have to work for it, I had to pay for it… $95 to be exact. A new year brings new goals. It allows us a time to reflect on our past shortcomings and successes and apply knowledge accumulated and lessons learned towards shaping the future. For two years, I volunteered at Casting for Recovery’s annual 2Fly4Hope event on Rose River Farm. For two years I sat on the bank and watched even the most inexperienced fisherman catch big trout after big trout. I had had enough, I paid the $95 fee for a day on the farm. It was, as expected, a fish frenzy. Every riffle or pool that would appear to hold a fish held multiple fish. Fish that were more than willing to eat. After countless 16” bows, I had satisfied the need to catch fish and I swapped my 5wt for my 2wt and my battle tested nymphs for unproven ones.
Douglas Dear, who owns and operates the farm takes great pride and care in this fishery and it is reflected in the population of healthy trout. As much as I hate paying to fish, I didn’t so much mind the money going to Rose River Farm. Every year, they donate several days on their fishery to Project Healing Waters and Casting for Recovery. Two quality organizations with the shared belief that fly-fishing has healing potential.
Apart from a great blue heron trying to steal the fish I was fighting, I couldn’t have asked for a better day on the water. The Rose River Farm itch has been scratched. I can rest now.
