Be grateful for every fish. The big, the small, the tiny. Fishing any time is a precious gift. The pleasure, the pain — it’s all part of why we love it.
Subtle shifts in presentation will transform your success rate. When feeling angry that your not catching crap, simply choose to try something different.
Every steelhead comes into our life for a reason. It is up to us to be open to the lesson they are meant to teach.
Trust. In troubled times when no one on the river is getting a sniff, just know that the Universe has your back and eventually you will get your bell rung.
Never take things personally. What others are catching is a reflection of what run they are fishing and probably has little or nothing to do with you.
A walk in nature cures a lot. Catching a fish is the bonus. Taking in some fresh air and the beautiful landscape is amazingly head-clearing, grounding, and mood-lifting. Bonus: If you can get yourself to believe this you will actually catch more fish.
You have to feel it to hook it. Bring your doubts front and center because the only way out is by truly thinking the next swing will produce a fish.
Perfectionism is an illusion. Made a bad cast? Ease up. Strive for excellence, sure, but allow yourself room to make mistakes and permission to be happy regardless of outcome.
Take the blinders off. Don’t become so laser-focused on catching a fish that you miss out on the beauty around you. The river is stunningly beautiful, and the fish will notice if you noticed.
Celebrate the journey. It’s not all about the destination. Getting to and from the river can be more memorable than the actual fish.
Don’t take fishing too seriously! Its not life or death stuff, and its not rocket science. Leave your ego at the door.