Editor's Note, August 9, 7:47 AM - After reviewing comments, it appears I missed the mark when I wrote this. The Fading Angler Blog is a NO WHINING zone. This is not meant to be a tale of woe. It's a story of a bit of struggle, followed by some unexpected redemption. I'm always trying to improve faster than I'm decaying. Sometimes Parkinson's Disease wins the battle, but I'm still winning the war.
It's not often we get a good look at ourselves. That passing glance in the mirror in the morning is an illusion of a reflection. I'm talking about the kind of vision where you're actually able to see yourself for what you are, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Sometimes it's a health crisis that brings things into focus, and sometimes it's simply the focus of a camera lens held by another person.
When I fished with Dan Milligan of Blackfoot River Outfitters last Friday, I had a really lousy casting day. I couldn't seem to get my body to manipulate the rod and line the way I wanted to. Dan gently made suggestions all day, but I'm pretty sure he thought I was ignoring him. I was trying, but I was frustrated and tangled up in my head as well. I am thankful that I've nearly shed any feelings of pride or embarrassment when it comes to casting. I am what I am. I do what I can, including trying to get better. And, no matter how ugly or dysfunctional my casting looks, I am getting strikes and catching fish. I care less and less what other people think of my ugly form and amateurish technique.
I did feel bad for Dan, though. He endured this ugliness for hours. One thing he repeated several times throughout the day was, "Try to keep your elbow down." I tried, but felt no success. I felt like I failed him. But it turns out that he gave me a better gift that any piece of casting advice: photographs.
