Probably the coolest thing about my fly fishing experiences has been meeting so many wonderful people. It is truly amazing to look back on the people that have come into my life because of fly fishing and wing shooting. We go through life with people entering our lives for whatever reason. Sometimes for a brief period, sometimes a substantial amount of time and occasionally we make a life long friend.
Nonetheless I have come to realize that there is a purpose for everything that happens and often times that purpose reveals itself much later or perhaps never does.
I guess my point is I have come to accept and welcome the great people I encounter. Recently one such person is a young lady by the name of Emily Greenfield. Emily is a student of IU doing her internship at Rehabilitation Hospital of Indianapolis. She contacted me a while back to ask if I would be willing to donate some lessons to help her learn how to fly fish. She explained that she was interested in learning how to fly fish so a fishing program could be implemented at the hospital as part of a rehab program for people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
I was quick to point out how challenging this task would be and that fly fishing requires a great deal of time, patience and practice before one would succeed. Emily ( in spite her youth and inexperience)held her ground and effectively conveyed her strength, passion and commitment.
I agreed to help her and we began working together. First covering a basic introduction to fly fishing and the gear, followed by fly casting lessons and finally casting a fly in a pond.
Nonetheless I have come to realize that there is a purpose for everything that happens and often times that purpose reveals itself much later or perhaps never does.
I guess my point is I have come to accept and welcome the great people I encounter. Recently one such person is a young lady by the name of Emily Greenfield. Emily is a student of IU doing her internship at Rehabilitation Hospital of Indianapolis. She contacted me a while back to ask if I would be willing to donate some lessons to help her learn how to fly fish. She explained that she was interested in learning how to fly fish so a fishing program could be implemented at the hospital as part of a rehab program for people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
I was quick to point out how challenging this task would be and that fly fishing requires a great deal of time, patience and practice before one would succeed. Emily ( in spite her youth and inexperience)held her ground and effectively conveyed her strength, passion and commitment.
I agreed to help her and we began working together. First covering a basic introduction to fly fishing and the gear, followed by fly casting lessons and finally casting a fly in a pond.
A young ,healthy IU dancer, with tremendous strength and co-ordination picked up fly casting as if it were second nature to her. She was casting proficiently after just a few lessons and began catching fish!
In the process of all of this I learned Emily is a twin. Her sister had sustained a spinal injury in a dry land diving accident and is now in a wheelchair.
In the process of all of this I learned Emily is a twin. Her sister had sustained a spinal injury in a dry land diving accident and is now in a wheelchair.
At the time of the accident, Emily became more than a sister, she accompanied her sister to school and therapy.
Listening to Emily tell her story I was partly saddened to hear of the tragedy but quickly recognized what an amazing young woman Emily truly is. I also thought of how lucky Emily's sister is to have such a loving, devoted sister and friend.
Perhaps this event in Emily's life is what has made her so strong and so eager to succeed. After about the third lesson she confessed to me that she had approached others for casting help but was shot down several times. She didn’t give up…she was persistent and continued until for some reason our paths crossed.
I have enjoyed working with her so much…in a way she has restored faith in me that all things are possible and that if we keep knocking on doors, occasionally one opens.
I know in my heart she will have a bright future because she is equipped to handle whatever comes her way.
On our last meeting Emily excitedly stated she was going to teach her twin sister how to fly fish.
I taught her to cast and to catch fish….she taught me the meaning of “hope.”
Listening to Emily tell her story I was partly saddened to hear of the tragedy but quickly recognized what an amazing young woman Emily truly is. I also thought of how lucky Emily's sister is to have such a loving, devoted sister and friend.
Perhaps this event in Emily's life is what has made her so strong and so eager to succeed. After about the third lesson she confessed to me that she had approached others for casting help but was shot down several times. She didn’t give up…she was persistent and continued until for some reason our paths crossed.
I have enjoyed working with her so much…in a way she has restored faith in me that all things are possible and that if we keep knocking on doors, occasionally one opens.
I know in my heart she will have a bright future because she is equipped to handle whatever comes her way.
On our last meeting Emily excitedly stated she was going to teach her twin sister how to fly fish.
I taught her to cast and to catch fish….she taught me the meaning of “hope.”
