Welcome to Issue 16 of Guys Fishing Weekly! This week we are observing the world through the eyes of a 2.5 year old, and trying to glean a little wisdom. Can exploring the wild with your children, and acting like a child with your friends, really reignite the wonder in your life?

Also, as we like to do, we have highlighted a number of cool things we saw in the fishing community this week, and point out some upcoming “Third Spaces” you can check out to grow your relationships.

Thanks for spending even just a little of your week with us. We are grateful for you!

Enjoy,

- The GFW Boys

I recently went camping on BLM land just north of Creede, CO. My wife, daughter and two dogs accompanied me. We found a quaint little creekside fire ring and set up shop for two nights.

My daughter is 2.5 years old, and this is her first outing as a camper. She seems to be at home in a tent, which surprised me slightly, but then again we felt like a 3 week camping road trip with her was accomplishable.

Turns out she is a trooper.

While she does get cranky from the heat and overplaying, she is an explorer. A typical kid in the wilderness. Throwing rocks in the river, chasing butterflies, and her strange fascination with collecting firewood.

This week, “More sticks daddy” are her favorite words in her limited vocabulary. And with that we are off on another adventure to collect whichever stick she sees fit. Some are “too dirty”, while others are “too small” only to be replaced with an even smaller stick of her liking.

I am in her world, and I am fine with it.

But during one of these adventures, we came across a dandelion. Nothing special about this one. In fact, it was one in a field of hundreds. But this specific flower got her excited. “Little Yellow Flower” she yelled! I followed with “Wow!” She was so proud of herself for spotting it.

Then she saw the next one, six inches to the former’s right. “Another yellow flower!”

“Really? no way?!” To which she confirmed “Yeah!” as if it was the only thing in the world that mattered.

And in that moment, she was right. Kids seemingly have a way of bringing you into the moment. The world that us adults see on a macro level, they see on a micro, maybe even microscopic, level. A single black ant can lead them on a wild goose chase as they stare mesmerized by their six legs or whatever else they see in it.

You name the most trivial thing, and a two year old will point, yell, laugh, and be in awe with what exists in the world. And many times it isn’t even so clear as to what they are talking about, with the pointing being the only clue you have to go off of. Their giggles, their babble you must decipher and the irregular emotional breakdown that you must solve… now.

We lose a little bit of this wonder in life. I am not sure what starches it out of us. It is probably just the brain keeping us focused on what it sees as important for survival. Five minutes of staring at one black ant, or the acknowledgement of a single yellow flower aren’t necessarily one of them.

For a 2.5 year old though, all they seemingly care about is absorbing the here and now. There is no planning for retirement or philosophical things to debate. For them, there is just a yellow flower.

And that is beautiful.

So go ahead Sweet Girl, show me those yellow flowers. I need to see them.

Quote of the Week

"If people don't occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you're doing something wrong."

- John Gierach

Trip We are Dreaming About

Lost Key Lodge, The Jumentos Cays, Bahamas

Located in an undamaged Caribbean ecosystem approximately 60 miles north of Cuba, Lost Key Lodge is a private getaway where you can catch bonefish, tarpon, permit and more. Accommodating only 4 anglers at a time maximum, you are bound to never run into another fisherman. Pair that with fishing guides with over 22 years of experience and you can’t lose!

Website, Instagram

What We Are Watching

Fly-Fishing in MORDOR | Dream Stream 2

Southside Fly-Fishing’s, Sean Afnan (IG @sean_afnan, YouTube @SouthsideFlyFishing) takes us on a beautifully narrated, visual journey through Iceland in search for Brown Trout. An almost meditative adventure, worth taking 10 minutes out of your day to watch. It will give you plenty to dream about.

BONUS: What We Are Watching

Saltwater Fly Fishing Quest | Steve’s Red

@flyfishingfilmtour Official Selection

We originally saw this at our local Fly Fishing Film Tour and are so happy to see it out in the wild for everyone to watch. One of our favorites from the show because it shows the camaraderie that we love so much at GFW. Highly recommend this watch.

Fish of the Week

Mike Pogoda (@mikepogodaflyfishing406) caught this beauty this week. The colors on this brown remind us fall is in the air AND to go catch these spawning beauties.

Mike is a fly fishing guide up in Bozeman, MT, and we can’t wait to get out on the water with him. Make sure if you are in the area, hit him up for a float trip!

One Fly Pattern

Hare and Squirrel Pearl Rib Jib

Say that name 10 times fast. While this fly might not be the prettiest, it looks hella effective, especially for the fall. And according to the fly tier (@kindale_fly_fishing), it has been the most effective fly on their home waters, the Lagan River in Ireland.

One Cause to Learn About

Community Fly Fishing - Denver, CO

Community Fly Fishing is an organization making fly fishing and the outdoors more accessible for people of all backgrounds. Through free courses and guided instructional trips (see the below “Third Places” for their upcoming events) they are showing as many people as they can the beauty of this great sport. The more the merrier in our books! Thanks for all you are doing!

“Third Places” Events

Places that could be a great places to meet fellow anglers

Merch is Coming…

#River Thoughts

• Birds are fuckin loud considering how small they are (Source: Reddit)

• 6 mins doesn’t feel like 10% of an hour (Source: Reddit)

• Bad WiFi is much worse than no WiFi (Source: Reddit)

• Everything smells at least a little bit like nose (Source: Reddit)

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