Beginner's Mind

 

“Be humble: In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few.”

 

John Gierach tells a little story in All Fishermen Are Liars about the first time he fished a spot.  He said to the guy he was with, “I can’t make that cast.”  His buddy replied, “Me neither, but if we don’t try, we’ll never learn.”  Later, Gierach says, “Thirty-some years later there are days when I still can’t make that cast and others when I can just manage it.”  

 

 

Part of the function of this blog is to be instructional — even though “instructional” is a relative term!  Questions from somebody just answering the invitation to join the adventure are different questions than somebody who has fished a few years and wants to try new adventures.  And you old timers who have been at it for a whole bunch of “one more cast and we’ll call it a day” are up to new challenges, too.  

 

As June winds down and July heats up, I hope you’re taking advantage of what we have to offer in the way of classes and guide trips.  More importantly, I hope you take advantage of all the “Where to Go” in our great state.  

 

I want to stay in the beginner’s frame of mind.  I want to stay curious about this sport…and grow by taking on new and different challenges.  When I think I have it figured out and have few possibilities in my mind, it will probably be time to retire the Sage.