The Legwork of Joy

The best way to tie flies how I once did is to endure these new, frustrating hours of fly-tying. Where formerly thoughtless parts of the process--a half-hitch, applying head cement--are anything but.

A fly I tied in 2021.

Recently, I was asked what I do that brings me joy.

I paused. It required more thought than you’d hope.

If I was more able to tie flies right now, I’d have said fly tying. Fishing with those flies brought me joy too, but fly tying feels like another step of immersion in an activity I love. It’s also a glorified version of arts and c…