Posted on March 17 2023
Will be starting my eighth decade on the planet before the "traditional" April 1st trout season opening day. Looked at pictures from my high school classes' last reunion along with the obit notices posted on the class web page and came away feeling lucky. As I've no doubt mentioned before, it's been a goal of mine to be able to wade trout streams at 80. Down in Florida I took my five mile bike ride and did my mile and a quarter walk almost every day. The arthritis in my hands and wrists has hampered what little upper body weight work I do as the increased pain in the hands was more than offsetting any gains in the upper body muscles. Gave the fifteen pound dumbbells to my sixty- five year old fishing partner. Unless something unforeseen happens, I'll be ready to go when the flies start hatching.
Based on the fact that only a few of you recognize excerpts taken from songs that were popular during my school years, I assume that most of you are a good bit younger than I am. If you don't consider it an invasion of your privacy, it would be interesting to know your ages. Anyone willing to fess up, just add your age after your name (Ed S- 61) when making a comment. I'm betting there are at least a few of you out there that are in the over 80 crowd.
I spent some of my idle time this winter getting last years blog entries set up in book form. Was amazed at the number of comments. If I end up publishing the book, my plan would be to include the comments. If anyone wants theirs's deleted before publication please let me know and I'll be glad to erase them. Last year I set up the blog entries into book form but never actually published them. If nothing else it lets me look back on the year and recall both the good and bad days with much greater clarity than is provided by my somewhat terse log book entries.
With no bone fishing trip scheduled, Jean and I are watching the weather and will be heading north as soon as the extended forecast is to our liking.
Welcome home and Happy Birthday! You beat me to the 80 post by a couple of months. Looking forward to your posts for the coming year. I’m off to Honduras in a few weeks for Bonefish,Permit and Rum.
A bit late but I wanted to echo the appreciation for your blog. I fish with Cory S and he introduced me to your posts. Reading your entries makes me feel like I’m right beside you as you observe the water, explain the flows, and share your experiences. I wish you a healthy and productive season.
Love reading your posts! Hope you fair well on the waters tomorrow! Creeks have been well stocked and we have a nice, warm start to the day tom.! happy trails and tight lines!
Great to see the posts back! The advice you share is invaluable – thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
So glad this story is going to continue! Reading this blog brings a little joy each into an otherwise stressful life (I run a tech start-up and don’t have enough time to fish).
You have now fished longer than Jim Boeheim’s reign with the Orange.
Welcome back. I purchased your book and I enjoyed it immensely. Hoping I can meet you for an autograph. Hoping for another great year of your reports. Maybe another book??? Cheers.
Welcome back!!!! Glad to see your post. How was your deer season?
Please publish last years words of wisdom!!! I am looking forward to your posts and the wisdom you share about fly fishing. I can’t wait to get on the water.
I am 69 years old and had my hip replacement done this January and I am ready to go!!!!!
See you on the river🏌️🦌🎣
I’ve got my windows open in upstate NY, readying fishing materials between work projects and figured I should check the blog. Glad to see an update! I’m “young” but was overweight most of my life and had An unrelated medical scare/surgery in the last couple years.
I’ve since converted to a much healthier lifestyle and feel great. I know I have to stay on this path as my goal is to also wade trout streams into my 80s. You and your readers are great inspiration. Cheers to another new season!
Welcome back to the narrative! Enjoy your posts so much. You never fail to teach me something new with each post. I appreciate it very much.
Ohh seeing this , now I’m excited … Publish last season I’d buy it . Your other one is proudly tucked in my bookshelves with VanPut , Weamer , Flick, Lee. , Jennings , Caucci & Nastasi and many others . Obviously I’m leaving a bunch out and obviously I’m not using any particular order so let’s keep it cool .
Happy to join the choir and welcome you back, Angler 119. Congrats on your milestone and reaching your goal!
I’m dying to get back on the water, and your post tells me it won’t be long. Look forward to another year of your wit and wisdom, and wish you a banner season as you wade the rivers into your 80th year and beyond.
Although I’m 20 years behind you, I listen almost exclusively to 60 & 70s music, always appreciate your musical references, and snuck one in myself.
Good to see you back in the saddle metaphorically speaking. 75 here and going strong. Feel free to post any of my comments. It would be a honor to be included.
See you on the river?
Excited to learn more and enjoy the blog again this year. I just turned 40 in February and I still have at least another 40 years to fish (I hope)!
Welcome Back! it’s great to see your post, on the first day of spring no less. Glad you had a good winter, hopefully the arthritis doesn’t affect the fly and knot tying too much. I know it’s beginning to creep in on mine.
Looking forward to your posts, feel free to use any of my comments, and would love to see another book published, maybe with a fly photo or two…..?
Must be Spring! Glad to hear you’re upright and ready to flog The River. Not reading your disciple for the last few months is like not hearing from an old friend..look forward to another year of poetic prose
Now I know spring is almost here…A119 is BACK!
I sure hope to meet you in person this year.
As for the comments…can mine be put in italics with a bold font? Just kidding!
Glad to see you are back to posting. Reading your words has been an anticipated part of my morning routine for some time. Good luck with the aches and pains and I wish you all the best for another productive and enjoyable year on the river.
I was delighted to see your post—a sure sign of Spring. Congratulations in advance on reaching your goal.
Enjoy your wit and reports when attempting to fool a trout with a fly. Look forward to more reports and color commentary.
Angler 119- Great to hear from You .Sounds like you had a good winter.I’m only a couple of years your junior so I recognize most of your song references,which along with your blog, I really enjoy.Hope you publish another book. Your blog entries are both humorous and informative. Looking forward to another great season on the upper Delaware. Happy St.Patrick’s Day. Ed Smith