Now More Than Ever

THE TINY BLACK and white fly barely made a ripple as it touched the crystal-clear water. It sank for a couple of seconds into an eddy before a beautiful brook trout struck and sped into the current.

The brook trout in the streams of Rocky Mountain National Park at Estes Park, Colorado aren’t huge, but they’ve got plenty of spunk. So did the brown trout and greenback cutthroats caught that day.

My friends, Todd and Annie Jurasek, and I took off to Colorado last August to do some photography. We had an amazing day fly fishing with guide Duane Simmons of the Estes Angler. He put us on fish and got me back on track after a few missteps.

Taking in that stunning scenery amid the COVID-19 pandemic was quite a contrast. The mountains didn’t care about the bad news and neither did the moose, bears or mule deer we saw. It was a place of solitude and a time to get back to the simplicity and solace of nature.

Now more than ever, we need what the great outdoors brings into our lives. We need clear streams, salty bays, seagrass flats, rolling hills, pine forests and cactus thickets.

These are the places where those of us who truly love the great outdoors come alive and create experiences that help us soldier on through rough times.

No one knows what 2021 will bring. Although I’m an optimistic person, I have a gut feeling there will be great challenges not only in America, but throughout the world. However, I put my trust in God and have plans to spend more time outdoors than I ever have.

I’m not an expert fly fisherman. I’m not even super good with fly gear, but I’m not bad either. With that said, there are two things that will happen this year with a fly rod in my hand.

I will catch a five pound-plus largemouth bass on fly gear. I have caught plenty of bass fly fishing, but never one that big. It’s happening in 2021.

Also, I will catch a bonefish. That has been my dream fish for years. I’d be happy to catch one on a cane pole with bacon on the end of a hook—if it would take it. However, the dream is a bonefish on the fly, and it will happen in Florida this year.

I’m determined to make the most of the incredible gift God has given us through the great outdoors.

Some other outdoors things are happening as well by decree of yours truly:

I will bag an eastern turkey in the Pineywoods of East Texas. I could have shot a jake last year, but eastern numbers aren’t where they need to be in the region, so I let him live. This year, I’m believing the big gobbler that fooled me and my friend Josh Slone goes down.

I will catch a tarpon. I’ve had them break my line, blow up on topwaters and look at me like I was an idiot as I sight casted to them. However, this year the elusive tarpon gets caught, photographed and released.

Most importantly I want to give back more than ever.

This year the Higher Calling Wildlife podcast gets expanded with longer shows, more expert guests and an additional show every month.

That extra show will be Higher Calling Saltwater, which will be an in-depth, passionate show. If you like what I write on saltwater here and in my books such as Flounder Fever, this is the program for you. It’s like a Chester article turned broadcast.

Speaking of flounders, I have a huge announcement, but that will have to wait until the next issue. I need to confirm one final detail. Whether that works out or not, there is more coming from me on flounders in this coming year than you have seen in a decade.

Let’s just say it’s going to be…revolutionary.

I frequently say I am no one special, but I get to do special things. I trust in God, work hard and have the audacity to believe I can.

The only thing on the above list that will cost much is the bonefish trip. So, I am saving for that. Everything else can be done for the price of a tank of gas.

Make your own outdoor challenges this year. Commit to more time in the great outdoors and find ways you can give to others who might be struggling.

There will be opportunities for that here and through Higher Calling Wildlife and Higher Calling Saltwater podcasts. Remember the mountains don’t care about the news and neither do the flounders and speckled trout.

Get podcast updates in the TFG e-newsletter and get ready for a great outdoor year. Let’s spend more time outdoors and let it help recharge us for the challenges ahead.

 

Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com

 

< PREV Return to CONTENTS Page NEXT >