Fly Fishing the North Boardman – a title that implies action and adventure with a dash of romantic charm thrown in. Not unlike saying Diaper Changing at 3am or Calming an Over-tired Will – action, adventure, romantic charm. Since Will was born, they all sort of run together like the river I fished over Memorial Weekend.

My brother was up for the holiday weekend and we decided to scout out and fish the North Boardman. It would be the first time out for both of us and we were pretty excited. It was a beautiful afternoon and we found a gorgeous stretch of river to probe with our yellow stones, sulphers, and Adams. During the few hours that we were out, I caught two brook trout (albeit probably the same age as Will), we saw a very large wolf spider clinging to TJ for its life, my truck rolled to 155555 miles, and we spotted at least one deer. Not bad for a few hours work.

This was also the first time I had been fly fishing since Will’s birth and the experience was a little different than the previous ones. In hindsight I realize that I didn’t take anything for granted – I enjoyed the drive with my brother and scouting of the location, I relished the process of stringing up my rod for the first time, choosing the first fly (feeling like a 7 year old trying decide which candy to buy while tightly clutching a quarter and dime), and generally soaking up the northern Michigan air.

I hope to be on the local rivers quite often this summer and as I log each experience, I expect to find many parallels between being a new dad and my second season of fly fishing. And I will be sure to invite you along through my words for every one of them!