The sun is out, the Wonderdog’s sprawled at my feet, the pool is waiting, and I’m writing this from a shaded back porch in Healdsburg (California’s wine country).
There aren’t many trout here (the Russian River is nearby, but I didn’t bring a rod), but that matters little; I’m here celebrating my third wedding anniversary.
Fortunately, one of us is good looking.
I know. It amazes me too.
Not the lack of a fly rod. More the fact the L&T has put up with me (and the Trout Underground) for three whole years.
We were married alongside the Upper Sacramento River (the little amphitheater at Dunsmuir City Park), and because I have a strong survival instinct, I spent the three days prior to the wedding out of town – fishing the Williamson river with Chris Raine, Dave Edmondson, and Steve Bertrand.
The fishing wasn’t spectacular, but that’s OK because the wedding was (OK, it was mostly a blur for me, though others remember it better and assure me it pegged the meter).
And yes, the man performing the ceremony leaned heavily on water/river/wilderness metaphors in the ceremony (fortunately, he didn’t reference stocked trout), and the rest is history.
Hell, I even got to fly fish a little on my honeymoon.
Three years later, I still wake up every morning alongside someone who wants me to go fly fishing more often than I do (I’m still unsure if that’s because of the attitude I develop when I haven’t been on the water).
Among fishermen in general, there’s a tendency to emphasize the sport’s anti-social tendencies; a bass fisherman I know joined a club and at his first meeting, proudly announced he was on his third wife, bass fishing having claimed the first two.
It drew a knowing laugh from several in the room, but in truth, it always bothered me.
Bass fishing wasn’t to blame, and it’s possible his former wives weren’t either.
We fly fish for different reasons, but I like to think most of us are moving towards something positive instead of running away from something less so, but then, humanity isn’t a monolith as much as a scattered population of individuals, only some of whom fall under the bell curve.
In the end, I’d like to think I got married for the same reasons I go fly fishing – I’m moving towards something good instead of running from something bad, even if I’m not always sure what that looks like.
So far, I can say that’s exactly how it’s playing out.
See you on the river, Tom Chandler.
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“We fly fish for different reasons, but I like to think most of us are moving towards something positive instead of running away from something less so”.
One of the best things you’ve written, Tom.
Oh, and happy anniversary to you and the L&T, and many more of them.
Jolyon
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Congrats, happy anniversary, and very well said. Good luck and many more.
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Congratulations! Nothing beats sharing your life with someone who supports you and makes you happy.
Me and the Mrs. will celebrate 14 years
together on Tuesday. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
We’ll be sure to raise a glass to you and Nancy.
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Tom,
Congratulations to you and to your lovely bride.
And, of course, to the Wonderdog.
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Wow, I can hardly believe it’s been three years since that fishing trip. Oh, and congratulations to you and Nancy! I am a bit confused by that photo of you two in Healdsburg. I didn’t think it was that cold there this time of year.
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yes congrats all around but why the hell hellsburg?
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Congratulations…..Truly the best thing in your life…Nancy. Many happy reutrns to Healdsburg.
Oh and your friend, the one from up north who claims to be a drift boat capatin expert and wears that big brown ugly hat. He commited a felony a couple of days ago….might want to restrict your association to the dark hours of a day….seems he stole from a “little ‘ol lady” at a garage sale.
samistopdog
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MD and I had our first date thirty years ago last month. It wasn’t a fishing trip but married him anyway. There have been plenty of trips since then. Wishing you the same!
All my best, always, to you two (and WWD too).
CC
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Happy anniversary.
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Happy Anniversary TC. For me a critical component needed to be successful fishing and to maintain strong relationships is steadfast belief. Seems like you and your wife possess that trait. Congrats. Keep the line in the water and believe in every cast. See you in Denver.
For kix check out this related article – http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/scimedemail/la-sci-monogamy6-2008sep06,0,1874324.story
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Congratulations TC-very well written. My better half and I just celebated our 37th a couple weeks ago. It takes a lot of commitment (and compromise at times) to make a marriage a success. Sounds like you are well on your way!
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Congratulations for the anniversary!
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Congrats young man!
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Tom,
Congratulations!
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Congrats on the anniversary!
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Hey Tom and Nancy, congratulations on your third anniversary. My wife and I are approaching our 9th.
You are right up the road from me, as a matter of fact, I played a wedding there today and I’m playing another one tomorrow in Healdsburg.
You’re not missing anything in the Russian right now. The only thing you’d catch is a tourist or maybe snag some litter.
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Good going you two, Linda and I just had our 36th. And to the smart ass, it wasn’t a little old lady, it was a dumb redneck.
David
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Dave,
Rumor has it that you scored a nice Hardy Perfect for something like ten bucks. I don’t know, it sounds kind of like theft to me, but certainly not a felony. Unless, of course, you “stole” even more than just the Perfect.
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Roberts said he was going to give me that reel after he had it repaired. If he doesn’t, I’ll let everyone know…
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Sorry TC, it is a right hander. I am keeping my eye out for a left hander for you.
David
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Well played, Mr. Roberts.
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You guys are so cute. Nice work.
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