When you're staring at a computer screen for multiple hours straight you begin to get dull ache behind eyes that are strained and on the verge of crossing. I had just reached that point. January 2017, sub-folder, Davidson, sub-folder, 1-23-17; then on to 2016, 2015, and so forth. Some part of me had no idea how many photographs I had acquired over the years, another part was fully aware, which is why I'd been putting this project off for so long.
I was asked by the Carolina Cane Gathering to give a talk on photography and fly fishing, and I needed to pull all my thoughts together in a visually interesting way. Look for triangles. Avoid direct sunlight; remember, all things on the river are reflective. Don't hold a tout with dry hands. Don't hold a trout with gloved hands. "Banking" fish is bad. Etc, etc, etc...

Remember, it's not all about the fish.

There it is, my trap, my biggest hurdle.
I never really stop working. During a fishing trip, I'm taking photos or writing in my journal. I'm watching Jacob for something that's about to happen. Then, inevitably, I focus on capturing an image of a fish.

As I stood up in front of a room full of bamboo rod builders, all staring at me, I realized this one point I was trying to encourage other to remember was one that I overlooked.

Today, I took myself up to the river. I didn't bring a fly rod or camera or anything other than myself.
Remember, it's not all about the fish.