I'm not sure who decided flannel was a good idea, but it was probably Jacob, those Scottish genes. I can remember haphazardly putting together my original line up of rod bags. Near the top of the list was Flannel Lined Bags. It was the first or second order I received. It's still the most popular bag.

The past month has been difficult. I'm not going to sugar coat it. Will tomorrow be better or worse? Will summer be healthy? Maybe life will never be the same, and this life I've carved out for myself will have to change. I'm not sure what's around the bend, and that brings an unease that I'm ill-equipped to handle. I know I'm not alone, and I know many others have it worse. That fact is not lost on me.

Luckily, this has been a busy season for me. Last week I found myself sitting on the floor in my office surrounded by flannel fabrics. All different weights, all different colors. Mostly plaids. And, for that whole day, I felt comfort. Maybe it was the softness of the fabric or the familiarity of plaid, but I think more than anything, it was a reminder. When I first started this little bag business of mine, it was another uncertain time. I didn't have a job. I had no idea where my next paycheck was coming from. Everything was up in the air, and I had no real control over it. But, with a little grit and a lot of flannel, it all worked out.

I hope that you're able to find your flannel. To find that thing that will ground you and provide comfort. One day we will come out of this, hopefully on a river with rising trout, a good fly rod, and maybe even a flannel bag.