the poetry of fly fishing
William Wordsworth
Preface to the Lyrical Ballads
“I have said that Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity: the emotion is contemplated till by a species of reaction the tranquillity gradually disappears, and an emotion, kindred to that which was before the subject of contemplation, is gradually produced, and does itself actually exist in the mind … but the emotion, of whatever kind and in whatever degree, from various causes is qualified by various pleasures, so that in describing any passions whatsoever, which are voluntarily described, the mind will upon the whole be in a state of enjoyment.”
…and tranquility can be found in many places but for many people, while frequently elusive, it is most thoroughly attained on the water. For me, emotion contemplated on the water brings my mind, upon the whole, to a powerful state of enjoyment. Probably for you too…