A Trout is a Moment of Beauty Known Only to Those Who Seek It…

Do you think fly fishing has made you a better observer? I know it has contributed to making me a better observer and better at processing what I see. It’s not surprising that in Kenny’s fly fishing classes, as well as in the ALTAR Fly Fishing Retreats they stress the importance of observing what’s going on stream side before just casting. In fact, the section of stream we plan to fish should itself tell us what methods might be most appropriate. Is it a long run, a stretch of riffles, is the water deep or shallow, are there boulders and pocket water? It doesn’t take an expert to know that the fish are not equally distributed across the stream. Are there areas that the fish might feel more secure? Which areas are high confidence areas where on that day a trout might feel safe and secure and for what reasons?

Catching a fish also often requires “matching the hatch” and presenting an artificial fly exactly where a fish is hopefully feeding. Successful fly fishers are forced to actively study nature rather than passively watch it.

Fly fishing should hone your observational skills in several distinct ways:

• Reading the Water: You learn to scan the surface for subtle clues, like eddies that might trap food or the specific ripples of a rising fish.
• Entomology: Anglers must observe what insects are hatching, noting their specific size, color, and behavior so they can tie on the correct imitation.
• Spotting Fish: Over time, you train your eyes to see past water glare and spot the shapes, shadows, or flashes of fish moving in the riverbed.
• Environmental Awareness: You naturally begin to pay closer attention to weather patterns, wind direction, and sunlight, as these all dictate how, when, and where fish will feed.

Ultimately, this hyper-focus transforms the way you interact with your environment. You aren’t just looking at the scenery; you are actively deconstructing it and looking for patterns.

This deconstructing analysis got me thinking beyond the stream—way beyond! What about the planet and the universe? I recently read this in a Legacy Builders Study regarding the Sovereignty of God:

The Sovereignty of God Over Creation and Nature: The earth hangs on nothing. It orbits a star ninety-three million miles away at a speed of sixty-seven thousand miles per hour, tilted at approximately 23.4 degrees, producing seasons that arrive on schedule century after century. That tilt does not hold by accident, the orbit does not remain within its life-sustaining path by chance, and the distance does not fluctuate beyond the margins God has appointed for life on the surface. If the earth’s conditions shifted beyond those margins, the world would become hostile to life. Hundreds of variables sustain the conditions under which a single blade of grass can grow, and every one of them remains under the providential rule of God.

Paul identifies what holds it in place: “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). The phrase “hold together” means to be sustained in a unified state. The universe does not sustain itself. The forces that bind atoms together, the gravitational pull that keeps planets in orbit, the laws that govern thermodynamics and electromagnetism, all of these persist because the Son of God actively maintains and directs them.

Reading that reminded me of just how much I take for granted. Don’t you think giving thanks for God’s beautiful creation could be a beautiful grounding practice? It can shift your focus from life’s daily stresses to the wonder and gifts surrounding you. It’s an intentional rhythm of recognizing the divine handiwork in the world, cultivating deep peace, and reflecting on the beauty of the universe.

Gratitude isn’t just for grand vistas; it’s about seeing the sacred in the ordinary —including your next day on the upper Meramec River, or the Current River, or the Eleven Point River, or the Niangua River, or Spring Creek, or the North Fork of the White River.

• It can involve appreciating nature’s details: small wonders like a morning breeze, blooming flowers, the hatch, the complexity of aquatic insects and animal life.
• It can involve appreciating human creativity: thanking God for the gifts he has given us like music, art, and the fly fishing and fly tying skills of those around us.
• It can involve appreciating everyday provisions: Pausing to be thankful for simple necessities like food, water, the warmth of the sun, and a vehicle to get us to the stream.

I guess I’m writing this, as much as anything, as one way to say thanks to God for all the blessings—seen and unseen—that he has provided. And also a reminder to myself to stop, observe and give thanks—rather than take for granted—for the countless blessings that surround me.

It’s been said, trout don’t live in ugly places. It’s a fact that they live in pristine, beautiful, scenic streams and wild environments. In fact, fly fishing is part of the Call of the Wild for me—and I give thanks to God not only for the beauty I’ve mentioned, but also because he has put the Call of the Wild in my heart.

There are many great quotes regarding trout fishing and fly fishing. This is one of my favorites: A trout is a moment of beauty known only to those who seek it. I think I like it because it reminds me to keep on fly fishing, and to keep on introducing family and friends to fly fishing, and to keep on giving thanks to The Creator of the Universe, not only for the big things, but also for the little things.

By the way, have you been reading the waters of life to find the meaning of your life? If so, keep looking by choosing to look in the most fishy-looking water. And to state the obvious: You can’t catch fish if you don’t go fishing. I think the same principles hold true for the quest for real meaning—and a legacy worth leaving. Do you think truly examining your life and actively asking more questions might help?

Feel free to share your thoughts here on the FATC FORUM about this or about whatever is on your mind. Remember our motto: It’s not just about the fly fishing. By the way, it’s ok to let your passion show—whether it’s about fly fishing, fly tying or maybe even more so—if it’s about God.

In case you’re wondering, I’m planning on facilitating another annual FATC BOOK STUDY. It will be 6 consecutive Wednesday evenings starting on September 9, 2026. The book will be THE MEANING OF YOUR LIFE —Finding Purpose In An Age of Emptiness by Arthur C. Brooks. But don’t wait till then to actively think about and cultivate your desire for meaning, significance and a story worth leaving.

John Muckerman

FATC Inspirational and Leadership Lead