How did this so slowly evolve without some alarm bell being activated? I recently found myself taking a break during the course of a short four hour window of fishing. I sat down on a bench and took in the river. No edgy energy. No sense of urgency. I just sat there and took it in.

It seems like just yesterday that I hit the river at first light and fished all day with seldom a break for lunch. I had boundless energy. I recall the slightly older gents I fished with barely got in an hour or two and they would retreat to sit and socialize shore side. Why, I wondered? We were burning daylight and opportunities. Why would anyone squander this precious time on the water?

Now, something has changed. Less testosterone? Less serotonin? Injuries? I have always appreciated nature and had an eye for the beauty near and far from the water, but took it in while intensely focused on fishing. So, is seems to be this change is upon me. I sense it is not a passing phase, but rather a transition. Embrace it? Like so many things in life, at my age, you adapt and strive for a positive attitude. Hell, what’s next…naps on camping trips? It’s all good.