The Broken Fly

a small fly with a big meaning

Some Years ago, I was asked to Demonstrate fly tying at a Kids Fishing Day. we were ust coming out of Covid restrictions so the Tiers were set up on a low stage and we each had a Video screen and a Camera so the kids could see what we were doing from a distance. As the day went on, there was an elderly gentleman admiring my flies. He watched me tie for a bit then went with a group of kids to the river. later he returned with out the kids. I could see them taking part in some of the other activities at the festival. He very quietly wanted to Buy some of my flies. While honored I had to tell him that my flies from that day were not for sale as this was a Trout Unlimited Chapter event and we were there for demonstration only. The gentleman got a sad look. He Then reached into his pocket and took out a jig pattern fly and asked if I could tie one that looked like that. Sure I said but I did not have the right materials with me.

I asked him for an email address to which he replied that he couldn't use a computer. I said "well give me a mailing address and ill send you some." He said he'd give me his sons phone number. A short while later he returned with a slip of paper that had a phone number on it. I was apparent That the Old man couldn't read.

Time has a way of slowing when you offer to do a project especially for free for a stranger. I didn't get the flies tied right away. A few months went by before I tied him a dozen of the jigs. They looked great. I put them in a small box like you get jewelry in. I then tried to call the number on the slip of paper. There was no answer, no voice mail. I put the Flies in my demo case and hung onto them. The next year went by. Then another year. As the event rolled around, I was packing my display gear to take up to the mountain when I came across the dozen jigs. I Instinctively packed them for what i had mentally agreed was the last time. Near the end of the day the Old man showed up. He said Did I remember Him? Yes! I exclaimed and told him if he would come with me to my truck I had something for him. with a little bit of a confused look, he followed me to my truck. I opened my back door and reached into my travel bag and produced the box of a dozen jigs. He reached for his wallet. I said No! these are a gift from me. I explained that I had called the number that i had been given but didn't get an answer and that I had kept them those two years just incase I saw him again.

The old man started to get emotional as his eyes began to well up a bit. He then told me that The number was his son's. His son had passed away suddenly right after the first event. The man then said that he had had a heart attack and that was why he hadn't been there. He then Said That was the first kind thing anyone had done for him in two years. I thanked him and wished him well. I didn't see him There last year. While I always hope for the best I know our life journey has many chance meetings that will change the course of our lives. I hope the gift of a few flies help the man find some peace. I keep the fly on my tying desk as a reminder to always be kind to others. You just may change their journey.

Michael