Is it just me or do any of you have meltdowns when you hear the voice of a guide tell you that you’ve got fish in range and it’s time to make a presentation? Maybe it’s because these moments that we live for as anglers affect us so dramatically.
I have fond memories of playing second base in little league. At that time, baseball was everything and, in practice, I played like an all-star. I never missed a ground ball and always made an accurate throw to first. However, when it was game time, I often choked. I look at fly-fishing the same way. When nobody is around, I can make just about any cast I want but the second someone is watching or the second it matters, my mind gets the best of me.
So now I’m a couple weeks out from a trip to film a TV show of all things and to say I’m stressed out is an understatement. I’m going to be on a boat with a very well respected guide, I’ll constantly have a camera in my face and there will even be a second skiff with a cameraman and a producer on it following the action.
I’ve not been on television much, but even in home movies, when the red light of a video camera flashes on, I tend to clam up.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited — after all, it’ll be three days of fishing and I get to hog the deck! Unfortunately, in the case of fishing shows, you only get so many takes. Hopefully I can block the cameras out, focus on the task at hand and make you all proud. If anybody has any tips for me, I’m all ears. Comment below or shoot me an email at editor@flyfishinsalt.com.
