first day back on the water

yesterday was my first day back on the water sense i re-busted my shoulder, not gonna lie the day was very hard to get through, i took 7 advil during the trip and that seemed to thin my blood out, making me crazy cold all day. It was bitter sweet for me, the pain was a constant reminder of how blessed i am to be guiding and how short lived my future is going to be as a guide. I love the smell and stillness of the river in the snow, when at anchor the light gush of water singing past my oars and anchor line, only to be silenced as we pull anchor. floating on to another spot, listing to the sound of stillness, hearts filled with anticipation of the day. Watching the bald eagle as she soars down river disappearing into the heavy, yet melodic falling veil of snow. This is a common winter day of guiding for me, as a front came in with a changing low that pushed the fish to the bottom, High water from snow melt the week before, two passionate anglers knowing and hoping there guide wont fail to put them on fish and a guide that loves his job even if he cant make ends meet any longer doing it, "theirs nothing else i am to far in to quit". I guide for my clients now, i love them as friends, i pray for there families, that there business and jobs would be blessed, that a wife would not die of cancer, for there son fighting in Iraq, or the advice one might give me to make me a better husband or guide. this is why and only why i can quit till God shuts the door, trust me being a guide for this kid is not all fun and games, its life, purpose, humbling, passion and work. We got one fish yesterday just before snow fall, a 7lb atlantic salmon in the upper river, we all hoped for more, but we must remember that this day, was the day we were given and it was good. Its healthy not to get what we want all the time, it makes us adjust our perspective if we dare, its so easy to see the negative over the positive, i am guilty of doing that to often are you.