An Inflection Point

Finding Higher Ground in Patagonia

We all know that it’s important to have hobbies. Without diversions there’s a strong chance of getting crushed by the weight of the responsibilities of our adult lives. As we get older we start to question if it is too late to get into golf or tennis, fishing or whatever interests you. That’s a valid point, but no matter our age we shouldn’t fear learning something new.

Regardless of when you start we will reach some stage in every activity where we begin to fully understand what it takes to get good. That juncture is an inflection point where we have to decide to go all-in or abandon ship. After we went to Argentina I realized I’m at that key moment in my fishing journey.

Last Spring I went to Scotland with Coggins. He invited me in a sort of casual way and I think I surprised him by quickly accepting. The timing just worked out for me (and thankfully for my family) and with little notice I was headed for the Highlands. The purpose of the trip was to fish and Coggins had a house right on the river. I figured I was going to mostly play golf and perhaps spend a day on the water depending on how things came together. As a first for me, I packed waders into my golf travel bag. When I got on the ground the appeal of Scottish golf was too strong and I didn’t fish at all. After I got home I was thinking that my credentials as a fisherman were dubious at best. Dragging fishing gear all the way to Aberdeenshire only to not use it was borderline shameful. I questioned my commitment to being a two sport athlete. What exactly am I doing?