Editorial Introduction

Welcome!

My premier issue unfortunately starts in uncertain times. Covid-19 has changed the world. It has changed everything. It has changed each of us dramatically. But if anything positive has come out of this, it may be that it has allowed us to reflect on the things we love and cherish; things we have taken for granted in the fast paced lifestyles we lived before the quarantines began.

Perhaps as a result, we have learned to recognize the intimate, tangible things in our lives as the things that really matter instead of chasing material goals as the way to achieve the pinnacle of happiness. We have learned to cherish our families, friends, our spiritual, mental and physical health and happiness. After being“locked in”simply being outside in nature, going for a stroll in the park and walking the streams again takes on a whole new meaning.

Our quiet and intimate fly fishing passion for Trout, Salmon and Steelhead takes on a more spiritual journey than ever before. These halcyon days when the art and craft of fly fishing lingered fondly in our minds can be brought back and embody a refreshingly new and more rewarding perspective.

There was a time when fishing magazines were something very special and treasured. I recall that when I was growing up, I would soak up every ounce of fly fishing knowledge I could get my hands on. A time when Ernest Schwiebert, Vince Marinaro, Lee Wulff, Art Lee, Swisher/Richards, Lafontaine, Caucci/Nastassi, Trey Combs, Lani Waller, Dave McMillan and so many other trout / salmon / steelhead talents produced content that was ground-breaking and thought provoking.

It was a time of a great Renaissance in Fly Fishing magazines when every issue was put on coffee tables, nightstands and by the fireplace to be read over-and-over again. When fly fishing was and still is the master of all pastimes: art, sport, science and above all, a passionate journey. They were a time when a rod, reel and fly were artisanal items to be cherished, rather than mere sporting goods. A trip to the river was an emotional and spiritual journey where we never stopped learning about the magic of the natural world, even if we didn’t catch anything. Some days we just watched trout rise knowing that we could never catch or fool them, or we just admired the wildflowers and walked the woods nearby and picked wild mushrooms.

When we finally figured it out and caught the beauty we were after, it was an emotional fulfillment and well earned tactical accomplishment.

My Hallowed Waters Journal hopes to rekindle those feelings and those days of unsurpassed joy. It will hopefully restore an emotional attachment and love for fly fishing – the way it was meant to be.

Welcome aboard your next journey… welcome to Hallowed Waters Journal!