How did you get into fishing?
Similar to Kelsey, fly fishing found its way into my life when I needed it most. Last summer was full of uncertainty and one thing I could count on was the sunrise, the ocean, and Kelsey and Charlie. I can remember setting my alarm and thinking “there is no way I’ll be able to wake up that early!” I had been fly fishing before, but that summer was the first time I dedicated myself to learning the craft and intricate skill involved in fly fishing. Charlie and Kelsey welcomed me on the water without a hint of judgement toward my novice abilities. They doled out endless patience and many flies as I had an initial tendency of losing them on the rocks!
Fly fishing has come to represent how I hope to interact with the world and future patients. Even on days when we don’t catch any fish, an unsuccessful fishing day, I still have an absolute blast with these two ladies. I still walk off the water with a smile on my face and a growing passion to try again the next day. In the medical profession there will undoubtedly be tough days and failures. I will choose to view these as learning experiences and opportunities to learn and fuel my passion rather than squelch it. The striped bass, in a way, represents my future patients. I care so deeply about protecting this fishery and have stood up for conservation since I’ve joined the Maine fishing community. This is exactly how I expect to advocate for my future patients when they are in need of a specialist referral or in a battle with an insurance company.
I wholeheartedly believe one must take care of themselves before they can adequately take care of others. Fly fishing is how I take care of myself and my mental health and wellness. Fishing gets me outside in the fresh air, appreciating the beautiful coast of Maine when I could otherwise study at my desk all day. The beautiful thing about fishing is that it's both an individual sport and a group activity. We will chat and catch up as we walk out to our fishing spot, but then we each pick a rock or mound of sand in the shallows and begin casting. Often these perches are too far apart to continue a conversation, which allows us each time to ourselves to sort through our thoughts, often letting them go out into the ocean and grounding ourselves in the moment. I am recharged after our fishing missions and rejuvenated to hit the books with renewed passion and realized value for my place in the medical profession.
"I wholeheartedly believe one must take care of themselves before they can adequately take care of others.