http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/ This fly fishing forum consists of fly fishing techniques, advice, tips, news, gear reviews and fly fishing discussions among fellow anglers. en Fri, 24 May 2013 00:07:09 GMT vBulletin 30 http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/images/misc/flyfishing_red/rss.jpg http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/ http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/262-more-musings.html Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:56:16 GMT I miss my Kids. Someone, a friend told me I would get over the "Empty Nest" syndrome soon enough. I really hope I don't. I mean sure it hurts to miss them, but off all the things I have done in this world, being a Parent has been the best thing, the most enjoyable and rewarding thing, but it also came with its share of pain and hurt. I remember another friend telling us to stop having children because we were giving pregnancy a bad name. We were a High Risk pregnancy situation so things were always tense until, well actually for weeks and months afterwards.
I know this may sound foolish but I did not truly understand what love was until I looked my newborn Daughter in the eyes. She was very sick, they did not think she would live out the day, but when she looked at me for the first time I knew that no matter what, I would help her live.
My next Daughter was healthy at birth then my Son was born with a lung issue. The Doctors and Nurses assured me that he would be ookay but they flew him to a Children's Hospital so there was little solice.
I remember when he came home he was on oxygen for a few weeks and I used to sit in this big rocking chair and rock him to sleep. If I fell asleep first he would grunt and wake me up. Little bugger would look smug I am certain.
I focused on doing whatever I could to be a good Dad. I had been a bad father in a previous marriage, too young, too immature, but I knew I was getting another chance and I wanted to make things good for my kids. Over the years I believed I succeeded in doing everything that I could to give my children a good life. We took them fishing, camping hiking. I almost never missed a school function. I am sure their Teachers thought I was unemployed but my job gave me the ability to attend almost whenever I wanted to.
During this time I started trying to find a relationship with my Daughter from my first marriage and today I have a better one with her as well. I have four Grandchildren by her and now I am working on getting to know them as well.
When my second marriage went bad, my now ex wife sought to alienate me from my children, she told them many things about me that were not true in order to have them on her side. My Daughter's bought into it for a time but my Son did not. I think there is a bond between Daughter's and Mother's that is very strong. I called her on it, but it still took a couple of years for my girls to start talking to me again. In all that time, if I knew they needed something I tried to make sure they got it. I loved them, it is unconditional what else could I do.
Of all the things I have done in this world the most worthwhile thing has been raising my children and if it hurts a little when I think of them and they have gone to have their own lives, then so be it. I want to feel it because it reminds me of what is important in this world, in my life. The only legacy I will ever leave behind that means anything, is my children. ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/262-more-musings.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/251-thoughts-my-mind.html Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:50:01 GMT So it has been a while since I posted last, but I have to be in the right frame of mind to say anything anywhere. Over the last couple of years I have been debating the relationship I had or have with God......sorry I do not like that word, it carries too many negative connotations for me but... So it has been a while since I posted last, but I have to be in the right frame of mind to say anything anywhere.
Over the last couple of years I have been debating the relationship I had or have with God......sorry I do not like that word, it carries too many negative connotations for me but people refer to him as God, I think of "him" as an entity that is not He or She, does not adust all of our lives individually all of the time. I believe we have the freedom to create our own destiny and to come to have a relationship with "God" should we wish. At least to me it seems like it would have to be this way for our lives to mean much of anything.
I was recently made aware or rather reminded of the existence of a higher power,m attending a Church I like and conversing with a Pastor as I come to terms with my thoughts. I like this guy because he does not spend a second persuading me he listens and in my own words I find answeres, in the Sermons at Church I find my own messages not neccessarily that which is given that day.
Okay so by some standards I live in sin with Judy and I intend to rememdy that very soon, but meanwhile she and I are subject to some criticism by her friends. Friends who have children living in sin or friends who think she should not have a relationship because she had a terrible accident a few years ago and though she recovered they do not give her credit for her ability to overcome adversity. They dare not face me, but they made sly comments to her, however they have misread Judy. She has incredible strength of will and does not suffer these comments, apparently I am important enough to fight for and Judy's faith in God is enough to cause me to look again at where I want to be.
I go to Church for myself, not for her friends and I take from Church what I want, not what others want me to take. Can Human's never just let things be simple? Must we personalize and complicate everything? Thank goodness I have outside interests or I might get really angry, I am my own person. Funny, one of the sermons I listened to said that "Jesus was different and walked his own path." I liked that, I thought 'I could like this guy, that I would fish with him and listen to what he has to say." So I continue my journey, walking a path of my own following a Man I would like to have fished with. ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/251-thoughts-my-mind.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/246-year-month.html Sat, 09 Feb 2013 19:37:37 GMT I have been ill for a year, one thing or another but the largest issue was an intestinal issue that started February last year and ended about December I think. Then I had fallout from that which will require surgery and the last two weeks I have had the cold from Hell. I am feeling better though... I have been ill for a year, one thing or another but the largest issue was an intestinal issue that started February last year and ended about December I think. Then I had fallout from that which will require surgery and the last two weeks I have had the cold from Hell. I am feeling better though and I have great hope for 2013.
I talk alot about being good to each other, about Humanity and relationships, but I do like fishing now and then LOL actually way more than that.
I have caught large fish, small fish medium fish and I loved catching them all. I may have Zen moments on any water and I certainly enjoy myself but I have to admit there is nothing like the power of a large healthy fish when it decides it doesn't like being hooked to anything and it leaves. Yep I like catching all fish but the adrenaline rush from a big fish is pretty uplifting. Sure maybe not everybody likes to admit this but hey I will start with this admission and maybe others will follow. I mean how can we not like that feeling, line taking, tail walking multiple jumps and the sound of a screeaming reel? I won't own a reel that is totally silent, sorry I love that sound, it is almost a drug to me. What can be better than that sound? I have it as a ring tone for my fishing buddies.
Okay and this thing about "Traditional" there are some out there who scoff if you are not a traditional fly fisher.....bur wait! If anyone claims to be traditional and scoffs at those who "are not" they better be using a rod composed of 2 parts winter cured hickory and one part cured willow, then a horsehair line, horsetail leader and wet flies. Wet flies cam along before dry flies. If you aren't using this then you have succumbed to modern or more odern technology, cane, bamboo was an inprovement over the "Traditional" rods, silk lines were tougher and easier to get that a horsehair line. Horsehair lines were so difficult to make that they were cared for and passed from Father to Son.
The most important thing though is not to let these differences divide us, "Traditional, Modern or Tenkara we are all brothers and sisters on the water and we all want the same thing, clean waters and good fish populations.
That's all I got this morning, off to my tying bench for a bit.... ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/246-year-month.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/243-more-myself.html Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:49:41 GMT It is easier to write my own thoughts here than to speak them out Loud. My Girlfriend Judy gets ther out loud part, she has my heart she listens, she renders no judgement at all she knows how to listen to me and that is not easy, sometimes I never shut up but it does not seem to matter, I love her... It is easier to write my own thoughts here than to speak them out Loud. My Girlfriend Judy gets ther out loud part, she has my heart she listens, she renders no judgement at all she knows how to listen to me and that is not easy, sometimes I never shut up but it does not seem to matter, I love her to pieces, she was sent to me to save me from myself I believe.
Someone asked about contributions to Project Healing Waters. The American folks can donate through their website they are Project Healing Waters Inc. For Canadians they can donate through our website Project Healing Waters Canada.ca
The Americans should donate through the Inc. becaue it goes to American Soldiers and as well you get a tax receipt.
Something I have learned from all of what I have done is what unconditional love is. You know the saying, "Be the person your dog thinks you are?" Well that is damned near impossible but trying is kind of mind expanding.
There was at some point for me the knowledge that I care for all living things, my fellow man no matter who you are, all living creatures. Not to say I won't hunt or fish but life should respect life. Respect what you eat, respect the life that runs around in circles when you come home, the life that lays eggs for breakfast LOL yeah I respect all life.
I love Humanity but I am filled with sadness at times that it cannot love itself. You know people we meet who we don't like, people we meet who we automatically like. Our Governemts spend quite a bit of time demeaning the lives of some groups be they handicapped (don't like that word), aging or criminal. I want the best for all of them. Each one of us is born on this earth (now is not the time to tell me you were not) we all started as children from Terrorist to Mother Theresa. At some point, we were children looking for the fun in life, trusting input from our Families, friends and Mentors. Some of whom have been equally as damaged by others who have been and so on.
I do not preach to love even the worst terrorist or criminal, but I look behind to see the child he or she used to be and wonder how? As Jim Croce once wrote "We say we love the Baby, but we crucify the Man."
I have no answer to anything, these are my own musings.
When my Brother was shot and killed by a Hitch Hiker I felt anger, total hate. I would have shot the bugger right there if they had let me. The more I looked into his past though I found that he too had been deserted, left to slip between the cracks as a child. All the signs were there when he was a young child why did nobody step in and help prevent the future that was it woulld seem, inevitable? Are they not as guilty as he? A question I ponder often. Do I hate him today? No, he is still in jail and may never see the light of freedom again which is something here in Canada.
I rid myself of hate, I forgave the boy for what he did, I may have forgiven the man as well but I think of the boy he used to be and at some point someone could have stepped in and saved him and several other people he killed as well. I can forgive that little boy and divest myself of hate for the man.
I love all of you out there. I love listening to you talk through your posts, I want the best for all of you even if we have never met I want happiness to find you all and well for me, it has come often on a fly line.
One day my 3 year old daughter and I were sitting in the rain fishing (don't ask how long ago that was). She looked up and said to me "I am so glad you are my Dad." I was thankful it was raining.
I have hope for us somehow, though at times it is faint. I see our strengths as a race and of course I see weaknesses. We can be better, we have that ability. I hope that as a race we are brought to realize that we all breathe the same air and live on the same beautiful, amazing rock. That together as Human Beings we could work together to make this an even more amazing place to live our lives. I hope I have not come across as judgemental. I have my days when I experience dislike and impatience. Where I get angy and maybe even a bit vengeful but at the end of the day I remember that we are all trying to get thorugh our lives the best we can, raise our familiies and find love. I remember this of all of you and myself. Talk to you later.... ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/243-more-myself.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/242-path-i-am-walking.html Sat, 12 Jan 2013 05:59:53 GMT Hey well I am going to give this another try. Be prepared though if you actually read this, I often wander away from fly fishing and ponder humanity. Mind you to be fair my time on the water gives me clarity of thought to pursue my musings. Ever since I began Project Healing Waters Canada I have... Hey well I am going to give this another try. Be prepared though if you actually read this, I often wander away from fly fishing and ponder humanity. Mind you to be fair my time on the water gives me clarity of thought to pursue my musings.
Ever since I began Project Healing Waters Canada I have been learning much about myself and then last year I found out a few things I never knew about me. One is that I do have a breaking point, I always say I am tougher than I look but I found my breaking point amidst sickness, pain and no hope I found it.
At that point, the lowest point I also found out that I was not forgotten. I believe in a Higher Power, name that Power God, or what you want but I was turned back from the brink of destruction by a voice that tolkd me I was not alone. I am not a Biblical Christian, I make no apologies for that, seems to me anything Man touches is perverted or twisted to our own thoughts and means so I follow my heart and what words that Christ himself left with us. I don't care if he was the Son of God or something else, what he taught us was that we should be good to each other. One simple thought, one simple request that, if acted upon would make this world the Eden God meant it to be.
I blog for me, so if you don't like what I say I respect that but please respect my own views of the world as well. Take care out there until next time. ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/242-path-i-am-walking.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/36-its-been-while.html Sun, 04 Apr 2010 18:33:38 GMT Yep it has been a while, no doubt, but as I said I am not great at this. I have been working steadily with the Board of Directors of Project Healing Waters Canada, to get programs up and running as well as to work on our funding processes. We have about twenty soldiers in programs right now,... Yep it has been a while, no doubt, but as I said I am not great at this.
I have been working steadily with the Board of Directors of Project Healing Waters Canada, to get programs up and running as well as to work on our funding processes.
We have about twenty soldiers in programs right now, which may not sound like much, but with the process here in Canada it is a great landmark for us. There is more coming faster and we anticipate doubling our size shortly.
The folks from this community raised money and bought Franco Vivarelli reels for Project Healing Waters in the U.S.
Ed sent us one of them and this year it will be making a difference in the life of one fellow in Calgary Alberta. More on that in the regular forum when I can post pictures and a proper story.
I wonder if you all realize how much good you folks did when you took on that endeavour.
I had surgery recently and got to stay home from work for a while. I was getting used to it but now I am back on the job again.
I recently had to pack up my tying stuff which took two days. I am renovating the basement and the upstairs so goodbye fly tying for awhile.
Spring is here, some of the water shows promises of softening, so I hope to post pictures of fish soon.....Kerry ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/36-its-been-while.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/28-update.html Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:19:55 GMT Hey I told you I sucked at this! I was at the Calgary Fly Fishing Show for Jan. 22,23 and 24th. Our goal was to raise awareness for Project Healing Waters Canada. Our hopes are to get the word to Canadian troops who are at home recovering or learning to deal with anything from loss of limbs to... Hey I told you I sucked at this!
I was at the Calgary Fly Fishing Show for Jan. 22,23 and 24th.
Our goal was to raise awareness for Project Healing Waters Canada. Our hopes are to get the word to Canadian troops who are at home recovering or learning to deal with anything from loss of limbs to PTSD and everything in between. So hey if you have an avenue in Canada, to let people know we exist please do so. Our website is www.projecthealingwaters.ca
The show was a huge success for us! We found people who are actively helping already. One fellow a retired Lcol from Canadian Armed Forces is going to set up a trip for the troops in 2011. This will probably involve a combined Canadian/American presence like the one we are having in July that is organized by Project Healing Waters Inc. through Mark Snyder who has organized it for two years previously.
Another offer of help came from a rod manufacturer and many other people that we met and spoke to at the show.
There is lots to do between now and Spring that is for sure!
Tomorrow I am off to CFB Edmonton where I am teaching a couple of soldiers more casting. There is a desire in them to accomplish something. It seems to be ingrained, "don't just sit there do something, anything, but don't just sit."
Take care all, talk to you again soon. ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/28-update.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/27-week.html Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:54:10 GMT Well this week I accomplished a few things. I got the application to Canada Revenue done and will be mailing it out today, YIPPPEEEE!!! I delegated some stuff to one of the Board members so I have given up a bit of control. I also registered one of our soldiers for the Healing on the Albani trip... Well this week I accomplished a few things. I got the application to Canada Revenue done and will be mailing it out today, YIPPPEEEE!!!
I delegated some stuff to one of the Board members so I have given up a bit of control. I also registered one of our soldiers for the Healing on the Albani trip in July. He will be going to fish in Northern Ontario, all expenses paid, it should be a great trip!
Things are looking up and I am feeling much better about life in general.
I have been tying swap flies and have two sets ready to go. Weather warmed up yesterday to 0 degrees, thank goodness!
Talk to you later.:) ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/27-week.html http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/26-getting-started.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:35:04 GMT I don't blog. I mean I shouldn't Blog. I start off with great enthusiasm and then sort of peter out. Much like a Spring salmon when it is hooked in the salt! Well hey I had to liken it to something other than a three toed sloth in January.:)
I am starting out in 2010, so far behind things that I can see my butt disappearing around the corner up ahead.
I am the Founder and President of the newly created Project Healing Waters Canada. Ed Nicholson who is the Founder and President of Project Healing Waters Inc. in Washington D.C. gave me the nod about three years ago, to try and create a Canadian entity. What Ed didn't tell me was how much work was ahead of me and that it was pretty much non-stop.
I have a great Board of Directors here and I am trying to stop being the control freak that I am and let them do stuff for me and thus PHWC.
We are applying for Charitable Status Federally and that has been an immense amount of work as well.
Canada is far more secretive about it's soldiers and finding access to wounded soldiers coming back from Afghanistan is lots of work and very frustrating. We are finding them.....or rather they are slowly finding us, but it is a slow process and to be honest I lay awake at night wondering if what I am doing, is doing anyone any good. More to the point, will it ever do anyone any good?
I suppose that if I had known what was ahead I would have just gone fishing, so Ed was pretty shrewd it would seem.
I ask myself every day, "why am I doing this?" Is it for personal glory? Is it because I really believe that as Humans we have a responsibility to each other no matter where we live? Is it because of something my brother did for me before he was murdered? If you read my signature on my posts you will understand that thought.
Maybe I think there is too little kindness in the world, maybe what I am doing is like peeing in the ocean and looking for a temperature change. I have no idea.
I think if I figure it out I won't have a reason to keep pursuing PHWC anymore.
At this point though, there are people watching me to see if I will fail. They are watching to see if I have the staying power and if I engender enough loyalty from the Board, to actually hang in there and keep plugging until it happens.
I would really like to run into one person who I do not know, who will tell me that what I am doing is worthwhile.
Maybe that is egocentric I don't know.
Winter up here has the ability to make you kind of introspective.
This place, Theflyfishingforum.com is full of great people who do not bicker and in-fight. I like it here, it keeps me a bit grounded and allows me to be reactive in a positive way.
I suffer from a lack of patience with stupid people and I tend to shoot from the lip, so creating PHWC has made me better at dealing with people who are......how to say this, less than they think they are?
I am outspoken on matters of principle. I do not tolerate racism, sexism anywhere within my space. I believe in the equality of all people and I believe that I need to step up to the plate so that a few others will follow. Or I need to shut up, step down and go fishing quietly......but then Ray would hunt me down and shoot me. Perhaps he should have left me in that snowbank a couple of years ago, he could have enjoyed his retirement and I would have given up and gone fishing some more.
Thanks for listening, see you in a few days.:) ]]> Kerry Pitt http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/blogs/kerry-pitt/26-getting-started.html