Undoubtedly these are weird times and this post is somewhat of a departure from the daily flow of fly fishing content that I typically like to provide. My real life work is in law enforcement and we're working through the coronavirus pandemic cautiously while continuing to provide police services to our town. There are a lot of things to consider and this will go down in my career as another incident that had a global impact but required a local response. My guess is that how we look at public health and virus vaccination will likely never be the same.
What might be lost while you frantically stockpile groceries, do a quick study on what it takes to be a home school teacher to your kids all the while figuring out your "social distancing" plan, is that your local specialty shops are already feeling a marked downturn in their business. They are left wondering where they will be tomorrow, next week or when this all ends. It could be devastating.
So, my suggestion in all of this is "Think Local, Support Local and Shop Local". Figure out ways to share what your small shops and restaurants are doing. Share their updates, menus and promotions through your social media. Use your voice to amplify theirs.
I'm trying to do my part and will continue to do so. Yesterday I had lunch meeting at a sandwich shop downtown, stopped in at a brew pub to cancel a catering order that we had lined up for an event planned for tonight that's been postponed, went to the barbershop for a haircut, picked up my resoled Danner work boots from the local cobbler and then to our mechanic to take care of a bill for maintenance done on our Element. Later in the afternoon I circled back for a couple pizzas from the brew pub to take home for our family for dinner.
I'm not going to get all soapbox on you but as we move through the next couple weeks, to what some are saying could last several months, focus on local where you can. Look out for your neighbors. Check in on your elderly family and friends. Make smart decisions about your health and take care of yourself and your family.
If you have a fly shop in town, stop in and restock your tying materials, pick up some flies for the upcoming spring and summer, consider a new fly rod, reel or fly line, book a future guide trip or heck, just get a gift card. Also, while you're in a giving mood, look out for the staff and bring them lunch and a few beers. Who doesn't like tacos and a cold suitcase of beer. No doubt, it'll be appreciated.
Lastly, the image in this post was lifted from the Facebook page of Josh Mills of Chucking Line and Chasing Tail. He's the one responsible for #DozenForDorian and #DozenForDownUnder. Millsy's a thinker, an organizer and these four sentences make a lot sense to me right now. He's already going a little stir crazy and up to some fly tying hijinks on Instagram with organizing some live tying sessions nightly that should be worth checking out.
Take Millsy's advice and "NOW GO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED."
P.S. This is also a good time to think about and consider ordering from your favorite online small shops too. That means rod builders, reel makers, artists, guides, photographers, fly tiers, musicians, tool and leather makers, movie makers, etc. The list goes on. They could all use a little bump forward right now too.
What might be lost while you frantically stockpile groceries, do a quick study on what it takes to be a home school teacher to your kids all the while figuring out your "social distancing" plan, is that your local specialty shops are already feeling a marked downturn in their business. They are left wondering where they will be tomorrow, next week or when this all ends. It could be devastating.
So, my suggestion in all of this is "Think Local, Support Local and Shop Local". Figure out ways to share what your small shops and restaurants are doing. Share their updates, menus and promotions through your social media. Use your voice to amplify theirs.
I'm trying to do my part and will continue to do so. Yesterday I had lunch meeting at a sandwich shop downtown, stopped in at a brew pub to cancel a catering order that we had lined up for an event planned for tonight that's been postponed, went to the barbershop for a haircut, picked up my resoled Danner work boots from the local cobbler and then to our mechanic to take care of a bill for maintenance done on our Element. Later in the afternoon I circled back for a couple pizzas from the brew pub to take home for our family for dinner.
I'm not going to get all soapbox on you but as we move through the next couple weeks, to what some are saying could last several months, focus on local where you can. Look out for your neighbors. Check in on your elderly family and friends. Make smart decisions about your health and take care of yourself and your family.
If you have a fly shop in town, stop in and restock your tying materials, pick up some flies for the upcoming spring and summer, consider a new fly rod, reel or fly line, book a future guide trip or heck, just get a gift card. Also, while you're in a giving mood, look out for the staff and bring them lunch and a few beers. Who doesn't like tacos and a cold suitcase of beer. No doubt, it'll be appreciated.
Lastly, the image in this post was lifted from the Facebook page of Josh Mills of Chucking Line and Chasing Tail. He's the one responsible for #DozenForDorian and #DozenForDownUnder. Millsy's a thinker, an organizer and these four sentences make a lot sense to me right now. He's already going a little stir crazy and up to some fly tying hijinks on Instagram with organizing some live tying sessions nightly that should be worth checking out.
Take Millsy's advice and "NOW GO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED."
P.S. This is also a good time to think about and consider ordering from your favorite online small shops too. That means rod builders, reel makers, artists, guides, photographers, fly tiers, musicians, tool and leather makers, movie makers, etc. The list goes on. They could all use a little bump forward right now too.
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