Fly Tying as ritual
When you think about it, there are very few rituals in everyday life that are practiced by all human beings. A few that come to mind are brushing teeth, showering, and grooming. The obvious ones are eating and sleeping. When I think of creative rituals, they are few and far between. If you are an illustrator and painter, as I am, these practices happen every day for me, but fly-tying is also my everyday ritual. It may last only 30 minutes or a few hours, but it happens every single day. It is an important ritual for me and has been for decades. It recalibrates my brain, promotes focus, and, most of all, is a hit of endorphins that gives me a sense of accomplishment and calm daily. If all else fails in a single day, fly tying will cleanse my soul so I can face adversity in daily life. At the fly-tying bench, you are the master and commander on a macro level. Often, your window is only a few centimeters wide, and time stands still in this tiny portal. Your heart rate becomes very low, and for myself, what happens on the hook can be very, very hypnotic. When practiced daily, this becomes more than fly tying; it becomes a ritual in introducing yourself to yourself.
~Clint Bova www.cjbovarods.com
