It’s been about three months since my last fishing outing, which is normal when you start the holiday season with Halloween and stretch it into January as you pass by Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Fishing isn’t much of a priority during these months. Fortunately the proximity of Cold Creek Pond allows for a few hours of it once in a while. But beyond the convenience of Cold Creek, my early exploration of angling with a fly rod was conducted on its treasured headwaters. For that reason alone, it holds a very special place in my memory (visit this post for a glimpse of that small creek fly fishing: https://www.fisherdad.com/2006/11/04/cold-creek-clark-co-nv/).
I cherish my days on Cold Creek Pond. It’s become my Las Vegas version of “On Golden Pond.” The act of fishing, especially with my Sweetgrass fly rod, is always meditative, reflective, and healing. It’s seldom about the fishing itself, but rather about the state of mind it allows me to reach. I am thankful to the Lord for giving me a hobby and venue that creates so much peace and pleasure, especially in my senior years.
A white pickup truck arrived as I was stringing up my fly rod and tying on my first fly. Two young men emergered to enjoy some fishing. I don’t think they were father and son, but they could have been brothers. It became apparent that the older one was teaching the younger one about fishing.
The pond was stocked with 992 Rainbow trout on November 10, 2025. Despite my sentimenal description of Cold Creek, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) manages it like an urban pond, which is to say that it’s designed to put food on the table, as well as being a pleasant fishing venue. Those who watch the NDOW stocking reports will descend upon the pond, and I know that my fly casting will be impaired by the crowd, not to mention my peace of mind. By waiting a couple months after the stocking the trout will be fewer and harder to catch, which generally translates into anglers who are looking for solitude and relaxation, like me.
After I hooked two trout, the older man walked over to ask me what I was fishing with. To my surprise, he had never heard of “fly” fishing, let alone observe someone casting a fly rod. I explained what fly casting was about, showing him the line, leader, and the tiny Dansel nymph fly with which I was finally experiencing some success. I’m not sure if he walked away amazed by it all, or if he walked away feeling pitty for my folly.
Regardless of what the man thought of my approach towards angling, I personally enjoyed our talk. I decided it was time to go home after I landed my third trout. So I walked over to talk with them abount the structure of the pond and where more of the remaining stocked trout might be found. I told them to try the deeper north edge of the pond. I was pleased for them when I noticed they moved their chairs to the place I suggested. I sure hope they caught a couple of nice trout.
My wife and I were having an interesting conversation with our teenage daughter the other night. She expressed concern about finding a good marriage partner when she’s ready. She is observant of the relationship between my wife and I, and she wonders if her marriage will be as deep and fulfilling as ours. Of course, we have our marital arguments and irritations, but our love remains rich and faithful. We believe the Lord destined us to be a marriage team. I am pleased that our daughter can see past our marriage weaknesses and feel our strong, enduring love for each other. I assured her that she will find a “good man” to marry someday, and the best way to find him is to be a “good woman.” I believe she understood what that entailed.
When my wife and I started our young courtship, we both expressed a desire to have a larger than usual family. That, and our desire to own a suitably sized home, were our two most significant goals. We didn’t fully understand what achieving those goals would entail, but we grew in faith that the Lord was preparing us for parenthood. My wife’s degree and experience in teaching elementary special education were instrumental in the success of our six children’s primary education, which carried through to secondary and higher education. She sacrificed her teaching career to serve her children as a stay-at-home mom.
Our parenting was far from perfect (what set of parents can be perfect?), but I don’t believe our rough spots invalidate our overall success. I mention my family because as much as I enjoy my angling hobby and the pleasure and peace it provides, raising up our six children in the envelope of a loving marriage that tries to serve the Lord is my proudest accomplishment.
My angling adventures helped me focus on what is important in my life. They not only recharged my battery, but they also provided quiet time to listen to the Holy Spirit so I could course correct my wrong turns.
We have a photo on our foyer table of our six children, and on the mat is this verse:
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Psalms 127:3-5
