by Robert Kalebra, ©2025
(Dec. 7, 2025) — The cool water swirling gently around my waders, and I take a moment to fully absorb the scene before me. The world around me is painted in the vibrant hues of fall, with golden yellow and red leaves dancing in the breeze above the riverbank. The old Eastern Hemlock, American Beech, Sweet Birch, White Oak, and Tulip Poplar are ablaze with fall colors, their leaves rustling softly in the wind, creating a symphony of nature’s own making. The air is filled with the sweet scent of fresh earth and fresh water, and as always in rural Alabama, there’s the faintest hint of woodsmoke from a distant chimney somewhere, carrying with it the comforting aroma of a home and hearth for someone.
The river flows lazily before me, its surface broken only by a few gentle riffles upstream. The water is clear and clean, reflecting the shafts of sunlight that penetrate the canopy above, casting divine light upon the water in various places. These beams of light create the impression, as if God Himself is illuminating the path before me, guiding my steps and calling my soul. The water’s surface shimmers and sparkles, inviting me to pause and marvel at the beauty that surrounds me.
As I look around, I notice the pollen and dust floating gently through the shafts of sunlight, creating a mesmerizing dance of tiny particles. It’s as if the very air is alive, filled with the essence of creation. The fall hatch is in full swing, with midgeflies rising from the water’s surface like tiny fireflies in the daytime, their delicate wings glinting in the sunlight. The birds above sing their praises to the Creator, their melodies weaving together in a symphony of nature’s hymns, harmonizing with the rustling leaves and the gentle babble of the river. A peace so real, it defies description.
I take a deep breath, feeling the presence of God all around me. This is His House, and I am humbly standing in His presence, ready to offer my prayers and seek His guidance. The act of fly fishing is more than just a hobby or passion for me; it is a spiritual journey, a time to reflect, pray, and feel God’s presence in the beauty of nature. It is a time to be still and know that He is God and I am small.
Steadying myself against the current I take out my Bible and begin to prepare my prayers and offerings to Him. The act of tying my flies and threading my line becomes a ritual, a way to focus my mind and heart on the task at hand. Each cast is a prayer, a heartfelt offering to God. I seek forgiveness for my shortcomings, guidance for my path, and strength for the journey ahead. In the act of casting my line, I find a tangible way to express my faith and trust in God’s will.
I begin my conversation with my Maker as I whip my rod back then forward, repeating the motion three times, more and more line with each cast forward and release on the third.
“Merciful Father, forgive me of my sins.”
“Guide my heart and soul unto Thee.”
“Cleanse me in Your waters and let not my faith falter.”
“Take my hand in Thine and guide me.”
“Let all I do magnify your Name and Glory.”
“Hear my prayer and feed my soul.”
Letting go of the remaining line in my left hand, I watch my prayers unfurl, and my nymph gently disappears just above some riffles to begin its journey tumbling in the current below. My prayers drift with the waters and pass me by, carried by the river’s gentle flow.
So pulling my line back in with my left hand, raising my rod with my right, I begin again, water mist off my line as it sails through the air sparkling like diamond dust in the shafts of light.
“Father, mold me to Your making and use me for Your Will.”
“May not my will be done but Yours and no other’s.”
“Make me strong in You, Heavenly Father.”
“Make me wise in You, Heavenly Father.”
“Let me not suffer fools.”
“By Your Grace all things are possible.”
“Hear me, Heavenly Father, I call in Thy Son’s name.”
“Find me worthy of Thy Love and Thy Mercy.”
“Let Your light shine not on me but from me.”
“Give me strength and courage to vanquish evil.”
“Make me the man You desire I be.”
My lines soars through the air around me, whispering and dancing to the rhythm of the swings of my rod. Then cast and as if guided by some floating and gentle invisible hand, my loop unfurls before me, laying out upon the water with nary a ripple and beginning its journey back to me.
The little white fuzzy foam strike indicator, the size of a pea, suddenly vanishes under the surface, I raise my rod to tip sharply, seizing the line and setting the hook. The water ripples, splashes and sparkles in the sunlight as a rainbow trout breaches the surface, my nymph secure in its mouth, and I feel a surge of gratitude and humility.
Moments later, I cradle the 14-inch rainbow gently in my hands, feeling its smooth scales and strong body. I admire its vibrant colors and the way it shimmers in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. But as I prepare to release it back into the river, I am reminded of the deeper meaning of this encounter. I release my grip, and God’s answer swims away.
“Thank You, Father for forgiving me my sins.”
“Thank You, Father, for hearing my prayers.”
“Thank You for looking into my heart, finding me worthy enough you would sustain me.”
This is my Church where I come to pray and talk with God in person, and He is always there all around me.
Fly fishing is not about the fish itself or the satisfaction of a successful catch. It’s about the divine message it carries. By allowing this fish to cross my path, God is telling me that He has heard my prayers. He sees the efforts I’ve made, the struggles I’ve endured, and the growth I’ve experienced. He is pleased with my journey and forgives my shortcomings. In providing this sustenance, He acknowledges my hunger—not just for food, but for His presence and guidance.
The fish will indeed nourish my body, but the true nourishment comes from the knowledge that God has deemed me worthy of His provision. This is what I truly seek when I cast my line into the water. It’s not about the thrill of the catch or the meal that will follow; it’s about the assurance that I am seen, heard, and loved by my Creator.
As I release the trout back into the river, I watch as it disappears into the clear water, a symbol of the grace and mercy that flow through my life. I am left with a profound sense of gratitude and humility. The river’s gentle flow, the rustling leaves, and the shafts of sunlight all serve as reminders of God’s constant presence and His unwavering love.
In this sacred space, I am baptized by the river, cleansed and renewed in His glory. I am reminded that my worth is not measured by the size of the fish I catch, but by the depth of my faith and the humility with which I approach His creation. With each cast, I am not just fishing for a meal; I am fishing for the assurance of His presence, His forgiveness, and His provision.
It has been said if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you’ll feed him for a lifetime.
That only feeds his body.
Teach a man to fly fish and not only will you feed his body for a lifetime, you’ll feed his soul for eternity.
Beautiful picture Sharon. Thank you.