You know, after 20 years wearing the badge, I finally decided to hang up my uniform and do what I should've done decades ago - teach folks how to fly fish. Funny how life works, isn't it? I've been obsessed with fishing since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, but it wasn't till recently I really fell hard for fly casting. That's the art of using the weight of the line itself to send your fly where you want it - and let me tell you, it's a whole different ballgame from regular fishing.

Now here's something interesting - my old rowing background actually helped me pick this up quicker than most. The motion's kinda similar to working an erg machine, if you've ever done that. It's like... well, imagine dancing with the river instead of fighting it. Back in 2019, I went all in and took this intensive casting course up at L.L.Bean - studied under Macauley Lord himself, who's basically the Yoda of fly casting. Still working toward my full CI certification, but hey, in this game you're always learning.

That same year - November, I think it was - I started Saw Mill Fly Cast. Mainly wanted to help beginners get their feet wet, no pun intended. What really surprised me was how quickly people pick it up. Give someone three, four good lessons, and they're ready to fish pretty much anywhere in the world. That's the beauty of it - once you learn, it stays with you.

Now, here's the part that really gets me. I've seen firsthand how this sport can change lives. Worked with some veterans battling PTSD, folks with disabilities, fellow first responders... there's something about standing in a river, focusing on that perfect cast, that just... well, it heals you in ways I can't quite explain. Maybe it's the rhythm, or maybe it's just being out there in nature.

As for the guiding side of things - yeah, I'm fully licensed by the DEC for both fresh and saltwater. If trout are your thing, I've got these wade-in trips in Westchester that'll show you what real stream fishing's all about. Usually run about two hours, but hell, we can go longer if the fish are biting. Got a buddy with a canoe too, so we can hit those sweet Eastern Long Island spots if that's more your speed.

At the end of the day, it's not just about catching fish - though that's damn fun too. It's about... I don't know, finding that connection. Between you and the water, you and the fish, you and yourself. Sounds corny, but after all those years on the force, I've learned to appreciate the simple things. And if I can help someone else find that same peace, well... that's better than any paycheck.