One Year Ago Today

Something from the tackle box:

       Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.  (Exodus 20:12 CEV)

bluegills caught on an old Southbend bamboo fly rod

       One year ago today I opened this blog site, bluegills on a fly rod, to share my reflections on fishing, family, friends and faith with the world at large. My first entry was posted on August 24, 2015, and was titled, Introduction to a Fisherman’s Tales.  In the twelve months since that first posting I’ve put up many more stories and reflections, including this one, totaling 34 in all.  I hate to sound too hackneyed, but this project really has been a labor of love for me.  All of the entries on this site, be they good, bad or indifferent, have come from the heart.  In the next week or so I hope to post a reflection talking a little bit about my motivation for creating this blog. 

       Over this past year I have checked the account page for this site almost daily to see if anyone is actually reading my stories.  As of this morning the page-view counter informs me that over 2,720 visits have been made to bluegills on a fly rod.  This is way more hits than I ever thought I would get when I started this project a year ago. 

       All I can say to this astounding fact, is this; “Gee Whiz, - Thanks a lot Mom and Dad!  To have visited my blog site over seven times each and every day over this past year really took a lot of love and dedication on your part.  I love you both so much.” 

mom & dad on the porch at Long Lake

Something to take home in your creel:

       OK, - so maybe there are a few more people out there following my blog than just my folks.  I know that!  I really do want to thank all of my readers. The encouragement that your continued interest in bluegills on a fly rod has given me makes this project all worthwhile.  May God bless each of you for the blessing you have given me by enjoying my stories.

       In addition to my Mom and Dad, some extra special thanks go out to Michelle, Wayne, Pam, Von, Terry, Bessie, Scot, Thom, Jack, Mimi, Ron, and the unknown membership of my Russian fan club, all of whom have read, commented on, and shared so many of my stories from the very beginning.  -  May peaceful waters and hungry fish be your lot!