The Smithsonian Institution

Stream, Early Spring ca. 1900 John Chislett platinum print on paper sheet and image: 7 3/8 x 9 1/4 in. (18.8 x 23.5 cm.) Smithsonian American Art Museum Museum purchase from the Charles Isaacs Collection made possible in part by the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment 1994.91.38

http://americanart.si.edu/

For me, this picture represents the purest essence of what fly fishing is all about.  Peace, tranquility, quiet contemplation.  A number of people have asked me, "Why not a picture of a fish?" or suggested a "...picture of a guy fly fishing."  I found this piece while searching for a background for my business cards, and truthfully, those were the types of things I was looking for.  I found a few that seemed adequate, but they all lacked something.  Some vague intangible quality was missing.  So on a whim, I tried searching on "stream".  When this picture appeared, I was awestruck.  The best words I can think of to describe its effect would be "Heartbreaking Serenity".  

That's when I realized what had been lacking.  You see, fly fishing to me is not about a guy fishing, or even about the fish.  It's the serenity, the quiet, the tranquil beauty of the surroundings.  It's about the Stream.

And deep in my heart, I  pray God takes me home to a heaven that looks just like this.

t. preusch, 2002