Which brings to mind a common trait shared by all world class competitors. The ability to evaluate and assess a given situation and adapt to it. There was no insistence on fishing a certain fly or a certain style. Each river and each trout was wholeheartedly accepted for what it was and not viewed with disdain because it didn't measure up to unrealistic expectations. What a breath of fresh air.
Guides really love that sort of attitude.
While becoming fast friends with the entire English team was an experience never to be forgotten, not everything about the World Championships was so rosy. In the next column I'll discuss some of the negative side of competitive fly fishing.