A true story on why fly fishing saves.
“Is it a fly rod, or is it eating a bullet?” this feeling has been haunting Robert Clark for years. PTSD has not only taken its toll on Robert but his family and we are very grateful for them sharing their unique perspectives.
Somehow along my Instagram journey of finding and following like-minded people I stumbled upon Rob’s page, Fly fishing Vet… I thought “cool, let me check this guy out” I myself having been in the military and having a lifelong struggle with PTSD and triggers found his chaos and posts comforting. We both are in pain, we both struggle but both chose to prevail. I want to know more about this epic dude!
So when I asked Robert what fly fishing is like for him, these were the immediate words he uttered “Catching a fish is like a fire fight… it’s fast, it’s quick, your heart rate is going like crazy and the next thing you know, it’over.”
“Catching a fish is like a fire fight… it’s fast, it’s quick, your heart rate is going like crazy and the next thing you know, it’over.”
I was in awe. If you haven’t served in the military don’t worry… you can relate. I was never in a fire fight when I was in the service but can relate to the pounding of my heart in my ears, the shortness of breath and blurred vision right before and during traumatic childhood situations occurred. Then, after the hell happened, it was over. However my reaction was always there, the sweaty palms, the flash backs and the expectations of bad things.
She is like a battle buddy to him.
Well, these are the demons Rob and his family fight daily. Rob won’t give up, but neither does his strong and compassionate wife, Showmei. She is there to remind him when he spaces out, that he is safe… that those moments can’t hurt him anymore. That he lives and to NOT have survivor guilt. In her own way she is like a battle buddy to him, helping him through the worst of memories yet guides him towards a steady and positive outcome.
Even his son chimes in when he is having a bad day and lovingly asks, in true military fashion while sitting next to him, “Dad did someone pee in your cheerios?”
I was fortunate to speak with her, though she was hesitant at first to give her perspective on how she deals with Rob. I cracked up and admired her strong response, she simply makes him snap out of it… she becomes harsh. Almost like his superior having to be forceful and direct commanding him so he realizes he’s somewhere else and needs to come back to her and the family.
She explained that his anxiety can be a bit much, but she redirects that negative energy and also plans ahead by allowing enough time to handle any possible PTSD moments. Even his son chimes in when he is having a bad day and lovingly asks, in true military fashion while sitting next to him, “Dad did someone pee in your cheerios?”
I hope this inspires you to find that peace.
By no means is this to make Rob look bad. He himself is a badass and has faced adversity many times… it’s to show what it’s like to live with someone that has TBI and PTSD. How that it can be overwhelming at times and that love, patience and fly fishing are needed and are therapeutic.
I was thankful for the time I had to speak with Rob and his wife Showmei.
Rob as well as many others find that being on the water gives you that peace that nothing else can. That the water is where he patrols just like when he was active duty, but nothing else is going on and he doesn’t have to be so cautious and the anxiety briefly goes away.
I hope this inspires you to find that peace.
Please be sure to check out his video and comment below what you thought about this blog post. Also, we are here for you no need to feel alone in this fight, we are all in this together.
Tight lines and good vibes, y’all!
