How fly-fishing for steelhead trout was healing for my stepdaughter

How fly-fishing for steelhead trout was healing for my stepdaughter

By Kevin McKay

Source: bangordailynews

1/24/2024

Credit: Courtesy of Kevin McKay

Winter is the hardest season for me. The waterways are frozen and I have to put my fly rods away until March. This is my grumpiest time of year and if I’m being honest, I get a little depressed.

Fishing has always been my church, my therapy, my escape from the real world and all my stresses. I hoped it would be the same for my stepdaughter.

When my stepdaughter, Emma, started college, she found herself questioning her major. She lost her confidence and developed anxiety and depression. It was an extremely stressful time in her life, so we invited her to move into the bunkhouse for the winter to hopefully sort through things.