I don't think of it as a curse, but some do. Fly fishing generally necessitates being outside in beautiful areas, connects you to nature, and makes you conscious of man's impact on the planet. Did my Dad realize all of that when I was a kid? Probably, but he never said such words. As a parent, he was more inclined to letting you find your own way. He did stress the importance of education in all that he did. He was the first in his family to go to college. He always encouraged us in whatever our interests seemed to be. My own schooling went beyond his, and I know that made him very proud. I am grateful that he gave me the fly rod to quiet the chaos that often surrounds us.