Ken Hersh

Peace.

When my friend Dave put a fly rod into his hand, it became a natural extension of his arm.

When my friend Dave stepped knee deep into a mountain stream, he became a natural structure in the river for the water to part as it rolled past his stance.

When my friend Dave cast a dry fly onto the river ahead of the waiting fish, he lost himself in the moment.

When my friend Dave was fly fishing, he had no cancer. He only had the now. He had peace.

I was honored that Dave spent one of his last moments of clarity with me at my retreat on New Mexico’s Pecos River battling wits with finicky trout. Time stood still on that crisp fall September day in 2015.

Watching a man who had weeks or months to live find joy in that battle was a lesson I was blessed to have him teach: Don’t be afraid to lose yourself. Find your joy. Find your peace.

Now, I find that on “Dave’s Run.”

Love and miss you, Dave.