A couple of months ago, I was walking around at work with a sore back. This was not an uncommon experience, as I have been plagued with back pain of varying degrees since injuring myself playing football in college. I tried to sit down, and realized that unlike the other times my back hurt, I could not sit in a chair without extreme pain. While this seems like it would be alarming, at the time I wasn’t really worried as I figured it would pass. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.
After getting home I realized something was seriously wrong. For the next month plus, I was in bed, lying flat, for basically 24 hours a day. I could not work, drive, or fish. The only time I left the house was to visit the doctor or to check on my business. In 45 days, I left my home maybe 7 times.
Thankfully I had people to help me out and health insurance. After 45 days, I was able to have surgery which ended the constant pain. After a few weeks of recovery, I was finally able to get back on the water. It turned out to be a great day.
Joined by my friends Wright Taylor (www.flyfishmarco.com) (who was kind enough to supply the boat), Nick Davis (239flies) we planned on just going out and seeing what happened. I really didn’t expect that Nick would get his largest Tarpon on fly on an 8wt, or that I would sight fish a nice Redfish. I was only supposed to be taking pictures, not fishing. 
Before I was injured, I was not taking care of myself as well as I should have been- and taking things for granted. For me, this was a wake up call, and I am thankful that I was able to get back onto the water, doing what I love, with good friends. See you on the water.