While fly fishing in the Black Hills of South Dakota I have come to experience that trout can be caught in very clear shallow water but it is not as easy as it first appeared. My first year of fishing on a spring creek was like trying to catch the proverbial brace ring on the merry-go-round. No matter how close I seemed to get to the elusive Brown Trout, he always seemed to be just out of my reach. My guess is, that they would see me before I would see them. But one day I discovered that trout in general have what the fly fishing community of experts call a “blind spot.” In shallow water, where the depth is 18 inches to two feet deep a trout has a small blind spot directly behind. The technical jargon is a “trout’s cone of vision.” That means if you fish directly behind them, out of the 360 degrees there is a thirty-degree gap right behind their tail that they cannot see you from about four to seven feet away. Pretty cool discovery, right? So it has been my practice for many years to hunt down one trout instead of twenty when fishing shallow waters and look for the best way to get into his blind spot. Poor creature, by the time he finds out that I am there he’s on the end of my line. And although I practice catch and release most of the time, there are other times I want to make a meal out of them and by the time a trout realizes that he has been had, I am saying blessing over him.
In the world of fly rods it’s a good thing to stay in the blind spot of the elusive Brown Trout and believe me, the majority see me before I see them. But what about the Christian’s blind spot? Do we have one, or could we have one? It’s my belief that when a Christian’s blind spot goes undetected it can make us Satan’s catch of the day. So here is a lesson from the world of fly fishing and the Brown Trout. To put it another way, here are three ways to help you not become Satan’s next meal.
- KEEP SWIMMING—In the world of spiritual battles it is best to not tread water too long. Let me put it another way-idleness is the devil’s workshop. We need to stay alert. 1Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Staying alert and self-controlled will help keep you out of your blind spots.
- SWIM WITH OTHERS—There is strength in numbers. One thing I have learned about fly fishing for trout in shallow streams is that they normally swim together. They alert each other to any movement above the surface of the water. There are times in our walk with Christ that we need to be alerted by those we call brothers and sisters in Christ to the predators that are in our blind spot. Considering that Satan is probably our biggest predator, it’s probably a good thing that we have people who care about us enough to tell us when we falling into a trap. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
- ALWAYS STAY CLOSE TO COVER—The first thing a trout does when they spot a fisherman is run for cover. Even if they don’t see you, they still have excellent hearing and can pick up the vibration caused by your walking over the rock and gravel in the stream. Make no mistake, they will dart away and hide, and will not come out again until it is safe.
Think like a trout! Satan’s desire is always to get into your blind spot. He will try to temp you with your own pride, reasoning skills, rationalization, and poor discernment. He will use anything he can to deceive you into believing that you are making a good choice, when all along he is landing you in his net.
You must ingest the Word of God and give way to the power of the Holy Spirit in your life (yielding to Him); both will give you the sensitivity you need when faced with Satan’s lure.
When it comes to being lured into Satan trap, there is no time to waste. You are in danger, you need to RUN! There is no time for reasoning, no time for mental dialogue, no time for curiosity…just RUN!
Another word comes to mind—FLEE!!!
2Timothy 2:22 Paul says to his son in the faith, “Flee also youthful lusts…” The best solution for this scenario is run and duck for cover. And if we are close to the cover of the Lord we will not be trapped by Satan’s lures.
OUR COVER IS IN THE LORD—Psalm 91:4 says, “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler (protective shield).”
I can promise you, you will be caught off guard by Satan if you don’t run for cover. So take your refuge under the truth of God’s Word. There you will always be safe.
CONCLUSION: As I find myself in the semi-retirement mode, I have many opportunities to cast a fly in the direction of an unsuspecting trout. My goal is simple, I am going to do my best to stay within his blind spot. My whole day of fly fishing has one thing in mind, it is to catch that wily rascal off guard by enticing him with a morsel of fake food, and to land him in my net. I get excited when I play this game of catch and keep, ah… I mean catch and release. But make no mistake about it, as Satan goes after you, he is not playing games—his plan is to destroy you, to catch you for keeps. So, KEEP SWIMMING, SWIM WITH OTHERS, and ALWAYS STAY CLOSE TO COVER.
This is Pastor Pat FROM BEHIND THE PEN, wishing you joy in Jesus.