flow like a winding stream: Persistence gets paid off

I was watching Japan against Germany for FIFA Women's World Cup last night. German players looked bigger and stronger. They got their impressive unbeaten record for the World Cup and not only that Germany is the host nation for this tournament. So, I thought that they were clearly a favourite to win the game.

However, Japanese girls held on. For their lack of physical advantage, they were using their speed and accuracy, and their passing game was joy to watch. I think they believed in their style of football, and didn't give it up. The game was deadlock but the Japanese side finally got a winning goal into the extra time.

Their persistence paid off at the end. Much like fishing in the winter weather, I thought. It is wet, cold, and windy, so you got have some faith in it. Keep casting and believing fish will find your fly, and eventually you hook up something.

昨晩のなでしこジャパンのドイツ戦。よくやったとしか言い様がありません。大会３連覇を狙う優勝候補ナンバー１、過去１２年ワールドカップで負け無しの信じられない無敗記録を保持し、しかも今大会は地元ドイツで開催。どう考えてもドイツの方が有利な所、なでしこガールズがやってくれました。

体格とパワーで負けている分、日本は、スピードと正確なパスワークで一歩も譲らず。まさしく柔よく剛を制す。最後まで自分たちのサッカーを信じてプレーし続けた結果だったと思います。

昨日のサッカー試合の様に、クロダイのフライフィッシングには粘り強さが求められます。点がまったく入らないサッカーの試合と似て、まったくカスリもしない時間帯が多く、そうかと思うとアタリが突然来たりします。特に、雨によって水温が急に変わったり、天気の荒れる冬場は少ないチャンスをいかに物に出来るかがポイントになってきます。それには、やっぱり釣れると信じて釣りをしなくてはいけません。「まったく釣れねえなあ」と上の空になっていると、突然きたアタリを逃してしまいます。