That said the revolving cast of interesting people that I met while stranded in a backpacker hostel made the time fly far faster than it would have had I been on my own.

First, I sprinted into a cast-iron lamppost while chasing a fly ball in a park in Washington; I actually saw a chorus line of stars dance before my eyes as I crumpled to the ground.

I jumped to attention, fly rod and fly in hand, ready to cast when the moment was right — when the sailfish came within about 10 meters of the stern of the boat.