At Lardiere McNair and Stonebrook we don’t think our education ends at law school graduation.  We try to train our staff on a regular basis so that they can evolve and be exceptional counselors for our clientele.

Tony Delligatti is, among other things an avid fly fisherman.  In recent conversations with Tony, we discussed whether or not he felt fly fishing had any lessons to be learned for  young professionals, including lawyers. Some thoughts are worth sharing.

1. Patience Is a Power Tool

Fly fishing is not a sport of instant gratification. The angler must wait, watch, and trust the process. Likewise, the practice of law often moves slowly. Success doesn't always hinge on rapid-fire arguments or instant results, but rather on meticulous preparation and the ability to wait for the right opportunity—be it a strategic filing or the right moment in court to raise an objection. Success in law, like in fly fishing, comes to those who know when to act—and when to hold still.

2. Precision Matters More Than Power

A fly fisher doesn't fling their line with brute strength; they cast with finesse, aiming for a precise spot where the fish are likely to rise. A lawyer, too, doesn't win cases through volume or drama but through well-timed, targeted arguments that meet the moment with clarity and purpose.  Be intentional. An accurate point delivered calmly often lands deeper than a broad one shouted loudly.

3. Read the Current, Not Just the Surface

Understanding a river requires more than seeing its surface. One must feel the subtle pull of the current, notice eddies and underflows—those invisible forces that influence everything. In law, the surface facts are only part of the picture. A great attorney discerns unspoken motives, reads the courtroom dynamics, and adapts to shifting tides in a case or negotiation. Situational awareness and emotional intelligence are as vital as legal knowledge.

4. Adapt Your Tactics

Fish don’t always rise to the same fly. An angler may change patterns, shift positions, or even pause entirely. Legal work is much the same. A static strategy rarely survives evolving facts, judicial temperaments, or opposing tactics. The best attorneys iterate and adapt, always with an eye on the bigger picture. Rigidity is a weakness. Flexibility in approach can be a lawyer’s secret weapon.

5. Solitude Sharpens Judgment

Fly fishing often places the angler alone with nature, providing space for reflection and learning. For lawyers, carving out moments of quiet—away from clients, courts, and screens—invites deeper thinking. It’s where strategy is refined, values are revisited, and the practice becomes more than just a profession. Introspection nurtures wisdom. Make time for it.

 Final Cast

Fly fishing and law both demand skill honed over time, an appreciation for nuance, and a quiet confidence in one's preparation. Whether standing in the courtroom or the stream the lawyers at Lardiere McNair and Stonebrook believe that the essence of success lies not just in action—but in awareness, adaptability, and a deliberate kind of grace.

Anthony (Tony) Delligatti Jr. is Of Counsel at Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook, Ltd., LPA.

Disclaimers: Artificial intelligence is used as a tool to supplement, enhance, make suggestions, and generate blog language from the thoughts, ideas, and opinions of our human lawyers.  The final product is reviewed and edited by an attorney. 

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