Identity Crisis
I fly fish for trout. I also fish for salmon, steelhead, crappie and bass when the opportunity presents
itself, but “I fly fish for Trout” is how I describe myself when people ask me if I am a fisherman. My
wife and I recently stayed at a high dollar bed and breakfast where I found out there are people who
consider it recreation to just go and stay at a bed and breakfast. Regardless, I was taught it is good
manners to excuse yourself from the table if you are the first to leave or others are still eating, so I
excused myself from the table explaining to my fellow bed and breakfastees I had to get along to
Hastings for the big sale at Bobs Bait and Tackle Shop (a really great place) before all the good stuff
was gone. A pert yuppette directed her attention to the amusing man (me) and asked, “are you a
fisherman”? I frequently don’t know how to answer the question - "are you a fisherman".
Someone who really doesn’t want to hear the answer, as was clearly the case here, invariably asks
it, and it is almost impossible to respond without sounding like a pompous ass, or a pert yuppette
(same/same). So I normally just say yes and change the subject rather than go into detail.
Although it is probably accurate to call anyone who fishes a fisherman (or fisherwomen, or
fisherperson, etal on and on and on to PC hell), it seems somewhat disingenuous to call a fly
fisherman a fisherman. See what I mean about the pompous thing? The truth is I think guys who
fish for a living (like in the “The Perfect Storm”) are real fishermen. Recreational fishing like I do
hardly falls into the same category. Since most fly fisherman practice catch and release, it further
confuses the issues since, in my mind, fisherman harvest fish for food and commerce, rather than
just tease and aggravate them for fun. This sort of belays the pompous aspect, as my real attitude
is people who do something as trivial as fly-fishing do not rate the title of fisherman. It should be
persevered for the guys who do one of the most dangerous jobs on earth, and help feed the world.
That is why I like to make the effort to distinguish myself as a fly fisherman when it seems the
explanation may be listened to justifying the effort. Other people who don’t meet the test of real
fishermen are bass fishermen, crappie fishermen; spin fishermen, etc, so on, you get the point.
This is only my opinion. Others would say I am full of poopy and argue bitterly and vigorously to
validate another point-of-view. Ok you win - I don’t care.
On the other hand, lest I get too humble, asking a fly fisherman if he is a fisherman (meaning of
course a recreational fun seeker, or professional who makes a living (maybe) by guiding us
dilatants), is like asking Houdini if he knows any cards tricks. Any decent fly fishermen can devout
hours to explaining why fly-fishing is at the top of the recreational fishing food chain. Couple of
simple examples: Fly-fishing is like some of the more prestigious academic pursuits (Music
Enthnocology perhaps) in that you can teach it, or you can learn it, but there is not much else you
can do with it. Notwithstanding all the mid life crisis support and resulting clarity of course. Like
ancient religions and secret societies; fly-fishing is rife with sophistication, tradition, heritage, and
lore. No worms in coffee cans here, and if you make a bamboo rod it better have silk thread for
guide wraps. A lot of stuff that couldn’t pass the so-what test in a rational environment, are very
important and must-do items in the fly-fishing world. Some people who claim to be fly fishermen
ignore many of these seemingly crazy rules, but they are generally regarded like Jed Clampett on
Rodeo drive. Obviously they are not real fly-fishermen, in spite of the fact they have a fly rod and
reel. This isn’t NASCAR; it takes more than expensive equipment and gaudy clothes to play the
game.
If you really want to understand the difference, compare a fishen Magazine with a fly-fishing
publication. Your average fishen magazine has ads for pick-up trucks, motor oil additives, fish
finders, lighted lures and bobbers, chewen tobacco, john boats, 8000 hp outboard motors, discount
smokes, fishing camps in Da Yoop and Canada, and atomic bait. You will find articles to help you
fish with dynamite without suffering blast damage to your bass boat, how snag crappie with a dough
ball and grappling hook, where to find the largest carp, and how to cook them without that bottom of
the river taste. You know, practical Stuff you really need to know.
But then look at fly-fishing publications and you will see ads for SUVs and recreational vehicles;
$600.00 fly rods that are not just fly rods, but a transcendental experience (comes with a hot line to
a guru); fly rod grips that are actually important tools; high tech shoes, shirts, pants and stockings;
environmental awareness; exotic foreign travel to destinations (not Canada) where the trout have
never seen a fisherman or a fly; drift boats; volumes of literature, and miles of video to improve
your angling prowess. Articles on how to cast (each one repeating or contradicting last month’s
articles – cheese and rice how many articles can be written on casting?); revelation of previously
undisclosed fishing spots, which will soon be stampeded and ruined; the secrets of how to fish
mountain lakes, and desert canyons, as well as, product reviews to point out what new tackle you
must have to be successful as a catch and release fisherman. Seems like a camera would be nice,
but I hardly ever see one of those advertised.
Putting all that aside - my problem is how to identify myself as a real fly-fisherman in a world of
lesser beings. Most people wouldn’t care, but I seem to think it is important (Heaven help me).
Maybe I should just carry a fly-fishing publication around and hand it to anyone who looks
interested. The ones who matter will understand this is no mere crappie fishen guy they are
dealing with.
(C) Copyright 2004
I fly fish for trout. I also fish for salmon, steelhead, crappie and bass when the opportunity presents
itself, but “I fly fish for Trout” is how I describe myself when people ask me if I am a fisherman. My
wife and I recently stayed at a high dollar bed and breakfast where I found out there are people who
consider it recreation to just go and stay at a bed and breakfast. Regardless, I was taught it is good
manners to excuse yourself from the table if you are the first to leave or others are still eating, so I
excused myself from the table explaining to my fellow bed and breakfastees I had to get along to
Hastings for the big sale at Bobs Bait and Tackle Shop (a really great place) before all the good stuff
was gone. A pert yuppette directed her attention to the amusing man (me) and asked, “are you a
fisherman”? I frequently don’t know how to answer the question - "are you a fisherman".
Someone who really doesn’t want to hear the answer, as was clearly the case here, invariably asks
it, and it is almost impossible to respond without sounding like a pompous ass, or a pert yuppette
(same/same). So I normally just say yes and change the subject rather than go into detail.
Although it is probably accurate to call anyone who fishes a fisherman (or fisherwomen, or
fisherperson, etal on and on and on to PC hell), it seems somewhat disingenuous to call a fly
fisherman a fisherman. See what I mean about the pompous thing? The truth is I think guys who
fish for a living (like in the “The Perfect Storm”) are real fishermen. Recreational fishing like I do
hardly falls into the same category. Since most fly fisherman practice catch and release, it further
confuses the issues since, in my mind, fisherman harvest fish for food and commerce, rather than
just tease and aggravate them for fun. This sort of belays the pompous aspect, as my real attitude
is people who do something as trivial as fly-fishing do not rate the title of fisherman. It should be
persevered for the guys who do one of the most dangerous jobs on earth, and help feed the world.
That is why I like to make the effort to distinguish myself as a fly fisherman when it seems the
explanation may be listened to justifying the effort. Other people who don’t meet the test of real
fishermen are bass fishermen, crappie fishermen; spin fishermen, etc, so on, you get the point.
This is only my opinion. Others would say I am full of poopy and argue bitterly and vigorously to
validate another point-of-view. Ok you win - I don’t care.
On the other hand, lest I get too humble, asking a fly fisherman if he is a fisherman (meaning of
course a recreational fun seeker, or professional who makes a living (maybe) by guiding us
dilatants), is like asking Houdini if he knows any cards tricks. Any decent fly fishermen can devout
hours to explaining why fly-fishing is at the top of the recreational fishing food chain. Couple of
simple examples: Fly-fishing is like some of the more prestigious academic pursuits (Music
Enthnocology perhaps) in that you can teach it, or you can learn it, but there is not much else you
can do with it. Notwithstanding all the mid life crisis support and resulting clarity of course. Like
ancient religions and secret societies; fly-fishing is rife with sophistication, tradition, heritage, and
lore. No worms in coffee cans here, and if you make a bamboo rod it better have silk thread for
guide wraps. A lot of stuff that couldn’t pass the so-what test in a rational environment, are very
important and must-do items in the fly-fishing world. Some people who claim to be fly fishermen
ignore many of these seemingly crazy rules, but they are generally regarded like Jed Clampett on
Rodeo drive. Obviously they are not real fly-fishermen, in spite of the fact they have a fly rod and
reel. This isn’t NASCAR; it takes more than expensive equipment and gaudy clothes to play the
game.
If you really want to understand the difference, compare a fishen Magazine with a fly-fishing
publication. Your average fishen magazine has ads for pick-up trucks, motor oil additives, fish
finders, lighted lures and bobbers, chewen tobacco, john boats, 8000 hp outboard motors, discount
smokes, fishing camps in Da Yoop and Canada, and atomic bait. You will find articles to help you
fish with dynamite without suffering blast damage to your bass boat, how snag crappie with a dough
ball and grappling hook, where to find the largest carp, and how to cook them without that bottom of
the river taste. You know, practical Stuff you really need to know.
But then look at fly-fishing publications and you will see ads for SUVs and recreational vehicles;
$600.00 fly rods that are not just fly rods, but a transcendental experience (comes with a hot line to
a guru); fly rod grips that are actually important tools; high tech shoes, shirts, pants and stockings;
environmental awareness; exotic foreign travel to destinations (not Canada) where the trout have
never seen a fisherman or a fly; drift boats; volumes of literature, and miles of video to improve
your angling prowess. Articles on how to cast (each one repeating or contradicting last month’s
articles – cheese and rice how many articles can be written on casting?); revelation of previously
undisclosed fishing spots, which will soon be stampeded and ruined; the secrets of how to fish
mountain lakes, and desert canyons, as well as, product reviews to point out what new tackle you
must have to be successful as a catch and release fisherman. Seems like a camera would be nice,
but I hardly ever see one of those advertised.
Putting all that aside - my problem is how to identify myself as a real fly-fisherman in a world of
lesser beings. Most people wouldn’t care, but I seem to think it is important (Heaven help me).
Maybe I should just carry a fly-fishing publication around and hand it to anyone who looks
interested. The ones who matter will understand this is no mere crappie fishen guy they are
dealing with.
(C) Copyright 2004
| Identity Crisis Grumpy Old Fart |
RKP Cane Rods
989 348 2435
rkp@rkpcanerods.com
989 348 2435
rkp@rkpcanerods.com