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In this weeks mail I received information on
a new book about trout of the world. Since I'm
not thrilled with the author I won't give it a
free plug here, but there was something quite
interesting about the promo stuff. . .trout I
had never seen. We have other books about trout,
some with wonderful painting or drawings of other
trout I've never seen either. Fish from remote
areas, or countries where trout developed without
help from man. I've seen very few photographs of
these fish though. But the coloration and camouflage
is an absolute wonderment.
We've had articles from readers in countries where
some of these fish live, the Iwana and Yamame in
Japan, the Marble trout in Slovenia and I know
there are many more we haven't yet heard about.
Then there are all the other game fish - (and some
not yet recognized as 'game fish') in fresh and
saltwater. Most of us will never have the opportunity,
time or money to chase around the world trying to add
a specific fish to our "life list." For those who are
also into bird watching, many birders do keep a list
in the back of their favorite bird book, or at least
mark the index with birds they have seen. (Sometimes
the date too.)
There are tours for birders, taking folks to special
places to see birds which aren't native to their
region - or country.
I haven't yet seen a travel agency set up to take
folks to fish a variety of exotic fish species to
be added to some list. But it is an intriguing
idea. Maybe a grand slam of who knows what, where?
One of the people in the Chat Room the other night,
'rocketfish' from Patagonia, was telling about catching
a fish - and it wasn't one familiar to anyone else
there. How neat! Falls into something like fly
fishing for mystery fish! (It wasn't a mystery to
him, just to us!) We've all heard and read about
the wonderful trout fishing in the Patagonia
region - but did you consider there are other
game fish there we don't know?
I know the Brits were big on planting trout wherever
they went (roses too) - but did they do that before
or after they tried fly fishing for the local fish
already there? Was the choice made to try and plant
fish because of a snobbery toward non-trout species?
Or maybe just that they were homesick and wanted
their fish?
And exactly how many of the various trout around
the world were native to a region?
Then there are the salmon. A whole different ball game
since they are saltwater fish. But even then, just
the numbers of fish were incredible. Until we created
canneries. Again, species we don't have in North America,
all of which originated in the Sea of Japan. The Pacific
salmons were not considered worthy of sport fishing
until the very late 1800s.
What else have we missed?
A little reminder here that until some hearty fly fishers
decided to try and catch bonefish on a fly they were
commercially netted as billfish bait!
I have a little paperback book published by the Florida
Sportsman of Florida fish species which is mind blowing!
All shapes and sizes - most of which can be caught on
a fly rod.
So what is your fish of the day? What do you have?
What haven't you fished for? Can it be caught on a
fly? Is there an exciting, new fishery to explore?
Why not?
Once in a while someone will tell me how many states
they have visited - and fished in. Usually they are
fishing for trout - but what if the angler was willing
to fish for whatever the local fish is?
Ah ha!
Get the books out - start searching the Internet. A new challenge!
A way to extend a fly fishing season? Have you tried
fly fishing in saltwater? Another learning experience - one
which is a great deal of fun once you make the decision
to get into heavier rods and big flies.
No matter where you live, there may be a fly fishing
opportunity you have not explored. Perhaps because
you don't know it's there - or maybe no one fishes
for it at all.
We are just at the beginning of summer, a great time
to do some exploring. Expand your horizons, add a
little adventure to your life. Get out of your rut. ~ The LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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