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RW -
Great, great point. I would agree that my "friend on the train" example is coincidence more than luck. I'm not exactly sure though, that there is much difference between the two. I think we could say (and you pretty much already did) that luck is coincidence with a desired outcome. I think it?s for that reason when we get the outcome we wanted; good luck, the opposite of what we wanted; bad luck. There was really no outcome with that train example. Fishing for many, however, demands outcome (i.e. catching or not catching). I think that this is why we call it luck. I also agree that by altering the variables we tend to ?make our own luck? (because there is always a chance you wont catch fish) but I still am hesitant to call that luck; because I think that luck is something that is more or less uncontrollable. The number of lottery tickets you buy does not effect what numbers will be drawn, it only increases your chances of having those same numbers.
"Flipping a coin is luck, playing the lottery is luck, because you want a favorable outcome for doing nothing but wanting to win money, no skill...pure chance, but you still put the situation in motion."
Again I agree, but doesn't that further prove that luck plays a very small role in fishing. We certainly set the situation in motion and depending how we do so (our skill) increases our chances considerably. Why is it when we catch a fish we don't call it coincidence. Coincidence that I floated the right nymph at the right time in the right place that was holding a hungry fish. As I have been thinking about this more, I do think that luck at least plays some small role. In the end, what we would deem as success, is still determined outside ones control by another (more or less) autonomous organism. I think the autonomy of a fish is still a little up to question. Yes the fish chooses to eat or not to eat but again skill comes into play. In a perfect dead drift with a perfect insect imitation, can the fish really restrain itself (assuming no other variables are in play, like the fish being spooked)? Once more though, great point with the coincidence thing ? I hadn?t quite worked that into my thoughts yet.
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One of my favorite Sci-Fi authors stated it very nicely:
"When Golden Opportunity comes to knock on the door, it doens't mean a damn unless you're prepared."
"Luck" is sort of like that. We all like to blame/attribute Lady Luck, the Fates, or whatever you like to call it/them if things go right/wrong.
Random chance plays a factor. So does confidence. (How many of us know we do better with our lucky hat, shirt, shoes, fly, etc?) I think Larsplace and Tyeflies hit it right on.
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Ofourse there is luck involved in fishing. There is luck involved in everything
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Yes luck plays a factor in some ways. For instance a botched cast; you're stripping in your dry fly and a big brown smacks your fly. If you hadn't blew the cast you wouldn't have been stripping in the fly.
Weather. Ever planned a trout trip a couple weeks in advance? The weather leading up to your departure is perfect. The day before you leave the weather turns sour and puts off the fishing. You go and manage to get some fish but you're thinking: If only I was here last week! Then when it's the end your last day the weather starts to get better and last half hour you're catching some fish. You think well I lucked out at the end.
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EDW
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Like the Lucky Indian Rain dancer once was heard to say after a sucessful rain dance.
"Timing is everything"
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I think luck plays a very small role. It's not luck that has allowed Steve Rajeff to dominate distance casting competitions. It's not luck that causes a handful of European nations to dominate the world freshwater and fly fishing champs. And it's not luck that the list of top bass pros is pretty stable.
Luck is more of a short-term factor. I read Roy Williams' (UNC basketball coach) comments on this recently. He said that if he just shot one hole of golf against Tiger Woods, he'd have a decent shot of beating him. However, over 18 holes, he'd have no chance at all.
Over time, skill trumps luck.
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Yes I do believe you need a modicum of luck when fly fishing. What you do not need is Bad Luck. Have fun. Jax
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Getting Old has it's advantages. It slows you down just enough to get your timing for tightening into a trout Just Right.
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Yeah,there is luck. My "luckiest" fishing buddy also happens to be intuitive, observant and well prepared. Needless to say, he is always good to fish with, because he isn't late, hung over, or scrounging tackle. He is also the best fisherman I know. When I manage to keep up with him I feel "lucky"!
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"Knowledge is knowing, wisdom is understanding"
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A belief in "Luck" is it's own punishment.
Jim