ANGLING AND TROUT - Readers Cast (Gigmaster) - December 14, 2009
ANGLING AND TROUT
It?s a good bet that many modern warm-water anglers have been frustrated at one time or another by a well-meaning person's Angling-Impaired assumptions about fly fishing. Many is the time that a person has seen my fly gear and immediately said, "Oh, you're a trout fisherman, huh?? I'm sure they mean no harm. But why is angling so tightly associated with trout? I have a few ideas on the subject. Please bear in mind that they are strictly my own ideas, rather than proven fact.
Blame the British Empire1
Most who are alive today, never grew up in a time when there was an British Empire! It was proudly stated, The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire!.
The British Empire ruled rule a vast collection of regions (large and small) throughout the whole world. The King of England, who was also the Royal Head of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, as well as the His Royal Majesty Ruler of the British Empire!
Wherever the flag of the British Empire was planted in the name of King and Country they also planted roses and trout. Only those of the higher classes were considered deserving to fish for trout, and only by the long rods, that we now know as fly fishing.
So that even today, it is common for those who does not fly fish, to still thinks that there is some Golden Rule , that states a person can only fly fish, for Trout and Salmon.