When is Fishing not Fishing?

[PCRusty]

While making our sweep on vacation recently one of the major attractions was my wife's class reunion. It was held outside and I was getting rather bored since there was no one there I knew. I figured it was her day so I just stayed out of her hair and let her have her time with her friends. While walking around the park I saw a small river running through the back side of the place. I had my fly rod in the car and I was seeing a few fish so I thought what the heck.
Now we had fished Tenn. already and had a license there but didn't plan on fishing in WV so I hadn't purchased a license. what I did was to just take a fly and cut the hook off of it. I figured it there's no hook you can't be fishing. I was only looking to see what the fish's reaction would be to the fly. The wife said I was fishing, I said I wasn't. We never did find out what the game warden would have thought about it. he never showed up.
So what was I doing? Fishing or practice casting?

Rusty <><

[WarrenP]

There is absolutely no way you are going to pull me in the middle between you and your wife, but, it was a nice try!!

[Gramps]

Good question. I think you were fishing. The fish could take the fly for a short time, but of course would spit it out. For that brief second the fish was caught.

[flyandtie]

fishing.

[jeffnles1]

I think you were fishing by the definition of most regulations I've seen. However, given the circumstances, and the fact you had rendered the fly useless in actually landing a fish, a conservation officer may give you a stearn warning and let you off without a ticket given the circumstances. But one in a bad mood may just slap you with a fine and confiscate your rod.

If it were me, I'd not take the chance and just cast in the parking lot or the grass field for practice.


As for the discussion between you and your wife, we're all fishermen (and fisher women) here so whatever you told her, we're going to back you up to the bitter end.

Jeff

[Joe Valencic]

Semantics. Tell it to the judge.

Joe

[TyroneFly]

Here is one definition I found: the act of someone who fishes as a diversion.

I think you were fishing.

[Gramps]

Here is one definition I found: the act of someone who fishes as a diversion.

I think you were fishing.

Diversion from what?

[TyroneFly]

Here is one definition I found: the act of someone who fishes as a diversion.

I think you were fishing.

Diversion from what?

In his case, his wife's class reunion.

[Gramps]

Good point.