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Thread: IS IT JUST ME? - Neil - March 8, 2010

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    Default IS IT JUST ME? - Neil - March 8, 2010

    IS IT JUST ME?

    I?m not exactly certain when it started, but the idea of putting something on your leader to enable you to detect a strike when you were fishing a nymph opened up an entire new nuance in the world of fly-fishing.

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    I'd imagine that a fly angler from the 19th century would say much the same about some of your fly tackle and gear and that a fly angler from the 18th century would say the same about the chap from the 19th century. It is the nature of all pursuits that human creativity is applied to make things easier, more comfortable, more efficient, etc. Only traditionalism and nostalgia temper this relentless application of technological and technical innovation to relieve human effort. It's no different than the fish trying to expend the least amount of energy possible while consuming the most food energy possible as a survival instinct. It's the same drive: do as little as you can for as much as you can get. Human beings are the ONLY creatures with ANY tendancy to the contrary. And that is because of our superior abstract intellect and complex emotions.

    P.S. I don't mean this to sound argumentative regarding the use of strike indicators. I use them sometimes and don't at others. I consider it just another tool in the box used to solve problems. I never put anything on my line that I don't think I need to: extra flies, weight, longer leader, knots, loops, indicators, etc. I try to practice the KISS principle.
    Last edited by flyguy66; 03-08-2010 at 06:23 PM. Reason: add disclaimer

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    Neil, no it's not just you!! I feel the same as you. I donot use(bobbers), OH sorry strike indicators when nymph fishing. I learned how to detect strikes by watching the end of the fly line. Do I miss some strikes. Most likely, but for me that is ok.

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    Flyguy,

    Your comment did not sound argumentative. The reason that I continue to raise questions about where fly fishing is going is to cause people to think. While I agree "It is nature of all pursuits that human creativity is applied to make things easier, more comfortable, more efficient, etc. " however my question is when do these tendencies change the very nature of the practice. Is it still fly-fishing if I put a bit of bait on my hook? Is it fly-fishing if, rather than using a fly rod I use a bait casting rod?

    Since it seems to me that since its inception that fly fishers have consciously have been willing to accept that fly-fishing is not the easiest way to catch fish. Even rudimentary fly-fishing requires the learning of certain skills that are totally unnecessary if you are going to fish with bait. [Casting and fly selection are just a couple] To go beyond the mere basics of fly-fishing is a long and often steep learning curve. A truly proficient practioner of the sport of fly-fishing has spent countless hours on the stream, reading books and articles on the sport, tying flies, studying the foods that fish eat, practicing different casts, and generally working on perfecting their skills. It is a life time pursuit.

    What concerns me is that the upcoming generation has missed the basic premise of fly-fishing. Like so many other things in our world it seems that too many people desire to receive the benefits without doing the work.

    The Chronicler

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    Quote Originally Posted by The Chronicler View Post
    Flyguy,

    Your comment did not sound argumentative. The reason that I continue to raise questions about where fly fishing is going is to cause people to think. While I agree "It is nature of all pursuits that human creativity is applied to make things easier, more comfortable, more efficient, etc. " however my question is when do these tendencies change the very nature of the practice. Is it still fly-fishing if I put a bit of bait on my hook? Is it fly-fishing if, rather than using a fly rod I use a bait casting rod?

    Since it seems to me that since its inception that fly fishers have consciously have been willing to accept that fly-fishing is not the easiest way to catch fish. Even rudimentary fly-fishing requires the learning of certain skills that are totally unnecessary if you are going to fish with bait. [Casting and fly selection are just a couple] To go beyond the mere basics of fly-fishing is a long and often steep learning curve. A truly proficient practioner of the sport of fly-fishing has spent countless hours on the stream, reading books and articles on the sport, tying flies, studying the foods that fish eat, practicing different casts, and generally working on perfecting their skills. It is a life time pursuit.

    What concerns me is that the upcoming generation has missed the basic premise of fly-fishing. Like so many other things in our world it seems that too many people desire to receive the benefits without doing the work.

    The Chronicler
    I'm glad it didn't come off argumentative, because the reason I answered the way I did was to further stoke the fire of thought along the same line. It is, in fact, the real issue as you stated: where is the proverbial line between innovation/advancement of the sport and deterioration of the essence of the sport?

    We must remember that these "up coming generations" didn't do this to themselves. It was the constant bombardment by the grown-ups who run manufacturing companies, retail houses, and the media firms slamming them with "bigger, faster, more...bigger, faster, more...bigger, faster, more" that drove them to madness. Everyone under the age of 40 has been totally exploited for profit by their elders in a brutal and crass merchandizing culture that is ruthless in the pursuit of an extra dollar. Lie, cheat, steal - all's fair if it makes money. They've been taught from the cradle that drugs and tools will solve all of their problems and make up for any of their deficiencies. Want to play basketball like Michael Jordan? Buy his shoes. Want to win gold medals in the Olympics? Just eat Wheaties. Kid doesn't want to sit still or pay attention in school? Make him swallow one of these every morning. It permeates every aspect of life including fly fishing. Those of us who have been around for more than a few years get a few chuckles about the "new and improved" product offerings every year. But most anglers younger than me honestly believe with all sincerity that a company would not come out with a new product if it wasn't better in some way than the ones they already offer. The idea that a company might change the color of a fly line from orange to green, rename it, and call it a new product with no other changes or any improvement whatsoever just so they could raise the price or generate new "buzz" is considered "conspiracy theory." In fact, I've been called a conspiracy theorist in writing by an industry media exec for writing that - in spite of the fact that it is fairly common knowledge that these sorts of things (and much worse) happen all the time.

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    maodiver, I am sooooo with you. Someone gave me some really tiny red and white bobbers for earrings....you guessed it, never made it to my ears. I love them, easy as heck to move.

    I do use an indicator on a regular basis on stillwater for Chironomiding (just like Chan )

    What is the difference of using a dry dropper. Generally in most cases, the dry is way bigger than naturals and in some cases...nothing like it! It is an indicator, but with a built in hook. Comes in handy for that reason because, how many time have fish hit your little indicator?

    River, high sticking is cool and in some cases, the best answer, but on some of the bigger rivers with big pools...give me INDICATOR.

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    Lots of what passes as fly-fishing today looks more like the type of fishing that I did as a kid when a can of worms and a bobber were the two essentials for success.
    You mean then, that I've ALWAYS been a fly fisher? Worms and Bobbers!!!!

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    Yep, just a matter of definition I guess.

    The Chronicler

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    Neil,

    I totally agree with all that you stated in your article and feel the following lines are the most important:

    "What concerns me is that the upcoming generation has missed the basic premise of fly-fishing. Like so many other things in our world it seems that too many people desire to receive the benefits without doing the work."
    Warren
    Fly fishing and fly tying are two things that I do, and when I am doing them, they are the only 2 things I think about. They clear my mind.

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    Default Benefits...

    Not sure I agree with that last one.
    For me the benefit is two fold. First a day out with nature, and second (with luck) a tasty fish meal.

    Does it really matter that you caught dinner with a bobber, an indicator, a synthetic line, or a store bought fly with some new material that fish can't avoid?

    Like a previous post by flyguy66 alluded to, take it back a few centuries or more. If you are going to be a purist, be like the bear. Go catch the fish with your hands. After all, using a hook or a net is just plain cheating. Them new fangled spears are pushing the limit of the sport of fishing too you know

    --Ron--

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