Simple and True

[DSFlyman]

"Never cut what you can untie."
-- Joseph Joubert

This is one of my favorite quotes. I remember the first time I went solo on a fly fishing trip. I had only been fly fishing for about 2 years and in that time hadn't logged much time on the water.

Pretty quickly into my morning I had made an ugly birds nest out of my leader. I was so frustrated. I remember cursing and pulling on my nippers to just start over.

Well, instead I sat down and started untangling. It took me 30 minutes. When I was done I realized that I was feeling more at peace and relaxed than I had in weeks.

That was also the moment I knew I was hooked on fly fishing.

[jimsnarocks]

Good lesson DS. Don't know if I've met you here yet. Greetings from one So Cal fly guy to another. Welcome to FAOL. I think you are gonna like this site. Well organized and very helpful and generous folks here. Maybe I'll see you at the Pasadena Fly Fishing Show next month. Oh yeah, as the new guy you cut the wood and make the coffee. Jim

[DSFlyman]

thanks,

I will be there. Put it in my schedule this week as a matter of fact. Brand new to this site. very impressed.

[jimsnarocks]

Cool, Maybe I'll meet you. Jim

[Betty Hiner]

I met a young man on the steam this summer who seemed to have the same adage. He was trying so diligently to undue what was clearly not undo-able. I watched him for some time while I continued to fish near by. He worked and struggled, and was not getting anywhere, and though he continued to try, the day was quickly passing, and he wasn't getting any fishing done. I finally went over to him, had him cut off the offending leader, and tied on a new furled leader for him. The whooping and hollering I heard when he caught a fish on the new assemblage made my day. That, my friend, is when fly fishing takes on a new light for me ... every time, I'm hooked all over again!

[DSFlyman]

I recall the experience I mentioned and the quote that started this thread when I realize that I'm so focused on catching that I'm hindering my fishing.

[Betty Hiner]

DS,
Took a couple days to think about this before responding.

When I see a young person, or an old timer, having problems with their fishing equipment; line, leader, tippet, flies ... that they're not having a good fishing experience, neither am I. I'm not so concerned with "the art of fly fishing that is unscientifically proven to help you catch more and bigger fish", I'm more concerned that the other guy is able to find his time on the stream made fun.

Too many fly fishers are hung up on "fly fishing"; their heads so far up in the air, with their supposed rod/line/clothing superiority, that they cannot see someone else floundering right beside them.

I don't jump in and "do for" them, but I will, after observing for some time, ask if they'd like some help "with" whatever is offending. I always have extra flies, or leaders, or fingers that can tie knots for someone who cannot. And if that means cutting off the offending leader because you CAN'T undo it, then cut it off! Don't destroy the joy because someone said you have to do it a certain way.

The looks on those faces is what makes the experience of fishing take on that new light, every single time.

Your quote is good, though not necessarily meant for fishing.

[briney dave]

I have had the.. well I don't want to use the word luck here,... but I have been on both sides of a tangle. When you have the day light left to sit down and do a little tweezing, it does force you to slow down and change how you are looking at things.
Also been in situations where I had to drive back that night, the light fadding, fish on the move and me with a mess. these were bass fishing trips rather than fly but the point is the same.

The surface point is no fighting what can not be fixed, cut your loss and get back at it.

below that: for goodness sake take time to enjoy the fact that you are not at work, no one is calling for some pointless paperwork that only makes their job better and has no affect on your life what so ever, and that from time to time a fish and you share something magical.

As for offering help to someone struggling, listen to your gut. If its saying help then do it, if not slip on down stream and wish them luck under your breath.

I am not river sage, but the deeper point of the orginal post rings true with me.

[kglissmeyer]

Sometimes the answer is very simple and very quick, yet other times dictate something entirely different. Both solutions can be right.

I've had days when standing in the river was like a cleansing experience when, no matter what happened, it all occured at a slower, more fulfilling pace. Other days when I was so focused on what was happening at the end of my line that everything else was lost in time and space.

Sometimes it's right to cut the mess and start over, others just sit down and get it all untangled - much like life.

Both answers can be right - let the spirit of the moment decide and then pay attention.

Tight Lines.

[briney dave]

Amen well said