Have you reached a summit in the sport of fly fishing? Are you qualified to call
yourself a "fly fisherman"? If you're not sure, I've developed a simple test you can take to find out if you
qualify for this title. Take a moment to complete this short test. You might be surprised by the results.
If your buddy tells you your fly is open and you have to ask if there is another
way to attach the wings, you might be a fly fisherman.
If the map is describing an off ramp to the freeway, and the only loop you're familiar with is
in your back cast, you just might be a fly fisherman.
If the only indicators you know how to use have the word "strike" in front of them, you might
be a fly fisherman.
When your friend who's been taking flying lessons mentioned he finally got his wings, if you
asked if he tied them upright or swept, you might be a fly fisherman.
If the only royalty you read about has the word "Wulff" attached to it, you might be a fly fisherman.
When your geometry teacher asked if anyone could describe a triangle, if you spent the next fifteen
minutes describing a fly line taper, you might be a fly fisherman.
During a recent job interview when the potential employer asked if you had any bad vices, if you told
him you gave that vise to your son and purchased a new rotary one that really holds a hook, you might be
a fly fisherman.
If your definition of a downrigger is a bead on the head of a nymph to get it down fast, you might be
a fly fisherman.
If the only Latin you're familiar with has something to do with the names of bugs, you might be a
fly fisherman.
You just might be a fly fisherman if your favorite winter jacket has lots of pockets and a fly patch.
During a recent history exam, when the question read "What is the historical significance of Siberia?"
If you answer was "big fish that haven't seen a fly before", you might be a fly fisherman.
If your idea of a cultural exchange is a fly swap, you just might be a fly fisherman.
If your favorite shirt has a rod holder tab, you might be a fly fisherman.
If your vacation pictures have more fish, water and bugs in them than people, you might be
a fly fisherman.
When your wife was cooking a turkey and sent you to the store for some sage for the dressing,
if you returned with a Sage fly rod, you might be a fly fisherman.
You might be a fly fisherman if your favorite boat has the word "drift" in its description.
On the other hand, if you're spending your time reading this, you just might be a fly
fisherman.
~Al Campbell
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