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Fortunately, not every time I do something silly do I have a
large audience, just most of the time. For instance, when I
get a splashy rise to a dry fly and I miss it, I automatically
shoot the fly back in one reflex movement. I can't help it,
it just happens. Silly. All the previous casts were a marvel
of perfection in presentation; then I smash one back like a
black-belter doing a throat-chop. And you know what? It never
does any good either, I can't ever remember getting a hit
on the very next cast. Will I continue to do it now that
I know it is silly? Of course, and that's silly too.
How about this one? When I take a new fly rod out to fish
the first time, the 'maiden' event, I try very hard to hook a
fish on the very first cast. Now, that's got to qualify as
really silly, but not as what follows. I can't think of a
single time when I have actually hooked anything on the
first cast with a new rod, but, eventually I find some
obliging creature and now the real fun starts. I somehow
have it in my head that if I lose the first fish on a rod
it's 'Jinxed!' Dumb-dee-dumb-dumb, and silly also. I will
say it does make for an interesting time out with a new
rod though.
I have not fished for brown trout in years, since way back
in Michigan. You can still find some there who remember this
one. I would not fish for them unless I was wearing a tie,
in fact it was a plain tan tie. I felt that it was not a
'gentlemanly' thing to do. That one for sure makes the list.
Here is where you may actually may find some fault with me, I
sure hope not, but it is how it is for me. When I do manage
to hook a fish, and it does not matter what kind, I treat
them all equally, I try very hard to make sure I land said
fish. By that I mean, it is not how fast I can do it, not
how fancy I may look doing it, it is I must simply 'do it.'
Does it become a contest of 'life and death' importance? Yes
it does, theirs. Do they come in with their tongue hanging
out and slithering on their side? No, usually right-side
up and, I think, just bored with the whole event. I enjoy
the contest, the 'playing' of the fish, not the 'fight,'
Silly? Maybe, but, it's my way.
I have no idea why I do this one, but it happens every time.
I catch and land a real nice fish. I can't hardly wait to get
my fly 'right-back-out-there' and get another one just as fast
as I can. Can I take a break and relax and enjoy the moment,
yes; but only if I remember to do it and it is a struggle
when I do.
Just when you think you don't even want to be in the same county
with me, listen to this. I do not fish nymphs, wet-flies,
soft-hackles or worms. Nope, I won't do it. That goes even
beyond silly I suppose, but, that's the way it is. Why won't
I fish the things? Is there some conceit showing here, I hope
not; I do not play golf or go bowling either. There are some
things I don't care to do, those are just a few of them.
I also don't like paying income taxes, but that is another
matter entirely.
The clincher. Now, writing about all the silly things I do;
that takes it, that 'really' is silly! ~ JC
NOTE:
We have set up a host for Australia and New Zealand.
Host Wulff will be in Monday the 11th, from 8 pm to 10 pm
AUSTRALIAN TIME Monday through Friday night, and he
needs help hosting. So, welcome aboard all you guys 'down under,'
we have been waiting for ya! Email me at
editor@flyanglersonline.com
~ James Castwell
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