|
There are two kinds. I will deal only with the good kind. That
queasy, uneasy, gnawing, nervous condition when you are going
to get something. There is the kind which is a bit similar, as
when you have not quite made up your mind which color convertible
to get, or really, to even get one at all. But you are pretty
sure you're going to do it anyway.
The real thing hits when you have "taken the bull by the tail
and faced the situation", so to speak. You have committed, or
perhaps should be committed, but right at that moment you don't
care. You are going to do it, or get it, or go there or whatever.
But you haven't done it, got it, gone there or whatever...yet.
Let's take the new guy, new to fly fishing. I am glad to see we
occasionally do get one to post on the BB asking which rod to
start out with for instance. In fact, let's stick just with fly
rods for the rest of this. Sometimes a guy's first rod is a spur
of the moment purchase. Not a lot of bucks, maybe a combo in fact
and a dozen of the latest killer flies. Anticipation starts when
the clerk hands his credit card back...approved. The thousands
of questions yet to be thought of and some answers as well.
Moving right along we then might find the average Joe. He has a
few rods of varying value and age and figures to upgrade his
weaponry. His mental anguish starts with the first hint of a
dream of a new rod. Perhaps a picture in a magazine, something
on T.V., a chance comment by a friend or even the Internet. Then
he has all the little increments of anticipation between the dream,
the choices, the opinions asked, locating it and picking it out
and ordering it/getting it and putting it all to gether, and
looking at it 'with his hands'.
And then there all of you rich guys with lots of money and rods
and no use for any more but...give you almost any excuse and off
you go chasing another 'will-o-the-wisp' fly rod to solve some
imagined problem. Rationalization some might call it. Just plain
nuts others might venture. I say, It's all part of the game,
go for it.
Let me have a little fun at your expense if you have plowed thru
this piece this far. A challenge. Now, no one likes a challenge,
we say we do, but we don't really. In fact, you may not like this
one. This is a little like how to get gold for nothing. Stand in
a corner of a room and do not think of a Polar Bear. Simple. Old,
but simple. Works every time. Now for the challenge. Remember,
you are warned here. Do not read further if you do not like
challenges. Okay? OK.
What ever rod you are going to get, or just got but have not yet
fished (fished is the key word here), when you take it out on the
water and actually fish it, on the very first fish, of any kind,
that hits your fly, of any kind, you must land that fish or sell
the rod.
Yikes, Sell the rod if you lose the very first fish? Yup. The
tomato-stick is forever jinxed and will never be worth a hoot.
And you are not allowed to tell the buyer why you are selling
it until after he has bought it, then you must tell him why
you sold it. That's the challenge. Don't worry that now you
have heard about it you must do it. Nothing could be further
from the truth. You may in time forget you even heard of the
idea.
But, I will tell you this. It will give you a little to think
about for a while. Maybe until you fish the next rod. Something
to anticipate at least. Oh yes, this does give you a real valid
reason to buy a new rod, 'cause I said so. ~ James Castwell
|
