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We all know the 'tell-tale' signs; the bleary eyes, the unexplained
absence of money in the wallet, the 'lame' excuses as to, "where
have you been, what did you do, and why are you home at this hour?"
The smelly, rumpled, un-kempt disheveled appearance, the un-shaven
jowls, slouching, shuffling, half dragging, faltering foot steps.
Yes, we have all seen it and far too often. It is time we all did
something to put a stop to this insanity. And if the government
won't do anything, then we must do it ourselves. We must 'police'
our own ranks, so to speak.
How often have our wives seen us this way I ask you? All too often,
that's what. The way we squander our spare dollars, we fritter our
time away, spent far from home, deserting the very ones who we claim
to love and cherish. Yes, my friends, it is high time we did some
thing to curb this tragedy. The F.F.A. is the answer.
An organization for our fellows who suffer from 'Fly-Fishing-ism.'
The Sunday nights we come dragging back home, beat, exhausted,
look like a reject from the ash heap, no fish, no excuses,
claiming we had a 'wonderful time' and "I'll tell you all
about it tomorrow."
Yes, "Fly Fishers Anonymous' (FFA) is needed, desperately needed.
Many of us are out of control, and don't even know it. We catch
one trout on a fly and it is nothing but, 'one more cast, then
another, and yet another,' all the tell-tale signs of an
uncontrollable obsession are present. It's not like it is
a religion, or a cult; no, there are no laws, no by-laws,
no top guy sort of, unless you count the likes of Lefty,
Gary, Steve or such. No, this is an addiction, plain and
simple.
But, there may be hope. We shall start an organization for
those of us who are so afflicted, those poor souls who have
lost all rational control, those who can no longer be trusted
to catch even 'one tiny fish.' We can have get-together's at
locations scattered all over, a few in each city, where ever
they are needed. Meetings where we can try to comfort and
console each other, drink a lot of coffee for a change,
tell the truth, be brutally honest with each other no
matter how hard it may seem to be.
How wonderful it can be. Be to be free of the 'Fixation of the
finesse,' to not dream of damselflies, to no longer envy those
of the long rod, to go through life without noticing the exact
color of the insects stuck to our windshield and wondering
exactly where it hatched. Yes, my friends, we can have our
lives back if only we will give up and give in, admit we are
licked, we can not handle this by ourselves, we need help.
We once again can have money, time, the love and understanding
and respect of our families, get to know our children's birthdays
and even some of their names. Hold down regular jobs with real
companies, be respected members of our communities.
Next week I will start the organization for all of us, oh, how
grand it will be, I can hardly wait. I will take a few days off
this week to think this all through. Someplace quiet and serene
with the sound of babbling waters, the cool shade of over-hanging
cedars, the peace of a place far removed from the beaten path.
Yes, I do know of such a place, in fact, perhaps I should take
my three weight with me, the sulphurs may be on. . .
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~ James Castwell
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