|
You may think it is by accident that you get
into the trap so often, "Hey, how did ya do
out there?" That's the voice of your buddy. The
trap has been sprung. You lose again. No matter
how the situation is set up; fish caught, fish
released, number of rises, how many hits or fish
jumped. So goes the old saying, "He who hesitates...loses!"
(Every time!)
If you answer that you got six hits, he got eight.
You released five, he released seven. There is now
way out. One solution to this is to always be the
first one to ask the question, that way you can lie
and win every time, until, of course, he smartens
up. But that has drawbacks too. Let's say you
actually did catch five fish, not a hard thing to
probably remember. But, if you have to lie about
it and claim seven, now that could back-fire at
some time in the future. Something to consider.
You might be able to pull it off if you are real
good but chances you will fail at least once and
that could cast doubts on everything said before
and after you get found out. I used to surf-cast
alongside a guy who had a great answer, "I just
got 'hammered' out there tonight!" Drove me darn
near nuts, no way to beat that type of report,
he didn't quote any numbers. I got around it
finally by just not fishing with him; drastic,
but solved the problem.
Now I don't want you to think I have painted an
impossible situation for you there is one way to
rise above the situation. It is a lot to consider,
but give it a little time to sink in. How about
the truth? I know, we have a reputation to hold
up, we fish therefore, we lie. But, it does not
have to be that way. It started years ago and no
one has dared to break the chain, all it takes
is one guy, why not you? Here is how you start
off.
If you catch five fish, answer, "Five!" That,
of course, will be doubted, some will figure
you only got perhaps three or so, but in time
will find out that you actually did get five.
Yikes, you have broken the string, lies are out,
truth is in. I know, I know, this could upset
the whole of fly-fishing, but so what, time
for a little heresy anyhow.
You know, in fact, none of us really do care if
you got five or six or seven or whatever amount.
We are so wrapped up in our own numbers we just
are not interested. You see we have been at the
game for so long we may not be able to adapt to
any new set of rules of honesty. But, you on the
other hand, you may yet be able to go for it,
there may yet be time. Only you can make that call.
Consider too this. Let's say you go plodding
through forty or fifty years of fishing and
telling lies that we don't believe anyhow. What
has that gained you? Nothing good I will imagine.
And you have had to live in fear of being found
out (by others who lie anyhow, so it won't be
too bad, really) and you have had the burden
of guilt gnawing at what's left of your conscience.
Come clean my man, fess up while there is still
time. Avoid the awful torments of guilt and
despair! Smell the coffee, get on the bus, be
the first one on your block, lead the parade
and "Tell the Truth!"
Forgive me... what have I done...?
~ James Castwell
|
