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July 20th, 1998
GULP
or, FLY-FISHING 2000!
Envision this. A gently flowing stream winding peacefully back
and forth thru the most magnificent meadow setting imaginable. The water is a constant
temperature all year long, always the same depth. No run-off, no flooding,
no drought. The stream has all of the usual features. It has back-eddies with foam,
runs with current seams, ripples with rocks, pools with over-hangs, it has everything
a stream designer could think of. The water is shallow enough to be waded, deep
enough to use a float tube (PFD).
The water runs at the same cfm year around. The 'trout' will
be stationary, fixed mounts of REAL fish. The idea being to cast to the open mouth
protruding a slight bit above the controlled surface. And the stream is in a 'loop.'
That is, it has no start nor stop; it just returns upon itself.
Impossible? Not at all. This is the vision of things to
come; and probably very soon. This is 'Fly-fishing, 2000.' Just imagine the
possibilities! None of the usual problems of which fly to use, when to go,
what equipment to use, etc. This is 'Fly-fishing' at it's very best. Modern
technology has taken all of the problems out of it and now ANYONE can
be a 'FLY-FISHER'! (For a few paltry bucks).
But wait, there is more, far more! Let me explain
how it will be. 'These,' streams can be built virtually anywhere, i.e.,
everywhere, even in a MALL! Just think, no seasons, no weather
problems! Any country, any state, any city. There will be 'famous'
designers who will travel all over and design these streams for big
bucks. This will revolutionize fly fishing as we know it now. They
can design in things like 'land-hazzards' which will stick out of the
water and offer casting and fishing situations. The possibilities are
endless.
The 'loop-streams' (hereafter referred to as
'Gulps') will have set rules. There will be 18 fishing positions on
each. An angler may choose to go through twice in one day if he
has the time. Thus making an exciting 36 fishing holes in a single
day. Fantastic. The idea will be to see (1)how many fish can be
'caught,' (2) using the least possible casts, (3) in the shortest period
of time. Dividing the square-root of the former into the later and
multiplying by the middle number the angler arrives at the 'score.'
After all, fly fishing is a game, therefore it must have a true method
of keeping score.
I can see a definite interest here for the U. S
Army Corps of Engineers in facilitating the construction of the
sleek-creeks, having had much experience in Florida in years past.
Commercial enterprise will blossom. Rental equipment, on-stream
sales, replacement equipment, how-to books, it's endless.
I foresee the use of 'motorized-float-tubes' for
those executives with little time for recreation, (but lots of dollars to
spend). The inclusion of a 'gillie' to tag along and tie on flies, remove
the fly from the stuffed fish, point out which fly should be used and
when, etc. He could carry (at a discreet distance behind you) your
'extra fly rods' and hand you the correct one.
Multi-use could produce additional benefits
as the American Hydrofoil Assoc. could possibly use them as a
training place for the new 'Lighted Hydrofoil Olympic Games' in
'off-hours'. That of course would be only on the 'un-lighted' non-24
hour streams. Think of the possibilities of incorporating a concession
with the Horseshoe Clubs of America to design cris-cross pitching-pits;
think of the added interest to all parties! Instead of a caster having to
ward off errant canoes, or whatever, he could have the thrill (for an
extra fee) of having to duck the odd whizzing horse shoe.
Just think of the benefits of allowing Team
Competition in Gulp! The comradery, the agony, the pain! Fly
fishing at it's ultimate.
There could be whole new 'attire' developed
for the anglers with distinguishing areas so as not to resemble a horse-shoe
stake, or, perchance develop fancy stockings or whatever. Endless,
I tell you, endless!
And here is one of the major introductions to follow.
Not some wimpy 'organization' like say, T.U. or F.F.F., or B.A.U (buggs
are us) but a whole NEW dynamic world wide club called TUFFF,
(combining of the major two previously mentioned). Now, there is a name!
(FFFTU spells nothing and so was discarded) Who among us would not
join and support a group with a name like that? They would monitor the
infringements of radical outfits like the tennis and badminton folks and such.
Yes, my friends, just give the tackle manufacturers,
the fly-pro-shops, the gurus, the industrial giants, business developers,
and the computer-geeks a place to stand and watch for the changes.
On the way to an area in your neighborhood soon. By the way, to
those just mentioned above, ya read about it on here FIRST and I get
my 10%!
~JC
Till next week, remember ... |
