CONFESSIONS
Recently the Ladyfisher and I took a day trip to West Yellowstone, Montana to attend the Federation of Fly Fishers Fly Fishing Fair & Conclave. The last Conclave that I attended was here in Livingston in 2006. There was the normal cadre of fly tiers working their magic for the benefit of the crowds, some casting ponds out back of the exhibit hall, some drift boats on the front lawn, and a small assortment of vendors inside the main exhibit hall. Not much has changed except it seemed smaller, the crowds were sparser, and most of the attendees [including yours truly] were several years older.
Perhaps it is my age that is showing but somehow it seemed that fly fishing has become all too serious. I think it started when the Federation decided to become the arbiter for the fly casting world by establishing the “Certified Casting Program.” While I recognize that since we now have a plethora of “Fly Fishing Schools” that offer fly casting instruction it might be helpful to have some method of determining if the instructor knows how to put the fly reel on the rod and thread the line through the guides, but it seems like overkill when the average angler feels the need to have someone tell them that they are a “certified fly caster.” I’m afraid that my attitude about that is somewhat cynical.
I understand the importance of certificates since I have a drawer full of them. I spent 23 years as a judge and each year I received certificates for the continuing legal education classes that I was required to complete. I also spent over 20 years in the fire service and chief of our auxiliary fire department [volunteer back-up for our paid department] for nearly 15 years. In the process I received numerous certificates including certificates as an EMT First Responder and advanced firefighter certificates. These certificates demonstrated that I had completed the required course work and had demonstrated a level of proficiency that qualified me to perform the duties of each of those offices. As a judge I was required to know the law and the procedures required by our Constitution for individuals involved with our legal system, and as a firefighter and EMT I had the responsibility of not only knowing how to safely deal with various emergency situations but I had the added responsibility of insuring the safety of the firefighters under my command. Learning how to do those things was important, and certification of competency in those skills was important for more than my personal ego.
I must confess that I have always viewed fly fishing as a fun thing. While it might be important for some people to become a certified fly caster capable of executing all the various types of casts with picture perfect perfection I am just satisfied with making a cast that puts my fly in the front of a feeding fish. If other people think my casting looks like a disaster waiting to happen I don’t care, and I have found that the fish don’t care either. Years ago I mastered the double haul but I doubt that I could do it today. That’s OK since I have no need to throw 100 feet of fly line, and except for exhibition purposes I had no need to do it years ago. Somehow I have managed to catch my fair share of fish without having to resort to 100 foot casts.
The fact that I take fly fishing in a casual manner has cost me a friend or two along the road of life. Never much cared to be the leader of the band, I was just content to be one of the members of the band.
I think that it is helpful to step back occasionally and remember that fly fishing is basically the act of waving a stick around in the air. The act of waving the stick propels a special string that more or less gracefully flies through the air. Tied to the end of the special string is a concoction of various natural and man-made materials that is intended to fool a fish. The stick may have cost several hundred dollars or just a few bucks, but in the hands of someone that understands the principles of fly casting both sticks can produce the same results. The concoction tied to the end of the special string may have been carefully crafted by a fly tier of some note or simply be something turned out by a fly tier who cranks out a few flies on a twenty dollar vice in the corner of his garage. Flies, whether tied by a ‘master’ or a tyro are just stuff wrapped on a hook, and if they succeed in fooling a fish, which, after all, only have a brain slightly larger than a garden pea, they have accomplished the purpose for which they were created.
Now remember, I am not the final word on any of these matters, and that really is my point. If getting a certificate to hang on the wall to demonstrate to others that you have ‘been there and done that’ get that certificate. If you want to learn to double haul even though you seldom, if ever, have the need to use it then get out there and double haul away. But if your loops are sloppy, a long cast is 50 feet on a good day, but you are having a good time and you manage to catch a few fish along the way I say hooray for you.
If you desire to tie flies that are fit for framing as objects of art I say have at it. But if your tails are too long, your bodies too fat, and your hackle is askew but it works for you – bravo. As the Ladyfisher says, “Whatever floats your boat!” [My normal response is water] What fly fishing needs are more band members and fewer drum majors, but that’s just my opinion.