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We've been watching the Winter Olympics, fortunately we are
able to get the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) and
weren't stuck with the American version. I think we spent
a total of ten minutes on the NBC coverage, where they
talked over everything with more emphasis on the 'stories'
than on the events. Really tacky in my opinion.
Our sincere congratulations to all the athletes who competed in the Olympics!
Watching these marvelous athletes is uplifting and should
be an encouragement to all to keep their dream and not give
up. It is competition in a very pure form. (Well, if you
keep the judges out of it.)
We have other forms of great competition of course, the World
Series this year was one which had all of us chewing on our
fingernails. It was grand. List all your favorite competitive
sports here, and realize other than the Olympics most in America
are 'professional' businesses. The Olympics is not without
problems, and it has too become a business - but for the
athletes it is still about the pure joy of competing and
personal achievement.
I'm grateful fly fishing has not been caught up in the idea
of competitive sport. I know there can be some friendly competition
between fishing buddies, but as a whole the competition if you
want to call it that, is between the fisherman and the fish.
I haven't seen anyone jump on the idea of the Fishing Competition
in the Great Outdoor Games last summer, and frankly I hope that
just dies.
There obviously are saltwater tournaments, ice fishing tournaments,
bass fishing tournaments, and even a "one fly" contest or two.
But the competitive spirit just doesn't translate to the very
personal sport of fly fishing.
There is competition among casters of the fly - and I think that
is a good thing. It encourages people to find out more about
casting, the dynamics of rod and line and the physics which are
in play. If a person gets serious about throwing a long line,
they also tend to know more about fly lines, backing, shooting
heads and leaders.
We had a distance casting competition at the Fish-In 2001. It
was a sanctioned event to the American Casting Association (ASA)
rules. As it turned out my husband J. Castwell was the winner.
Some muttered he should not have entered since he is a "professional."
In which case we would have had to disqualify Al Caucci and all
of his guides who entered. Since I also teach professionally
I would have been disqualified too. Since the rules (ASA) we were under
had no such disqualification, we all entered.
I understand a few people have been practicing. Hurrah!
I was the first caster in last year's competition, somebody had
to do it. And, since I have never cast in a sanctioned
tournament - or ever cast a tournament rod (you can use your
own equipment) - I thought it would be a nice experience to
use the tournament rod provided by Ron Kusse. I did not do well.
But, here's a word of warning for those who plan on entering
this summer, the rod JC won with last year is my rod. He will
be using his new 8 wt. Burkheimer - and I'll be using mine.
Those who want to beat JC will have to practice - and you can
bet we both will be practicing too. Technique is great, but you
simply have to practice to keep everything working.
Why do I enter? To be honest, I am competitive. I like winning.
And I think if I do well at all, just maybe some people who would
not try a casting competition will get involved. I also hope
some other gals get involved. You know, sort of, if I can do
it anyone can?
If you think you need a little help with your long-line casting,
or want to learn more about casting in general, keep in mind we
will be teaching casting every morning from 10:00 a.m. until
noon all week at the Fish-In 2002. That of course is free for
those attending the Fish-In.
We are adding an Accuracy Competition for 2002 as well. This
will be on the pond up above the motel units, and will also
be an ACA Sanctioned event. We will have the requirements
for the Accuracy up well before the event - but you can practice
your accuracy with some paper plates placed out at 20, 30, and
40 feet in the meantime. I think there may be one target at
60 feet too, but start working on the shorter distances for now.
If you aren't familiar with a Fish-In, check the information for
2002 at: Fish-In 2002.
There is a ton of photos from last year's event at:
Fishin 2001.
It isn't too early to start planning - trust me, even if you aren't
competitive at all, or care about your casting, there is a lot to
do and see at the Fish-In. Why don't you join us? ~ LadyFisher
If you would like to comment on this or any other article please feel free to
post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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