Fly Anglers on Line has a contest going for the
Fly of the Millennium.
A winning fly should exhibit at least subtle differences from its
predecessors in either form or function. I really doubt that any
truly new flies will be presented as the last thousand years have
shown us an amazing collection of winners.
I would have to vote for the soft hackle. This is the fly that has
caught trout before we had bamboo rods. Any fly that has caught
more fish, over the years, than could be put in the hold of a medium
sized cargo ship deserves serious consideration.
Do you think it will suddenly fail in the next millennium? I hardly
think so. The trout haven't changed. The Dame's trout are our trout,
some of ours may be a little more selective, but essentially the same
trout. If a soft hackle won't catch those "difficult" trout then the future
fishers will just do with out. If the trout are that much sharper then
a trout dinner is history. Fish sticks will be the order of the day.
The increase in the trout population will be a well documented
phenomena.
Sentient fishers will be afraid to wade in the same
rivers with those hungry trout. Fear will prevail. Stream side first-aid
stations will be the order of the day. Old fly fishers will be known
by their peg legs. Fly fishing will become a serious adventure like
climbing Mount Everest. Insurance companies will reap huge rewards
catering to fly fishermen. Brown trout will replace automobile accidents
as a leading source of national fatalities. When this comes to pass
Fosters Lager will sell like hot cakes at every stream side establishment.
Stockholders for Bud light should tremble. A sad travesty on the
times. It will be known as the eon of tears.
Several years ago I cultivated a great source of feathers. There are
thousands of old women with no social security or other means of
support that raise birds in their apartments for the pet shop trade.
These great people supplied me with soft hackles that were amazing.
These feathers were not documented in the literature. Great things.
Never look down on a molted feather. I had canary feathers that no
one else had. My soft hackles took on a new dimension. They didn't
catch any more fish but gosh they were pretty, and different.
Soft hackles are alive and well in this age, and will be well into
the next millennium. The change may be in different rare feathers
that more closely define the hatch, but I doubt it. When a partridge
and orange fails to produce, then sell your fly rods. Be afraid to
wade with those trout. Sometimes fear can be a sensible thing.
PS: I'm not submitting a fly as it wouldn't be right to take advantage
of Bud Lite drinkers. If I do send one later it will be for exhibition only.
A tasty fly for nasty times. Only fish it with a Fosters Lager. Please
release some of what you catch and always buy a drink for your
elders. ~ Old Rupe
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