I am reading about Dr James Henshall and tying some classic bass flies. I was intrigued by the article in the autumn 2012 issue of Flyfisher, Tying and Fishing Dr.Henshall’s Favorite Flies by Terry and Roxanne Wilson. I came across this quote in his book, Book of theBlack Bass - 1881,
“Should you cast your fly into a branch of a tree overhead, or into a bush behind you, or miss your fish striking, or lose him when hooked, or crack off your tail-fly, or slip into a hole up to your armpits - keep your temper; above all things don’t swear, for he that swears will catch no fish. Remember, yours is the gentle art, and a fly-fisher should be a gentleman.”
I tried this today during the Cowboys vs Bengals game. It was hard with all the C’boy’s mistakes but I endured and they won by a point at the last second. Hope I can remember this when I’m on the stream. Jim
So far only those who can’t live without swearing have posted here so I guess it wont hurt to hear from the other side. When I was young (a Submariner in my 20s) I could out swear and drink most people. But when my Daughter was born and a 5 year old neighbor boy came over and wondered “where the f*** the baby was”, I told Her Mother that my Daughter would not learn to talk like that from me. I’ll admit that it was hard to quit and if I get real mad a word may slip out. But I don’t miss it. Does this mean that I’m a better Fly fisher? NO, It just means that I’m more pleasent to be around and I don’t fish with people who do. Just my two cents.
Denny and other admins, this was intended to be an amusing anecdote from the historical origins of our sport. If it turns political, religious or mean spirited please delete it and my apologies to all.
Thanks,
Bill
For years now, I have been training myself, whenever I feel the need to vent an expletive, to utter, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!” Most of the folks who know me, know that when they hear that, it’s not good.
Lemme see…former military, prior law enforcement and construction for the last 36 years…yup, I could scald ears with my profanity at one time. However, 10 years ago it occurred to me how completley unnecessary, unflattering, uncouth and crass profane language really was. It became my belief that if I couldn’t express myself without resorting to profanity then I needed to expand my vocabulary. The use of profane and vulgar language no longer has any presence in my vocabulary. That isn’t to say I haven’t slipped but I can count the number of times I have on one hand. I doubt it has any effect on the number of fish I catch but my speech no longer sounds as if it came from the gutter.
Oh…I have quiet conversations with fish. No yelling involved. But they get the point. I will even smile and offer a quiet chuckle as I tell them little ^&&^%$#'s about themselves! At least I’m pleasant about it though, and I try not to disturb the natives.
