As many of you may know by now, the Norwegian skiing coach gave the world a lesson in sportsmanship. During an Olympic cross-country skiing event, a Canadian skier broke a pole on an uphill climb. Without hesitation, the Norwegian coach rushed forward from the sidelines and handed the girl a new pole. She and her partner not only finished the race, but won a silver medal (I believe the Norwegians failed to make the podium in that race). Is this not the true spirit of the Olympic Games?
So what does this have to do with fly fishing…
Well, what if we were all such “good sports” on the water? If a nearby angler broke a pole, could we let him borrow our back-up that’s in the truck? What if the fly we’re using is catching us a mess of fish, but the guy beside us hasn’t yet figured out what’s working? Could we offer a little advice, or give away a fly?
I think the best way for Canadians (and for us all) to thank that Norwegian coach to is to perform our own act of kindness in return - whether it by on the river, or on the street. What a world it would be…
Over here, … the salmo salar “fellowship” is pretty small. We all know the Guides from other rivers and they know who we are too.
Friends fro our home waters will travel around and visit other rivers. What goes around DOES come around.
We are ALL embassadors for our river, city, region, sport when we travel.
What would you rather have your region known as:
[ul]
[li]A bunch of drunk, garbage spillin’, foul mouthed poachers or, …[/d8802][/li][li]a kindly group of respectful and helpful fellow anglers who went out of their way to meet 'n greet strangers.[/d8802][/ul][/li]
Easy choice eh !
Tight Lines …
p.s. … Somewhere, there’s a group getting together funds to send a couple thousands litres of Maple Sirop the Norway
Great thread!! What you are advocating is such a simple act of kindness and generosity. It get to the essence of living right side up in an upside down world. I’ll never forget the first time I went trout fishing and I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing. A man well into his 60’s motioned for me to join him. He explained the “runs”, deep holes, and holding areas. He suggested a certain fly and when I told him I didn’t have any (I had maybe 8 flies in my box) he gave me a couple. He left me there to work things out. I didn’t catch a fish, but I’ll never forget that random act of kindness on his part. I’ve been fortunate to repeat that same act of kindness to several others through the years, and I know many on this board have done the same. As Wilford Brimley used to say “It’s the right thing to do”. Thanks for the post.
Andrew, the only way a person can’t get assistance from me is if they’re rude or discourteous (are these the same thing?). I give away many flies streamside, probably even more than I lose, and I almost never fail to give advice or assistance if it seems welcome.
Andrew,
Yup, its always good to help a guy put in a good day on the stream, but look out for the free loader who will bleed you dry if given half a chance!
I met a guy fishing with a spinning outfit who seemed to know a good deal about fly fishing. He lamented the fact that he had lost all of his possessions and was drying out in a VA hospital.
I let him use one of my rods. His spirits brightend as he made some nice casts and caught a few fish. He decided to leave the hospital, get a job and some new tackle. He told his Dr. that he had made a miraculous recovery.
I spent a lot of time helping him get back on his feet but he was a first magnitude freeloader…calling me for favors whenever he needed something.
I took him from city to city for miles and miles just to help him find an affordable car. He finally found one and put about 30,000 miles on it before the wheels came off. And what do you think? He was angry with me for not finding him a better one. Sheeesh! What did he want for $.01/mile.
I could go on and on. If you ever find this guy on a stream somewhere, avoid him like the plague! You’ll know its him in a day or two. But it took dumb old me several years!
Commen sense reaction but uncommon deed on the Part of the Norway coach. I believe the fly fisherman of today grew out of the fly fisherman of yesteryear. Stream side manners and gentlemen ways will hopefully continue on into my childrens lives. If we teach and live kindness we will be rewarded with the same. Maybe thats why I like fly fishing and fly fishermen so much. I’ve been had by some people over time but I get over it. Jonezee
I always try to give advice to kids that are blanking when I am catching. Just a few weeks ago, I was catching trout and these two kids next to me didnt get a single bite, so I showed them how to chum for the trout and gave them one of my corn flies. (I dont care if it isnt true ffing.) The very next day, they were cathing the trout like crazy on my adice while I blanked with powerbait on a small jig.
absolutely - share flies, I tie more than I need, just in case - spare rods, well, not quite there yet, but have a couple on hand anyhow - where they’re holding, etc., etc., etc.,. Its quite rare that I’ve come across a fly fisher that wouldn’t help - in any sort of way.
We’re an odd bunch around here - still get odd looks and questions. Maybe that’s the tie that binds … who knows.
You bet I would loan that fisher my back up equipment. I share information on what the fish are hitting on and where they are at as well. I detest snobby fishers and will tell them to their face about their water side manners.
Now here is something that has happened to me several times. I am standing by the lake fishing and a spin fisher approaches me. The spin fisher claims that fly fishing looks like fun but they could never master it or have tried to fly fish and couldn’t cast well. I hand them my fly rod and the lesson begins. If you are patient, they will be patient and not get frustrated. For your own well being show them the love and joy of our great sport. I have been rewarded many times by returning to the same spot at a later date to find them there, fly rod in hand.
Well, I guess I’m gonna sound like a jerk, but that coach was being PAID. He had a JOB to do. And that was to put HIS team on the podium…plain and simple. His act of “kindness” cost his team a medal in the Olympics. That’s called “poor judgment.” The Norwegian Olympic committee should make sure this guy never works for them again. Perhaps he can find work with the Canadian ski team. They obviously need his help.
And…no…I’m not loaning a stranger my back-up rod, either.
Sportsmanship is not about being “nice.” It is about being FAIR and RESPECTFUL. I, for one, think it’s sad that we now live in a world that cannot distinguish the difference.
My New Year’s resolution is to have more fun…even if YOU don’t.
I believe that angling in general draws the sorts of folks who will help each other out. At least that has been my experience. I mean, look at the people here on FAOL and what is done for each other out of simple brotherly love.
d8802][/li][li]a kindly group of respectful and helpful fellow anglers who went out of their way to meet 'n greet strangers.[/