I reread my original post - and WOW! It really does sound self-righteous. I believe that the point that I was trying to make was lost in the self-righteous tone of the original piece. The piece does come off as arrogant (and elitist)- not my intention, but definitely the result.
I did paint with too broad a brush (I must admit, broader than I intended) and thus did a disservice to other fly anglers by perpetuating the stereotype of “the arrogant fly-fisher”.
I have read your post several times and still fail to see the arrogant, self-righteous tone that has been blabbered about.
You qualified your statement with “as I see it”. You didn’t say this is the way it is and that is it. Your opinion is just that and you are entitled to it. There are many who share it and I can certainly see and fully understand how you came to it. You said nothing wrong, or offensive and the context should have been easily understood.
Andrew…not to take anything away from the (any) answers you’ve had… sometimes this is what happens on boards.
If you make a blanket statement (and yeah, we now know that wasn’t your intent) sometimes things come across differently than intended. Wording can be fickle.
Now, I’ll step back and reiterate…hope I didn’t speak for everyone if everyone’s not seeing my point here.
With that, I’m saying that if we were around the campfire, with a couple askew glances and a joke tossed in for grins, you would’ve cleared up the misunderstandings…
Boards can be like that.
And you don’t know how much I’d like to turn this around on ya and collect my $10 from the judge! G
Jeremy…runnin’ an’ duckin’
[This message has been edited by Jeremy (edited 01 November 2005).]
[This message has been edited by Jeremy (edited 01 November 2005).]
Andrew I already said I wasn’t offended by your post . I don’t think an apology is needed . A persons Intent is hard to convey in type its much easier to get a point across in person . For gosh sake don’t stop posting your honest opinions . Sometimes Its good to keep people on their toes .
[This message has been edited by Gnu Bee Flyer (edited 01 November 2005).]
No apology required Andrew, It was your opinion. It just seemed a little presumptuous for you to determine why people fished and their intentions by the equipment they used.
My take (MHO) is that you are into the quiet reflective, solitary nature embracing opportunities that Fly-fishing can provide. The often-combat style fishing for migratory species does not offer that kind of experience and can in fact be quite the opposite.
When I am “Floating” I will fish the runs with well-mannered groups, skip the “party zones” and scout out smaller runs and holes that are away from the crowds. I have had many interesting conversations with seasoned Floaters and enjoy the solitude of an empty stretch of river equally.
I think what you are seeing is a younger crowd of anglers that are attracted to the fast pace, the precision equipment and the very effective hooking rates that Floatfishing provides. Seems a little raucous for my tastes as well, but when I hear them talk about their experience, they say the same things as you. They love being outdoors away from the crowds, hearing the birds sing, the running water and being next to nature. Not so different really, …perspective.
For those not too familiar with Float equipment and techniques (11’to 15’ Rods and Centerpin Reels), here is a site that may give some info and background. [url=http://www.questoutdoors.net/skills/centerpin/:8fcf3]http://www.questoutdoors.net/skills/centerpin/[/url:8fcf3]
Cheers
DuFf
Some days it’s just not worth chewing through the restraints…
I’ll be the first to admit that when I want to fill the freezer with pan fish I grab the spinning gear and fish fat heads under a slip bobber. However, this rig never gets used in trout streams. Then it’s just me and the fly rod. I don’t think your post was arrogant. You just seemed to need to vent and that’s fine with me. Who am I to cast the first stone?
Andrew
If you really wanted to rant against float fishing fools than I would suggest you post your comments on [url=http://www.floatfishing.net.:4ae52]www.floatfishing.net.[/url:4ae52] You may really get some interesting replies there.
I use both types of equipment but the main reason why I fish is to get outdoors, not to catch fish.