My view on this:
Years ago most people received a high school education and then “hit” the “real” world working at different jobs until they found what took care of their needs money wise. No one was interested in “careers” and impressing everyone their age. There was no competition between people to see who could “out do” the other one in income or living status. Fishing was recreation and time to get away from work for awhile and nothing more.
Now “money” and “careers” and “status” is the important measure for success. No one is satisfied with a high school education and a good stable job anymore. Got to go to college and earn a degree so we can earn “big bucks”, drive fast fancy cars, own Ipods, computers, cell phones, remote controlled everything, GPS guided everywhere,etc. We are constantly competing with each other with who can compile the biggest pile of new “toys” to impress. This “money” driving force has now taken over the manufacturing companies who how have employees with degrees in marketing and all their money is channeled toward the “in” crowd of people wanting the “latest” and “best” so they can give off a “false” impression of “success”. So, the few that are left (I am one) are left out because we just so happen are satisfied with the good stable job we got years ago and have learned to survive on the income we are making and really do not need all the new toys because we are not competing with anyone. We fish for the enjoyment. We are the ones that do not spend a lot of time in the access parking lots comparing our equipment with others. We get our gear and go fishing. The shows are geared more towards the “younger money driven” group that feels it is important to have the “latest” and “greatest” so they can “compete” with others in their age group. Just because someone has gray hair does not mean they are “old”. It could mean that all the competing with others and stress created from the competition of staying one step ahead of the competition has taken it’s toll. I like shows and just go to get out of them what I wanted and pay no attention to all the “latest” and “greatest”.
The day will come when they decide all the “rat race” is just not worth it and they will become the ones, like myself and others, that are just satisfied to fish and lurk and let the “others” compete with each other, have verbal “fights” with each other and continue to stress “their” way of thinking as the “only” way. When that day comes, they will discover the true meaning of relaxation with a fly rod.
As far as TU full of gray haired politicians…I am sorry, but, that is what it takes if you are going to get anything done in this day and age. It takes lots of money and someone with “inside” pull to accomplish what is needed. So, go to your TU meetings and just overlook “money people with pull” because you need them or none of our rivers and fish will recieve any help. You go and provide the other important need of TU and that is someone who is not afraid to get dirty and do manual labor because those people are needed to.
Micropteris — I’m sorry about the youngster who came on here last year talking carp fishing with a fly rod. I remember him very well and if you would just go back and visit those pages you will see that everyone tried to help him getting started with fly fishing. He refused to talk about fly fishing and kept trying to convince everyone to start using worms and sinkers on fly rods. He kept trying to get everyone to drop FAOL and join another web site that used live bait on fly rods. He kept insisting that all fly fishers should forget fly fishing and convert to his way of fishing. He was just very uncooperative and would refuse any assistance given to him. It is a shame, but, that is what I remember about him. I think, if you could find those pages, you will see what I mean.
FAOL is made up of a dedicated group of people that enjoy fly fishing for what it is and that is a recreation and relaxing. I do not feel it is fair to call people purist or elists just because they do not agree with someone elses way of fishing.
I do not know why I took off on this except that maybe I just needed to say it. I am very sorry for boring you all with it. I only hope that maybe the weather will improve so all can get out and fish and start treating everyone like they want to be treated.
JC, I am sorry for going on like this and I will not be upset if you “deleted” it. I apologize to all for this lengthy post that probably makes no sense.