I apologize for sidetracking the tread with my post. What I related really was traumatic to me at age 18 in the back of a Buick. I thought I might need shots.
Seriously, down here in the Northern Neck of Virginia we have experience with rabies. A few years ago an 80 year-old man was chased all over hi slot by a rabid otter. Then, the Commissioner of Revenue’s wife was cornered by one until the local trash hauler showed up and killed it with a shovel. I got ugly letters to the editor about my coverage of those events, too. I guess I best go to sensitivity training.
My worst experience with a real beaver was on the Jackson River. I was astream and it was ashore. I heard a splash and a Labrador sized animal brushed my leg heading for deep water. I didn’t need shots but a change of underwear.
I m sorry I messed up a serious thread. Having been scared of rabies since I was a kid 60 years ago, I didn’t realize the import of the post.
Post-exposure treatment for rabies is no longer the terror that it once was. You get a series of immunoglobulin shots. In your arm. Expensive, yes, but not painful.
What I wonder is why people would let a wild animal get that close to them. The stories made it sound like it was lying in wait for victims, and attacked them viciously.
I apologize if my Bucky Beaver image link posting offended anybody.
I suspect many of us visit many FF boards. They are all different in personality and situation. I visited one that was like a biker bar. I “snuck out the door quietly” and have not been back since. Some are like neighborhood bars, streamside campfires, or various types of fly shops. FAOL has always struck me as LF’s living room, so I’ve tried to comport myself here like I was in my mother’s living room. I’ve never posted anything here that I would not have posted in her living room, and she ran a pretty strict living room.
In all these various environments, I’ve come to expect that fly fishers will respond with some good natured teasing, ribbing and banter when the opportunity is presented. Lord knows, I have been on the receiving end of some of this.
Seems to me that, if you can’t take this without getting your hackles up, you should probably avoid places where fly fishers gather to chat. If you can’t take the heat, no matter how mild it is, probably best to stay out of the kitchen. If you are attracted to FFing kitchens, but sensitive to heat, there is no kinder place to be than FAOL. I truly believe that and I’ll try to do my best to keep it that way.
Hi Jim. Welcome to the board…and the internet. I like your signature line. (says a lot)
You’re right. Rabies isn’t funny. I can imagine that for you, living in PA…it’s extremely scary, especially if your tying to enjoy fishing those beautiful trout streams. I know I’m very concerned to see this pop up in the beaver population. I run into beavers on the rivers here, daily, so I find this news rather unsettling.
On the other hand…people have different ways of coping with fear. Humor is certainly one of them. I know that first hand and I think I’ve earned the right to say this. “Get over it, and take a big strong stick with you when you go fishing.” You never know what’s lurking behind that big tree or rock.
That photo shows you are stronger than the bear and have a terrific sense of humor. Down here south of the border animals like rabid beavers and cottonmouth moccasins are one of the reasons we like stainless steel revolvers.
You must realize that folks that always make a joke about everything are demonstrating that they have low self esteem and are merely trying to pump themselves up by promoting their recognition.
