tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post8104455113958929974..comments2023-08-28T10:53:49.807-05:00Comments on The Classical Angler: Defining fly-fishing and drawing lines.Erik Helmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727530868264488710noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-70677659872159831502009-12-10T12:12:09.378-06:002009-12-10T12:12:09.378-06:00I'm a dyed in the wool hair shitI'm a dyed in the wool hair shitKen Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09195979378406590609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-53196625069744028272009-12-10T10:12:45.909-06:002009-12-10T10:12:45.909-06:00Scott,
Thanks for all the excellent thoughts and p...Scott,<br />Thanks for all the excellent thoughts and points.<br />I think the fundamental problem with this essay was that I was trying to provoke thought regarding limitations of gear and technique and the skill needed to become accomplished in this way, and somehow sort of hopelessly obscured it. The deer hunting analogy was used to take it out of context. Technique and skill vs. equipment shortcuts/choices/ etc. Most 'effective' technique vs. some measure of restraint.<br /><br />Numbers vs. art<br /><br />In the world of fly fishing for steelhead, some of the techniques used are becomming so blended as to confuse the viewer as to what the angler is actually doing.<br /><br />You put it well when you said, "What you want to get out of the experience should dictate your methodology."<br /><br />Your comments and thoughts are allways welcome.<br /><br />How cool is it that we can all have discussions like this? Can't find this in any of the magazines.<br /><br />ErikErik Helmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00727530868264488710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-90333980758870286442009-12-10T09:57:51.533-06:002009-12-10T09:57:51.533-06:00Randall,
I will work on 'da 'boo.
Thanks.Randall,<br />I will work on 'da 'boo.<br />Thanks.Erik Helmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00727530868264488710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-28021123948235448662009-12-09T21:00:06.831-06:002009-12-09T21:00:06.831-06:00Erik, Some random thoughts here.
One difference i...Erik, Some random thoughts here.<br /><br />One difference in your analogy is that you mention "deer hunting" then only give examples of "bow hunting for deer," that's like saying "fishing" as opposed to "fly fishing"--there is a definite difference.<br /><br />I'm certainly a line drawer (a hairshit, as it were ;-) ) when it comes to fly fishing. I'm a pretty hardcore dry fly fisher. Unless I want to keep and eat the fish, then I just might take my spinning rod if the fish aren't rising. I think that what you want to get out of your experience should dictate your methodology.<br /><br />So, if what I want out of the fishing experience is to hook into a big fish, and enjoy the fight, I should use whatever means has the greatest chance of producing that result. Say I'm at the local river (pond, lake, etc.). I've got my fly rod with a two nymph rig and strike indicator. But I'm not catching diddly (or maybe a couple of little planters). The folks all around me are reeling in 15"-20" fish. I find out they're using worms or Powerbait on a bait pole. Shouldn't I switch? Why don't those fly anglers who are in it for the big fish and the fight use the most efficient method--why stick with the fly rod if it isn't working? Is there some kind of machismo (or whatever) at work here?<br /><br />Now, if the angler's purpose is to enjoy the physicality of casting, then maybe they choose the fly rod over the bait setup.<br /><br />Or if the angler enjoys watching fish take on the surface they might choose a dry fly. Or maybe a popper on a spinning rig.<br /><br />My brother-in-law enjoys ice fishing: sitting around a hole for hours on end doing nothing except freezing his keister off. At least that's the way I feel about it the several times I have gone. But he likes the camaraderie of hanging out with someone else. The cold air. Whatever--he finds joy in the process, not just the results.<br /><br />I like 1) the action (both physically a) the rhythm of moving my arm/body and b) moving through the rushing river), 2) the top surface take and 3) the mountain scenery and 4) the look of cutthroat trout--those are *some* of the things I want out of my fishing experience. What methodology will get me there? A spinning rod can get me all of those except #2 (although I could rig it up with a bubble and fly) and possibly #1a. Bass fishing with a popper can get me #2, but it might be hard to get the others. Etc., etc. You get the idea.<br /><br />Same for deer hunting. If I enjoy the stalking experience, I will probably choose a weapon that requires me to get closer to the deer. If I enjoy the thought of killing an animal out of something I made, I might opt for the homemade bow or possible a black powder rifle I assembled (or maybe even forged).<br /><br />I want to experience what Randall is alluding to with the bamboo rod. Kind of like my last post about the things men have made, and the life that is in it. Bamboo rods are pretty much handmade--I want to feel that life that the maker has put into the rod.<br /><br />I'll shut up now--sorry for the hijack. Thanks for the provocative post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-1578840111769663492009-12-09T20:27:05.871-06:002009-12-09T20:27:05.871-06:00great article...
and yeah, you really do need to ...great article...<br /><br />and yeah, you really do need to get yourself a bamboo rod. I fish them all...graphite, glass & bamboo...I like them all, for different reasons. But, when you have a fish on on the bamboo, you'll understand.Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08994700733851924806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-69736250289783996732009-12-09T17:04:17.556-06:002009-12-09T17:04:17.556-06:00Hairshits are completely different....Hairshits are completely different....willie dynamitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10897026950856665222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-9524572872694607642009-12-09T16:20:35.519-06:002009-12-09T16:20:35.519-06:00"Hairshirts"
Makes more sense that way."Hairshirts"<br />Makes more sense that way.Erik Helmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00727530868264488710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-85360493728279747552009-12-09T16:12:35.084-06:002009-12-09T16:12:35.084-06:00Excuse my typo, I meant "hair shirts"Excuse my typo, I meant "hair shirts"willie dynamitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10897026950856665222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-40250853449517334122009-12-09T12:30:18.412-06:002009-12-09T12:30:18.412-06:00Will,
Yup. actually ethics and appreciation, being...Will,<br />Yup. actually ethics and appreciation, being kind to others and learning are the most important. I agree!<br /><br />I just like to question stuff and make people think.Erik Helmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00727530868264488710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3918514418757933899.post-38763153944227601252009-12-09T12:10:30.968-06:002009-12-09T12:10:30.968-06:00You have to be careful with the hairshits. Being e...You have to be careful with the hairshits. Being ethical and learning from others are two things that will complement the journey we all take as anglers.willie dynamitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10897026950856665222noreply@blogger.com