24 Nov 2010 at 16:13
David Morriss once again got me to thinking about competition. He is correct. The ultimate competition is between the fisher-person and the fish. And, of course, he is also correct that none of us would enter a competition within which we knew we would always win. There have been times in the "ultimate competition" however, when I have wished that I would win a little more often then I was at that particular moment in time. I recall perfect evenings when the "hatch" was on, fish were rising all around me, and I was "shooting blanks". There have been times when I have, literally, tried every fly in the arsenal ~ all to no avail. Gosh a fella's self-esteem suffers during those periods of "bad luck" ~ or should I say inaptness? The process is a lot like putting your kids' Christmas toys together. You never read/study the directions unless you're truly stuck. Oh I might subconsciously watch to see if the risers are hitting above or just beneath the surface of the water and the general size and color of the bugs in the air, but I don't truly "study the situation" until I'm in real trouble, i.e no strikes - no nothing! Then, out comes the little screen thingie. I study the screenings. I sit on the bank and observe flying things. I closely watch the fish rising, where they are rising, how, etc. By that time it is usually dark and as I head back to the pickup, I think, "if I only had a little more time I would have figured it out!" And, quietly, I think to myself, God, I hope no one was watching.
On such occasions, what I'd really like to know is, "how does some vertebrate like a fish that has as a brain a wide spot in its spinal cord consistently out smart the human vertebrate whose brain is capable of opening child proof medicine bottles?" Of course, on those rare occasions when the fish are "biting" and will rise to any thing thrown at them, including those scruffy royal coachmen you tied when you were twelve years old, you know you are catching them because you have superior intellect ~ and of course are a brilliant fly fisherman.
One thing about the human brain we tend to "over think" these things! But, I have learned one thing over the years if you encounter a guide or some such expert that states he/she has never had a "blank" day of fishing avoid em. They haven't fished. Some days you're just out there for the "experience" ~ and if you're like I am ~ loving it .
Gordon
On such occasions, what I'd really like to know is, "how does some vertebrate like a fish that has as a brain a wide spot in its spinal cord consistently out smart the human vertebrate whose brain is capable of opening child proof medicine bottles?" Of course, on those rare occasions when the fish are "biting" and will rise to any thing thrown at them, including those scruffy royal coachmen you tied when you were twelve years old, you know you are catching them because you have superior intellect ~ and of course are a brilliant fly fisherman.
One thing about the human brain we tend to "over think" these things! But, I have learned one thing over the years if you encounter a guide or some such expert that states he/she has never had a "blank" day of fishing avoid em. They haven't fished. Some days you're just out there for the "experience" ~ and if you're like I am ~ loving it .
Gordon
Comments
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28 Nov 2010 at 20:31Gordon, When I have really hit my fly fishing zen, it stops even being a competition with the fish. I mean, sure. Most of the time I am out there to rip some lips and failing to land a few fish means I lost. But sometimes, and usually the most pleasant times, that need or urge to catch fades. It just becomes the sounds and the sights. I have even found myself sitting and watching a pod of rising trout, just to watch. Those are the times when I really get something out of fly fishing that I could get no where else. -
29 Nov 2010 at 09:55Dan, I know exactly what you mean. It's somewhat like a dance ~ sometimes its just more fun to watch. Unfortunately, we do have "dancing with the stars moments of competition". lol Frankly, I'd rather just dance for the joy of dancing. I guess that was the point of my original blog on competition. I probably got a little "off track" with the ultimate competition blog/idea. Thank you for your thoughts. I think most fly fishers would agree with us.
At another level, I went fly fishing with my older daughter, Jennie, last year and found that my greatest enjoyment was not in fishing but in watching my daughter fish. She had excellent technique and an excellent "feel" for the water, i.e. where to place the fly, etc. I hadn't fished with her for years. I was so impressed and had so much fun! I just sat and watched.
Good to hear from you,
Gordon
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30 Nov 2010 at 06:45Gordon.
Funny how we mature into different mindsets as time passes.
Remember when I first started, any not so stellar days would send me into a tailspin. Buy more books, research hatches and tie the latest and greatest flies.
If I got skunked I would go to my “Fly Shop” the next day to plead with the professionals as to a reason why!
It has never ceased to amaze me that after all these years that watching a rising fish slurp mayflies in the surface film will bring a shit eating grin to my face, how simple is that!
Perfect days now have little to do with the quantity of fish I catch in a day, as my buddy Paul says “ Catching a fish or two on a day like this is just gravy”
Fly Fishing, a perfectly imperfect way to spend the day
David - 1 Dec 2010 at 09:25David,
So true...
On a good day you can even detect the sound the fish makes when it slurps!
I especially like the gravy idea. I find it hard to think of Fly Fishing as anything other than perfection!
Hope all is well up "North".
Gordon
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