Monday 27 February 2012

like casting pearls before swine

I was approached recently to take an angler on the river for a day he is a friend of a family member .  He has for the last few years fished artificial stillwaters but decided that he would like to tackle rivers.  I had explained that Grayling in winter were a different deal to stillwater rainbows , but he was not to be dissuaded . Now Saturday was actually a nice day there were a few LDOs hatching and the odd fish was rising .  On arrival seeing the clear water and winter sunshine my mood brightened and I though that we were in for a good day.   However as I looked over the bridge I heard in my ear " bloody hell is that it" my heart sank  how could that lovely Yorkshire stream be so described.  This was a proper river at least 6 yards wide , I dread to think what his reaction would have been to some of the becks that I fish.....
Another Yorkshire stream........

I quickly learnt several things , firstly he couldnt cast unless had an airfield sized area behind him for a backcast.  He couldnt accept that flies dont have to look like christmas tree baubles.  He couldnt spot a take that didnt actually wrench the rod out of his hand.  and when we did eventually tempt a nice little grayling which was about a pound and therefore a decent fish for the river he asked when we were going to catch a big un...

All the shortcomings of his angling could be forgiven but what really wound me up was the complete and utter lack of appreciation for the surroundings and the fish.  Pointing out a kingfisher was greeted with a grunt.  The beauty of the cock graylings dorsal gained a blank stare.  The LDOs and crayfish we saw  received not a flicker of enthusiasm.....It was all "when will get a big un"....

I have learnt several lessons...Firstly never take angling guests unless you know them personally .  Secondly some stillwater anglers are a completely seperate soulless species.  Third never assume because people have caught fish that they can cast well. Fourth If you love a river dont share it with anyone who might not appreciate its beauty and lastly search their flyboxes if you find christmas decorations make your excuses . 

However it did make me realise that as bad as my casting is there are worst out there...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

4 comments:

HighPlainsFlyFisher said...

Some people just don't get it , and that's not a bad thing. If everyone saw the same beauty that you and I do in those little streams and rivers we'd never be able to find a place to park. Better just to let him continue to throw his Christmas decorations at those stillwater fish and think that he knows what he's doing.

The Jassid Man said...

I agree with the former comment from the HighPlainsFlyFisher. Some people just don't appreciate all the beautiful that sorround the water they are fishing. There isn't anything to do about it. They are just out fishing to catch fish and not to spend a lovely time in the nature fly fishing. For myself I can say that sometimes I focus more on the wildlife that sorround me than catching fish. Seeing a big owl, a funny badger, a moose or a roedeer. Often it is those things that make the day. Those are the things you remember a long time.

So have fun competing with a kingfisher when you fish your flies,
M.O. Sweden

Kiwi said...

The great thing about an angler like that is that you don't have to worry about ever sharing a beautiful stream such as the ones you post about with him. They will always more on to find "big ones" and never think to to fish where you like. It's a shame really, that they don't realize what they are missing out on. sometimes it's about more than just the fish.

Mark Kautz said...

That just proves that sometimes it's best just to go by yourself.

Mark

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