Question:
I showed up at the Quaboag at 1:15, about 4 hours later than the main group, and just a few minutes later than Paul Goodwin, who was just tying his boots as I pulled in. Got to meet Frank Reid, Daytripper, Gary McMeekin (who has the strangest Boston accent I ever heard), and Bob Rose, and got to see Dave Lacourse, Paul Goodwin and George Adams again. Nice bunch of folks! Yes, ROFFians do exist in real life (if you can take my word for it…). I had just gotten suited up and was raring to get into the water, and LaCourse stuck one of those Sleeman’s Ales into my hands. I made the sacrifice – gave up fishing to drink another beer. Unfortunately, half of the group left not long after I arrived, but I got to spend some quality time with Tripper, Paul and George. The weather was great – mid sixties, partly cloudy, slight breeze, like a day in heaven after three days in a row if blazing 90+ degree weather. The water was really warm – at noon they measured it at about 65, but by 5, it was almost 70. The hatches are all screwed up, we didn’t see anything coming off in the afternoon. I heard tell that several people had found a few fish earlier in the day dredging nymphs (including a brookie and a few smallies taken by Tripper, and a few rainbows by the Pirate, one of which was possibly 17", and Frank Reid got something). Paul (I don’t care if there’s no fish on top, I’m fishing a dry fly) Goodwin said he had a rise to his fly. I managed to land an enormous 4" chub (first of the season, on a green rock worm, got me into my backing<g, on my first cast – is that a bad omen?). Aside from that I was fishless – no detectable hits on any of the nymphs and emergers I cycled through. All in all, a great afternoon. Great company, great weather, nice stream, not a lot of fish. Looking forward to maxi-claving next week at Penns Creek! They do have fish in Penns, right? –StanGula
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My first fish of the day was on an elk hair caddis. After a few minutes of fishing tripper comes walks over. While we were talking something took the fly I had let drift downstream. A few casts later I brought to hand a large scale silver trout about the same size as Stan’s. I did see one rise out in front of me but couldn’t coax it back up. I worked my way down stream and tried streamers, conbinations of dries with droppers and still no luck. I heard some noise back up stream and figured that Louie had fallen in again. It turns out It was Frank with a fish on. About 1/2 hour after I should have been home we moved to a spot down stream. I managed a 12" rainbow on a caddis emerger. I left to go home about 15 min later. Paul
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I showed up at the Quaboag at 1:15, about 4 hours later than the main group, and just a few minutes later than Paul Goodwin, who was just tying his boots as I pulled in. Got to meet Frank Reid, Daytripper, Gary McMeekin (who has the strangest Boston accent I ever heard), and Bob Rose, and got to see Dave Lacourse, Paul Goodwin and George Adams again. Nice bunch of folks! Yes, ROFFians do exist in real life (if you can take my word for it…). I had just gotten suited up and was raring to get into the water, and LaCourse stuck one of those Sleeman’s Ales into my hands. I made the sacrifice – gave up fishing to drink another beer. Unfortunately, half of the group left not long after I arrived, but I got to spend some quality time with Tripper, Paul and George. The weather was great – mid sixties, partly cloudy, slight breeze, like a day in heaven after three days in a row if blazing 90+ degree weather. The water was really warm – at noon they measured it at about 65, but by 5, it was almost 70. The hatches are all screwed up, we didn’t see anything coming off in the afternoon. I heard tell that several people had found a few fish earlier in the day dredging nymphs (including a brookie and a few smallies taken by Tripper, and a few rainbows by the Pirate, one of which was possibly 17", and Frank Reid got something). Paul (I don’t care if there’s no fish on top, I’m fishing a dry fly) Goodwin said he had a rise to his fly. I managed to land an enormous 4" chub (first of the season, on a green rock worm, got me into my backing<g, on my first cast – is that a bad omen?). Aside from that I was fishless – no detectable hits on any of the nymphs and emergers I cycled through. All in all, a great afternoon. Great company, great weather, nice stream, not a lot of fish. Looking forward to maxi-claving next week at Penns Creek! They do have fish in Penns, right? –StanGula
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Was glad to finally meet so many of the ROFFians previously known to me only in cyberspace. Good group of guys, all of whom come across in person the same as they do here. I was happy to see that our guest, frank, did well. He landed a few really nice rainbows, and lost a real good one which precipitated a lot of whooping and hollering. Cap’n Louie also did well, but that was to be expected as he had been "pre-soaked" so to speak. I only managed one small rainbow and a couple of "silver trout", but this still ranks as one of my best fishing days. Good luck to all of you attending the Penn’s Clave. George Adams "From the rockin’ of the cradle to the rollin’ of the hearse, the goin’ up was worth the comin’ down." ___Kris Kristofferson "The Pilgrim/Chapter 33"
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Question:
Hi, I am looking to buy a new fly rod. Any suggestions or comments on certain brands of fly rods? I would like to buy a rod under $300.00. Thanks, Ben Grady
I’d try a St. Croix Legend for around $200 you’re getting a great rod. The seats are kinda shitty but they fish just fine. Powell signature series is also nice and so are Loomis GL3. If you’re really tight like me try building one. You can get a kit through Angler’s Workshop in WA for about $150, I’ve buildt 2 of their " house" brand rods which were old IM6 blanks dumped by Loomis a few years ago.
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Hi, I am looking to buy a new fly rod. Any suggestions or comments on certain brands of fly rods? I would like to buy a rod under $300.00. Thanks, Ben Grady
Sage DS Gene
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Regarding a fly rod for under $300, I spend a month every summer fishing the Livingston area of Montana and have used a rod that may suit you very well. I have a 8′6" 5 weight Reddington rod that I enjoy. It’s pretty fast and may load better (fish better) with a 6 weight line. The "plus" is that it has a lifetime guarantee and over-the-counter "no questions asked" replacement policy. I broke mine on the Missouri last summer (closed it in my truck tailgate) and Reddington "red-labeled" (UPS Second Day Air) me a new one. They were very professional. They run about $225-275. Also, try the Sage Discovery Series.
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For general all purpose use a 81/2 to 9foot sage II discovery rod will meet your requirements. But first go to a fly shop and test the rod first. All top notch shops will be glad to help you,if they dont leave.
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I am looking to buy a new fly rod. Any suggestions or comments on certain brands of fly rods? I would like to buy a rod under $300.00. Easy formula answer. If you do not know what "IM6" means, buy the cheapest rod marked IM6 that suits your needs (right length and weight, feels good in the hand etc.) The price will be between $50 and $100. (If you know what IM6 means, you wouldn’t have asked exactly this question. This was the latest and most expensive new rod material about 10 years ago.) — | Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs, | | Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734 |
the answer is not quie so easy as the reply suggested. IM6 is still very much in use in high end rods. Pick up an IM6 Winston, and you will be holding $500+ worth of rod in your hands (and worth every penny). On he other hand, there are other generations of graphite, such as IMX, that will be in your price range. The answer to your inquiry is to ry out al sorts of rods until you find what feels best to you and is in your price range. No one can tell you what will be best for you. Lyman Lyman G. Hughes Dallas, TX Ennis, MT
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Hi, I am looking to buy a new fly rod. Any suggestions or comments on certain brands of fly rods? I would like to buy a rod under $300.00. Thanks, Ben Grady
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I am looking to buy a new fly rod. Any suggestions or comments on certain brands of fly rods? I would like to buy a rod under $300.00.
Easy formula answer. If you do not know what "IM6" means, buy the cheapest rod marked IM6 that suits your needs (right length and weight, feels good in the hand etc.) The price will be between $50 and $100. (If you know what IM6 means, you wouldn’t have asked exactly this question. This was the latest and most expensive new rod material about 10 years ago.) — | Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs, | | Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734 |
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Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The thing of it is, all this competitive junk we heap upon our pursuits more often than not will keep us from enjoying them fully. Don’t worry about your ‘level’, answer the question ‘Am I having fun ?’ If yes, then keep doing it ! An interesting aside, I was recently approached to run a FFing school and was kind of uneasy about it, though I didn’t know why. This string answered my question, think I’ll pass ! jc COME ON! jeeze! you guys are relentless! The level thing was obviously (to me) a tongue in cheek post concerning the realization that that you really *are* here to be in the moment and enjoy your surroundings : 5)just go fishing and soak in the experience, catching fish just a plus… If you guys would stop trying to be so damned elitist, you would see that half the posts you flame are posts you would agree with if you would take the time to read them.
Congratulations, You have demonstrated a command of the language which may be unobtainable by the "elitists". Words do have meaning. Reading is such hard work. Dennis
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: I’ve been flyfishing for more than a decade, and a couple of years ago I : realized I had reached the fifth level of flyfishing. The levels are: : 1) catch a fish with this hard to operate equipment : 2)catch lots of fish : 3)catch a large fish : 4)catch lots of large fish : 5)just go fishing and soak in the experience, catching fish just a plus… I’m at all these levels, I love to fish and catch fish, whether it’s tarpon in Florida or bluegill down the road, or just watching a trout feed and not wetting a line. Why limit yourself. I will fish for anything, anywhere, anytime and enjoy it. John
Well said! Jack
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How many of you were ever new to flyfishing? Do you remember that first stike, how the excitement surged as you "swung and missed". And that rush as you clumsily horsed in you first fish. And what about the satifaction as you let that first big brute go after a battle well fought. Let us not loose sight of why we fish…That big chess game we play with Mother Nature. Instead of limiting the players, why not educate them on how the "game" is played. Anyone who wants to enjoy this wonderfull sport of Flyfishing should be able to WITHOUT the harassment of others. Maybe a helping hand should be extended instead of a judgemental finger. Dana Clark
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Pavlov) writes: : : tim: look, why don’t you cut folks like the originator of this thread : a little slack. he did nothing to deserve your relentless sarcasm, … : Maybe everyone is getting a little touchy. I don’t see how Tim’s posts reflected on the originator of the thread. The one that you quoted was a response to someone else altogether. greg pavlov
It never fails to amaze me that regardless of the hobby, there are those who use their proficiency as a weapon to downgrade those who are less accomplished. When I first got into photography (prior to the wonders of the internet) I ran into the same smug and demeaning attitude I find on this forum on occasion. Let’s face it, after A River Ran Through It was released thousands of newcomers became enamoured with flyfishing. Some of these people are just trendy types who confuse fishing with ownership of all the toys. They will never really appreciate the joy of standing in a stream and taking it all in. Most of these people will fish awhile and then put their equipment in the closet along with the remains of their other short-term obsessions. On the other hand, there are those who seriously enjoy the experience and who plan on spending the next several years learning flyfishing and being responsible in what they do. Oldbies should take the time to learn the difference. Bo Johnson
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Dear Gentlemen; If I may expand this idea of "the clothes make the man": Sure, there are a lot of middle-aged and younger flyfisherman with the newer more technologically developed gear, but look at where 4-wheel drives have gone. Who would have ever though a uper-mid. class house wife would lust after a Chevy Blazer, for heaven’s sake! There are a lot of established F.Fisherman here in the east who don’t have a lot of money and who persue their sport with the single-midedness of an olympic athelete. They welcomed me to thier waters, (if not thier ranks, yet), and gave me the info I neede to catch fish. None of these guys act in a demeaning way if you do not have the best equipment. If you have the *right* equip., that is important. They know what will catch trout. They also know that just having the right equip. guarantees nothing. Stuff works or it doesn’t. Sometimes, no matter how good you rod is, well, trout can’t read, and they have no concept of money. Some fantastic F.Fisherman from my home area, NW PA, have rather inexpensive glass rods and cheap reels. They learned long ago that the flyline and the presentation of a fly which the trout *might* take are the most important factors. We cannot get on people’s cases about equipment. Technique will be lost. I honestly need better technique. I know I don’t do what I should as well as I should, but expensive equipment (or new) will not help me. Overall, I have found that the oldest of the order are the most accepting of new blood. They are less competetive for fish. I owe them tremendously. Sincerely; Jason Beary
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Another level altogether: when you take your neighbor’s kid out because he/she looks a little down. You leave your rod behind so you can concentrate on helping this youngster have the best time he/she possibly can. — Laboratory for Applied Logic Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho www: http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster —–BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—– Version: 2.6.2 mQCNAzDtvLEAAAEEAKAC21G2Be0K0DMgjLpxrwLmsYfCz8rWcfgyABjr3Ryfk1dO nV7fFFpUF3xohR7die+/B2V9oqRQzTLeSF2ECKlsTY/yUyw2kn+P2ju1umh4Fwzd cVTvc+H69q1+Ft3kmw/PE0Pan+g0PUGGJ43stw3q4OgBHdixbRd/f9giJFDxAAUR tCZKYW1lcyBBLiBGb3N0ZXIgPGZvc3RlckBjcy51aWRhaG8uZWR1PokAlQMFEDD8 ReEXf3/YIiRQ8QEBFrAD/2AFuRWcD/3MENC3qJMC/Or1qxknjkK7Uv+TDf2LHPOY GHBbG9PyWuXQ8of0Dd+JYwf/tzlO9Yk1s1zTdikfriak21FW0bCokxDIhA3myppZ IZDWVA9CyvDYHuP5Ii1NkBvocab813JzDLZA+0iVN5sebGb9zSXR4Za47hlriHeP =RDHK —–END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—–
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"Another level altogether: when you take your neighbor’s kid out because he/she looks a little down. You leave your rod behind so you can concentrate on helping this youngster have the best time he/she possibly can." This person is a "master" fly fisher. We all concentrate on our equipment, where we fish, how many fish we catch and so on. After many years we reach a level where we own fine quality equipment, we’ve fished all of the popular waters for a variety of species, and we’ve caught more fish than we can remember – and probably fewer than we sometimes profess. At this time we are regarded by our peers and ourselves as accomplished and notable fly fishers. But, until you take the time to pass along you knowledge, in a gentle and patient manner, you have not mastered the sport. Congratulations on reaching this ultimate plateau.
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I’ve been flyfishing for more than a decade, and a couple of years ago I realized I had reached the fifth level of flyfishing. The levels are: 1) catch a fish with this hard to operate equipment 2)catch lots of fish 3)catch a large fish 4)catch lots of large fish 5)just go fishing and soak in the experience, catching fish just a plus…
Is it possible that there is a (6) Be near water dreaming of the fishes with no intention of doing anything to them, but knowing that you could, if you wanted to..? Rowing my little dory on trappers lake and seeing all of the cutts in the gin clear water with no desire for… Dooo Dooo Dooo…. …ripping lips. Tim Walker
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: (6) Be near water dreaming of the fishes with no intention of doing : anything to them, but knowing that you could, if you wanted to..? Tim, maybe you should start an RFD for "rec.outdoors.stop-fishing" because that’s what you seem to advocate nowadays. — Jeff Smith Graduate student http://www.msc.cornell.edu/~jeffs Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : (6) Be near water dreaming of the fishes with no intention of doing : anything to them, but knowing that you could, if you wanted to..? Tim, maybe you should start an RFD for "rec.outdoors.stop-fishing" because that’s what you seem to advocate nowadays. Nah… But I’d like to see… rec.outdoors.flyfishing.lets-put-the-fishing-back-in-flyfishing rec.outdoors.flyfishing.is_fashionable rec.outdoors.flyfishing.natural_order_is_extinct rec.outdoors.flyfishing.C&R.might_as_well_stock_the_olympic_sized_pool rec.outdoors.flyfishing.pensive rec.outdoors.flyfishing.binaries.pictures.erotica.trout.tasteless Tim Walker
tim: look, why don’t you cut folks like the originator of this thread a little slack. he did nothing to deserve your relentless sarcasm, which is simply becoming tiresome to many of us who might even agree with some of your positions. if you want to engage in competitive verbal abuse, pick on someone your own size. just email me or fletcher or jeff smith, etc., when you feel froggy. meanwhile, let the newbies and the innocents alone to do their walden/thoreau thing in peace. a. wayne harrison
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: : : (6) Be near water dreaming of the fishes with no intention of doing : : anything to them, but knowing that you could, if you wanted to..? : : Tim, maybe you should start an RFD for "rec.outdoors.stop-fishing" : because that’s what you seem to advocate nowadays. : : Nah… <blah, blah, blah : Tim Walker Tim… *yawn* oh, nevermind. -chuck o. —
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I’ve been flyfishing for more than a decade, and a couple of years ago I realized I had reached the fifth level of flyfishing. The levels are: 1) catch a fish with this hard to operate equipment 2)catch lots of fish 3)catch a large fish 4)catch lots of large fish 5)just go fishing and soak in the experience, catching fish just a plus… Am I alone, or have others experienced this with their own fishing?? Oh yeah, I’m the guy who started the thread about discovering "slower" rods and increasing my enjoyment of the sport 10 fold… Dennis
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: I’ve been flyfishing for more than a decade, and a couple of years ago I : realized I had reached the fifth level of flyfishing. The levels are: : 1) catch a fish with this hard to operate equipment : 2)catch lots of fish : 3)catch a large fish : 4)catch lots of large fish : 5)just go fishing and soak in the experience, catching fish just a plus… : Am I alone, or have others experienced this with their own fishing?? : Oh yeah, I’m the guy who started the thread about discovering "slower" : rods and increasing my enjoyment of the sport 10 fold… : Dennis Yea, I’ve reached level 5 too… But I skipped levels 2, 3, and 4. 
-chuck o. (not joanne b.) OST, maybe I did attain level 3 (w/o attaining level 2, of course)… depens on your definition of "large." —
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: (6) Be near water dreaming of the fishes with no intention of doing : anything to them, but knowing that you could, if you wanted to..? Tim, maybe you should start an RFD for "rec.outdoors.stop-fishing" because that’s what you seem to advocate nowadays.
Nah… But I’d like to see… rec.outdoors.flyfishing.lets-put-the-fishing-back-in-flyfishing rec.outdoors.flyfishing.is_fashionable rec.outdoors.flyfishing.natural_order_is_extinct rec.outdoors.flyfishing.C&R.might_as_well_stock_the_olympic_sized_pool rec.outdoors.flyfishing.pensive rec.outdoors.flyfishing.binaries.pictures.erotica.trout.tasteless Tim Walker
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: But I’d like to see… : rec.outdoors.flyfishing.binaries.pictures.erotica.trout.tasteless What would be in this group… the 4 inchers or the 10 inchers? — Rick T. Rick Fletcher – http://www.chem.uidaho.edu/~fletcher/ Assistant professor of chemistry | That’s Idaho, not Iowa. | ad hominem University of Idaho | Upper Left Hand Corner. | ad hominem Moscow, ID 83844-2343 | No, I don’t grow potatoes. | ad hominem
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Congratulations on attaining that state. Welcome to the group of flyfishers that see the spiritual aspect of flyfishing. Not only see it, but practice it. I too progressed through the process. Level 5. Jonathan Livingston Seagull wondered what level is next. JJ
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : : (6) Be near water dreaming of the fishes with no intention of doing : : anything to them, but knowing that you could, if you wanted to..? : : Tim, maybe you should start an RFD for "rec.outdoors.stop-fishing" : because that’s what you seem to advocate nowadays. : : Nah… <blah, blah, blah : Tim Walker Tim… *yawn* oh, nevermind. -chuck o. —
Go Tim! Go!
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WHAT IS IT WITH SOME OF YOU GUYS/GALS? You were new to the sport at one time so why not give a lot of newbies a little slack? We may be newer to it than you but we certainly do not come to it with any less honorabel intentions. We too love the outdoors and the total experience. We too love the idea of learning to excel at the sport. SO, PLEASE forgive us if we take a spot on the water once in awhile.
It’s concepts like being at a "level" that make me feel like joining Tim Walker sometimes. There seems to be this "karate school" mentality about; white belt, yellow belt, black belt etc. that people need to attach to everything. It’s as if we need a constant reassurance of our self worth. The twisted thing is, fishing has traditionally been a place to get AWAY from this crap, it’s a mental state where you just exist as a part of the water. It’s inner peace. If it’s there for you, it’s there regardless of your ability. When I started FFing it was like 1967, and I used to fish in the ocean for pollock, mackerel, cod and the occasional sea raven, when is like a sea robin that inflates when out of the water, we used to call them ‘grubbies’. It was a delight for me to catch anything then. I never thought of a grubbie as being inferior to a striper, and had never heard of tarpon, bones, etc. Now I catch mostly stripers & blues, but this summer I was standing on the dock at our marina just dangling a clouser in a couple feet of water and up comes this mass of weeds – no it’s a grubbie! and arcs under the fly, returning to the piling he lived at. I was thrilled, by a ‘trash’ fish. The thing of it is, all this competitive junk we heap upon our pursuits more often than not will keep us from enjoying them fully. Don’t worry about your ‘level’, answer the question ‘Am I having fun ?’ If yes, then keep doing it ! An interesting aside, I was recently approached to run a FFing school and was kind of uneasy about it, though I didn’t know why. This string answered my question, think I’ll pass ! jc
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I have to confess, I’m a little surprised at the simplistic ideology being embraced in this thread. To believe that any pursuit in life is a straight-line progression from crude to intellectually and spiritually superior is a little naive. I have fished for 35+ years, 24 of those as a fly-fisher, and I have days when I just want to be out in the environs and every- thing else is secondary and days when catching a fish is almost a holy quest. It depends on a lot of factors. How long since the last time I was out? Who am I with? Have I ever fished this body of water before? What kind of reputation does this water have? Did I get a chance to tie any of those secret weapon flies I’ve been telling all my friends ‘can’t miss’? How good am I feeling about myself this week? It’s too complex to reduce to "I went though stage 1 in 1974, stage 2 in 1976, etc." I guess, to me, fishing is a form of play. The child in me wants to be mature and philosophically superior. But, it’s just a child and is too busy enjoying the pursuit to spend the time and energy analyzing its motives. When it all comes together and I rise to that ‘higher plateau’, I enjoy the smug feeling. And, when I’m in my neanderthal frame of reference, I enjoy that too. Just so there is no mistake– I always protect the resource to the best of my knowledge and ability. I have removed many thousands of yards of monofilament from streams and beaches in my 35+ years. I never go into the woods that I don’t take a trash container and return with any trash I see, can reach, and can carry. My sons were a little upset when they realized not everyone had a dad that made them pick up trash in the woods. But, that’s just one of the rules of the game, as I play it! Tight lines and Happy times! Charley
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WHAT IS IT WITH SOME OF YOU GUYS/GALS? You were new to the sport at one time so why not give a lot of newbies a little slack? We may be newer to it than you but we certainly do not come to it with any less honorabel intentions. We too love the outdoors and the total experience. We too love the idea of learning to excel at the sport. SO, PLEASE forgive us if we take a spot on the water once in awhile.
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: I’ve been flyfishing for more than a decade, and a couple of years ago I : realized I had reached the fifth level of flyfishing. The levels are: : 1) catch a fish with this hard to operate equipment : 2)catch lots of fish : 3)catch a large fish : 4)catch lots of large fish : 5)just go fishing and soak in the experience, catching fish just a plus… I’m at all these levels, I love to fish and catch fish, whether it’s tarpon in Florida or bluegill down the road, or just watching a trout feed and not wetting a line. Why limit yourself. I will fish for anything, anywhere, anytime and enjoy it. John
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The thing of it is, all this competitive junk we heap upon our pursuits more often than not will keep us from enjoying them fully. Don’t worry about your ‘level’, answer the question ‘Am I having fun ?’ If yes, then keep doing it ! An interesting aside, I was recently approached to run a FFing school and was kind of uneasy about it, though I didn’t know why. This string answered my question, think I’ll pass ! jc
COME ON! jeeze! you guys are relentless! The level thing was obviously (to me) a tongue in cheek post concerning the realization that that you really *are* here to be in the moment and enjoy your surroundings : 5)just go fishing and soak in the experience, catching fish just a plus…
If you guys would stop trying to be so damned elitist, you would see that half the posts you flame are posts you would agree with if you would take the time to read them.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have to confess, I’m a little surprised at the simplistic ideology being embraced in this thread. To believe that any pursuit in life is a straight-line progression from crude to intellectually and spiritually superior is a little naive. I have fished for 35+ years, 24 of those as a fly-fisher, and I have days when I just want to be out in the environs and every- thing else is secondary and days when catching a fish is almost a holy quest. I guess, to me, fishing is a form of play. The child in me wants to be mature and philosophically superior. But, it’s just a child and is too busy enjoying the pursuit to spend the time and energy analyzing its motives. When it all comes together and I rise to that ‘higher plateau’, I enjoy the smug feeling. And, when I’m in my neanderthal frame of reference, I enjoy that too.
Dear Sir, You have summed up quite elonquently what I meant by spirituality. I don’t recall writing the word "Superior". I must clarify that my intention was not to convey a sense of superiority. But, wanted to convey that the whole process represents spiritual growth. There is no elitism here…..elitism has made me puke for years. JJ
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), inspires me to almost superhuman efforts, here goes: When learning how to cast a fly, you will soon cast with grace and pride, if you keep your wrist stiff, and your elbow tucked tight to your side, the muscles in your shoulder should do all the necessary work, keep your movements smooth and gentle, don’t overpower or jerk. Don’t wave your arm about, just move your forearm normally straight up and down, to start your cast, your line keep tight, and your rod level with the ground your casting hand should never go above your shoulder height Your back cast should be straight behind, a small loop high and tight. The forward cast is just the same, a smooth and gentle easy throw, and the rod tip should not deviate from its path, and the line not drop below, the arc the tip describes, until at last you flick and gently follow through practise this quite simple cast at first, until it