Then why bother contradicting tjem?
SNIP
Oh itīs quite simple really. Up until a while ago, when other pressing
considerations affected and altered my life more than somewhat, I was not
merely enthusiastic about angling, I was completely obsessed by it, and
still am to a considerable extent, even though I have not been fishing very
often recently, and indeed for quite some time.
Just talking about it with like minded people, most especially people who
really know what they are talking about, is enjoyable for me. One may leran
something from practically every angler, tyro or expert, and many prove to
be most congenial companions to boot! Of course not all are congenial
companions, but the real anglers almost always are. It is something
intrinsic, which can not be explained unless you belong to the "clan of the
elite". Sounds awfully pompous I know, but I can not express it otherwise.
I canīt even tell you what a "real angler" is, although I know one when I
meet him, and often donīt even need to meet him.
One also learns a great deal oneself as well, either through study, copious
reading ( also an abiding pleasure, and not just about angling of
course),deep thought, research and conjecture, or experience.
It is not at all difficult to learn a lot about something you love, indeed
quite the reverse. Of course such an obsession precludes many other things,
and one must accept this. I never found it a problem, and my wife, although
by no means as enthusiastic as I was, did it as well, simply because she
loved me at first, but after a very short time, she also enjoyed it
immensely. She even tied a few flies now and again, presumably to see why I
was so fascinated by it? I can not in all truth even begin to fathom her
motivations in this regard, although we knew and loved each other so well
that we were very nearly ( but unfortunately not quite) telepathic in many
respects.
Angling can indeed be "all things to all men". At least I believe so. For
some it is merely a means of spending a pleasant sunny Saturday afternoon
twice a year, having a beer, dangling their feet in the water, and watching
a "bobber". Others fish in excess of a hundred days a year, intensively ,
with an incredible array of knowledge and equipment, constantly giving great
thought to the matter ( as I did for a very long time), every day brings new
revelations and pleasures, and a "kind of peace". My apologies, but my
meagre powers of expression are dwarfed by the extent of the emotions and
complexities involved.
Of course one must think about it, all the time really, and to "outsiders",
one may appear to be a completely obsessive nutcase. I was never much
interested in doing things that pleased or impressed others, although of
course I have done some of that as well, I was more interested in spending
my time in what I thought to be a sensible and pleasurable manner,
regardless of what others said, and often completely regardless of the
consequences. Now even more so! I soent more than two thirds of my early
life playing truant, and fishing. Would I advise anybody else to do this?
Certainly not, but it was right for me, amd even if it was not, I did it
anyway, and am now unable to change it. Oneīs greatest enemy is time, and of
course eventually death. How am I going to spend the rest of my life? I
donīt know, but I imagine that fishing and related subjects will once again
play a large part in it, if for no other reason than that I basically have
nothing else. I may be lucky, and meet another nice lady ( ridiculous
expression "nice lady") but I am not banking on it. I might die tomorrow, or
next week, or thirty or more years from now. Who knows?
Whether angling as such, is intrinsically sensible or not, is quite
another matter. I can not really explain to you why I do it, or why I love
it. It is something you have to experience. Either you are an angler, or
you are not. If you are, then you require no explanations, amd if you
arenīt, there are none that will convince you, even assuming somebody wished
to convince you in the first place!
"Better than sex?". I think not, but there is little point in such
comparisons. They may well both be instinctive drives, but angling is far
more complex. Pleasure is also a relative thing. Do you want instant
gratification, or do you prefer to savour things? One can not compare an
orgasm with catching a fish, at least I donīt think so! Orgasms are also
relative, it depends on where, and who with. Mostly in the mind I suppose,
but the effects are nevertheless dramatic. With someone you love, it is
almost a cataclysmic experience, or it may just be casual sex, where you
might just as well have masturbated.
God? I donīt know. I donīt believe in anything at all of such a nature.
Humans are merely relatively advanced animals, some of whom are blessed with
a modicum of intelligence, and when they die, then they simply die, just
like any other animal. I donīt require any "spiritual" crutches, and am less
than comfortable in the company of those who do, especialy those who feel
obliged to tell me all about their "truths", although I have no objections
to them beliveing whatever they like, as long as it does not materially
damage anybody else. It would surprise me to learn that God had anything at
all to do with fishing, or indeed anything else. I donīt consider
fly-fishing ( and I donīt exclusively fly-fish anyway) to be a religion.
Merely an intensely absorbing amd enjoyable pastime.
Unfortunate that most people seem to spend very unhappy lives. They are
discontented with just about everything. I never was. I can not abide liars
and cheats, among a number of other things, but otherwise I am happy to live
and let live. If I died at this instant, I would have no cause for complaint
( assuming I got the opportunity!
) Whicb of course I consider unlikely in
the extreme!
Basically, it is impossible to know what an idiot thinks, unless you are an
idiot, in which case it would do you no good anyway, although you might be
less affected . It is equally impossible to know the motivations of others,
indeed you may well not be able to know your own. This is part of the "human
condition", and there is no help for it.
My only real regrets in life, are that my wonderful wife died far too soon,
and that I am still completely ignorant of so many wonderful things. I am
nevertheless garteful that I was lucky enough to experience at least some of
them.
Lastly, it does not really matter what you fish with, the main purpose of
the exercise is to enjoy yourself. What others think or say is immaterial.
You are not the first to ask, and doubtless you will not be the last, but I
really have no interest in publishing a book. Although at one time I did,
doubtless blinded by my own perceived brilliance, or the unwarranted praise
of others. Indeed, I have a couple finished, but writing, for me, is more
or less the same compulsive disorder as fishing, and I rather doubt that I
have anything new to say. I am not, and never was interested in earning
money, as long as I can survive reasonably well, I am content. More money
would not
necessarily improve matters.
There are already so many awful books on the market, and the number
is increasing daily! Unless I could add to, or somehow consolidate or
clarify existing knowledge, I can see no point in such an exercise. Apart
from which, learning things on your own is very important. It is an integral
part
of the experience, and the resulting pleasure. Just doing what somebody else
tells you to do is largely boring, however "successful" it might be. Success
of course
is also relative!
Yes, the extract you quoted is indeed one of my more recent articles, you
can find the original here;
http://www.ruhrpott-flyfishers.de/fl...bindetisch.htm
I speak four languages, but only feel really competent to write in two of
them, (mainly in English of course ), but I have written a few in German,
and a very few in French, although these have to be corrected by a
native speaker! My wife spoke six , four fluently, something I was always
envious of!
Most interesting to hear such questions, but very difficult indeed to give
any adequate answers. One is obliged to branch off into all sorts of
conjecture and philosophy. I was extremyl lucky, in that I began angling at
a very early age.
Of course it is more difficult for someone of your age, but the virus is the
same!
You are more than welcome to visit, should you be in the area. Just drop me
a mail. I can no longer offer any "exclusive" fishing on local waters, as I
have resigned from nearly all the clubs I belonged to, mainly due to
financial considerations, but that is also a rather odd thing, anglers donīt
even really need either fish or water. A bottle of single malt is however
more or less mandatory.
Apart from which, we could be in Denmark from my place in about three hours!
Best wishes, regards, and tight lines!
Mike