Guess I'm just weird

So I get raffle tickets from Henry's Fork Foundation that they want me to
buy.

I give them money every year, so why not?

Then I look at the list of prizes and the big one is "An Angler's Dream" 6
nights, 2 each at 3 different yuppie lodges, and 6 guided days of fishing.

Well, guess what? That ain't my dream.

If I won I'd just have to give the prize away or something, as these
'beautiful people' places make me a bit nauseous.

As for guides, I can see one in one situation and one only, when you need
the boat and oars, but I'd still rather rent the boat and row myself.
Having somebody tagging along, and giving me helpful little hints on the
Fork is something I want as badly as someone watching in the bedroom and
throwing out love making tips

.... I'm not saying I've nothing to learn, only I prefer to learn on my
own, thanks

"Larry" wrote in message
.... I'm not saying I've nothing to learn, only I prefer to learn on my
own, thanks

I'm pretty much in agreement right up to this last sentence. It's been my
experience, *especially* with motor skill stuff, that some good, in-person
instruction will dramatically shorten my learning curve and increase my
enjoyment. I truly hate being unable to do something I really want to do.
OBROFF: I was managing a pretty decent spey cast in 15 minutes under the
tutelage of a helpful guide; Actually seeing someone tie a particularly
difficult pattern can blink on that light bulb in my head. I don't mind
help, I just don't want anybody tying on my flies & casting for me.

OT: my juggling skills (in a previous life) were vastly accelerated by my
attendance at a convention of accomplished & helpful lunatics. Having
helpful instruction doesn't negate the fact that you're still learning it on
your own, you're just learning it faster which, if the knowledge or skill is
your goal, is a good thing. If the struggle itself fulfills you, then okay.

Joe F.

"Larry" wrote in message
...

.... I'm not saying I've nothing to learn, only I prefer to learn on my
own, thanks

Take the guide.......trust me.

Wolfgang

On Thu, 06 Apr 2006 21:11:18 GMT, "Larry" wrote:

So I get raffle tickets from Henry's Fork Foundation that they want me to
buy.

I give them money every year, so why not?

Then I look at the list of prizes and the big one is "An Angler's Dream" 6
nights, 2 each at 3 different yuppie lodges, and 6 guided days of fishing.

Well, guess what? That ain't my dream.

If I won I'd just have to give the prize away or something, as these
'beautiful people' places make me a bit nauseous.

As for guides, I can see one in one situation and one only, when you need
the boat and oars, but I'd still rather rent the boat and row myself.
Having somebody tagging along, and giving me helpful little hints on the
Fork is something I want as badly as someone watching in the bedroom and
throwing out love making tips

.... I'm not saying I've nothing to learn, only I prefer to learn on my
own, thanks


Geeze. Jaded much?

I'd argue that most guides would love to have the day to actually enjoy some
relatively leisurely fishing without having to worry about schooling the
sport, etc.

But suit yourself. I would be honored to be your second in this endeavor.

/daytripper (snail mail address available on confirmation of your win :-)

My experience has been that it takes some time to learn a stream. I've gone
on many trips with and without a guide and invariably can get into more
fish, sooner, with a guide. I enjoy it both ways, but if getting into fish
is an important part of your trip, a guide is the best way to go on strange
waters.

Gene


"Larry" wrote in message
...
So I get raffle tickets from Henry's Fork Foundation that they want me to
buy.

I give them money every year, so why not?

Then I look at the list of prizes and the big one is "An Angler's Dream"
6 nights, 2 each at 3 different yuppie lodges, and 6 guided days of
fishing.

Well, guess what? That ain't my dream.

If I won I'd just have to give the prize away or something, as these
'beautiful people' places make me a bit nauseous.

As for guides, I can see one in one situation and one only, when you need
the boat and oars, but I'd still rather rent the boat and row myself.
Having somebody tagging along, and giving me helpful little hints on the
Fork is something I want as badly as someone watching in the bedroom and
throwing out love making tips

.... I'm not saying I've nothing to learn, only I prefer to learn on my
own, thanks

"Gene Cottrell" wrote

My experience has been that it takes some time to learn a stream. I've
gone on many trips with and without a guide and invariably can get into
more fish, sooner, with a guide. I enjoy it both ways, but if getting into
fish is an important part of your trip, a guide is the best way to go on
strange waters.



I'm sure you are right and it is important to mention that 'catching fish'
is not a high priority with me.

It was at times in my past, and over 35+years I think I've progressed though
fairly common stages ... wanting to catch a fish ... wanting to catch lots
of fish ... wanting to catch big fish ... and currently wanting to catch
very tough to catch fish.

I've discussed this with several people that have gone down the same
progression ( or regression? ;-)

The study, the effort, the trial and error, the process itself is the fun,
in MY case. Two days work to hook a single very tough SOB is better than two
50 fish days, in my book ... now.

I don't like several days of getting skunked, in a row, but I am FAR more
likely to come back to a place where I know there are feeding fish that I
can't catch, than to come back to a place where I caught a ton.

I usually do as well or better than others around me, on the waters I choose
to fish ( anyone can out fish me in a freestone riffle ) I've compared
notes with some 'name' fishermen at the end of the day without total
embarrassment G

I also know I'm just beginning to understand the waters I call my adopted
home waters, and THAT pleases me immensely ... I've found a couple places
I'll be physically able to fish as long as I can still drive and walk and
still be learning on my last day there

A last thing I hinted at in my use of a bedroom analogy, intimacy with the
water, with the environment, is important to me. I find that the presence
of a stranger I have to talk to diminishes that much more than just other
anglers nearby. Sometimes I greatly enjoy bantering with others as I fish,
on the Firehole on one of it's 'cast, set, reel, cast, set, reel,' days I
like to have company because the fishing itself isn't demanding enough to
fully engross. But when I 'really' fish it's just me and the fish and our
little niche of the world. I nearly go into a trance and I can ignore people
near, but not people looking over my shoulder G ( or whoopers :-(

I have lots of spare time ( as my boring posts here prove ) and sometimes
hours of 'just observing' are my fishing day, and those are very often the
days I enjoy the most.

On 4/6/06 6:27 PM, in article eBgZf.26046$fQ6.2835@trnddc03, "rb608"
wrote:

a convention of accomplished & helpful lunatics.

AKA Penns Clave.

:-)

Bill

Larry wrote:
over 35+years I think I've progressed though
fairly common stages ... wanting to catch a fish ... wanting to catch lots
of fish ... wanting to catch big fish ... and currently wanting to catch
very tough to catch fish.

I have dwelt in each of these worlds, and, though it may be just age, I
am now mostly in the "help others go through these stages" stage.

cheers

oz, worn out from polishing 14 fly lines

"MajorOz"


I have dwelt in each of these worlds, and, though it may be just age, I
am now mostly in the "help others go through these stages" stage.



I happen to know a much sought after guide because he has field trial dogs
and friends. I've never fished with him, but we have chatted many times.
One time I commented to the effect that I felt a little sorry for him out on
Hebgen, always paddling to get the canoe in position for a good cast, never
actually making the cast. His reply was somehing along the lines of, " I
actually enjoy helping people catch fish as much or more than catching them
myself." Bet that is why he is booked years in advance.

I have some real advancement, maybe growing up ;-), to do before I could say
that. I'm not much of a fisherman, but I've been asked to accept money to
take people waterfowl hunting ( i.e. guide ) several times.... I've always
said no very firmly ... I can't think of a better way to ruin a beloved
activity.

"Larry" wrote in message
...
So I get raffle tickets from Henry's Fork Foundation that they want me to
buy.

I give them money every year, so why not?

Then I look at the list of prizes and the big one is "An Angler's Dream"
6 nights, 2 each at 3 different yuppie lodges, and 6 guided days of
fishing.

Well, guess what? That ain't my dream.

If I won I'd just have to give the prize away or something, as these
'beautiful people' places make me a bit nauseous.

As for guides, I can see one in one situation and one only, when you need
the boat and oars, but I'd still rather rent the boat and row myself.
Having somebody tagging along, and giving me helpful little hints on the
Fork is something I want as badly as someone watching in the bedroom and
throwing out love making tips

.... I'm not saying I've nothing to learn, only I prefer to learn on my
own, thanks

Here you go Larry, your new fishing guide, just the two of you all alone in
a boat:
http://www.osweb.com/smcalen.jpg
How many raffle tickets did you buy?
-tom