Irish Tea and Soft Hackles

Old School

I Just Don't Understand

Well, they've done it now! I've kept my mouth shut about a variety of changes over the years for fear of being labeled "old school". The truth is out! I guess that I truly am old school and, if so, I'm proud to accept the moniker. I order senior coffee at McDonald's with pride. I take the senior discount at Wendy's.

A few years back (or more), I hit age fifty. Now, I'm breathing down the neck of sixty. Upon reaching fifty, it occurred to me that I'd spent my life with the constant strain of conformity hanging over my head. This is not all bad. For the sake of family, friends, our influence on others, etc., we learn to live in society hopefully with a modicum of conformity. At fifty I told myself that no longer do I have to follow the tide. I can indeed walk to the beat of that different drum. Has it worked? Well, not as great as I would like to believe.

It also allows me to be wordy! But back to the "They've done it now!" The British government has recently announced that schools should no longer teach the "i before e except after c", spelling rule. Now I ask you, what has come of our social behavior? Has spelling gone the way of anarchy? Do we now have socialized spelling? Do I qualify for a stimulus package to reform my spelling behavior?

We've soothed our sins through the years. We've progressively named our bad habits as illnesses, now we must trash one of the basic rules that makes us feel safe in a democratic society. What next? Only one space after a period (already happened)? Or no capital letters in text messaging or email (already being done)? Do you not see what's taking place here? The old, safe, and comfortable existence we've enjoyed is no longer. The rules are gone. Our kids have control.

A short while back, I was wandering around the grocery store, not able to find anything, my usual condition while I'm there. In the canned vegetable section I found Canned New Potatoes. Do I have to say any more? From years of gardening and the delightful chore of digging spuds, I find that term an oxymoron (a funny word within itself). How can canned potatoes be new? That's as bad as the old worn out saying of driving on the parkway and parking on the driveway.

If you are still reading (Bless your heart), you are probably asking, "How does this apply to fly fishing?" Without saying it doesn't, I'll try to tie in a couple of points.

Over recent years, we've been preached to about the value of catch and release fishing. Rightfully so. Yet like most things, it has its place and a consequential down side. On a put and take fishery, the number of fish stocked might be partially calculated by the number of fish taken out. Creel surveys which count fish harvested are part of the process to determine actual stocking conditions. Think about that. Also, consider this. Catch and release does leave fish for others to catch, however we must not reach the mind set that it is wrong to keep fish when legal. I'm afraid that we are seeing a conditioning of the minds of many fishermen, slowly training them to the conclusion that killing a fish is wrong. If so, anti-hunting has reached fly fishing. Would the next step be to outlaw fishing?

Traditional values hold a major place among the fly fishing community. It is my wish that the next generation of fishermen hold to these values when it comes to ethics and etiquette. The influence of professional athletes has done much to taint sports all the way down to the level of our youngest kids. My hope is that fly fishing will stand above this influence, but my fears are that a new influx of fishermen will bring in different values. It is our work to let our actions show them proper ethics and etiquette. As my high school principle, M. H. Peebles once told me, "If you don't teach our kids, who will?" That struck home!

Yes, I'm now officially old school! In fishing, I'll fish where I want, how I want, when I want, with what I want, and with who I want as long as it's legal and ethical. I'll try hard to treat you with respect and expect the same of you. So spell you words with "e"s and "i"s as you wish. Don't use capital letters if you don't want to. Go fishing often, and keep a few if you wish. Just don't be a fish hog. And show respect to our outdoor resources and the other people who share them with you. Life is too short to do otherwise and live with regrets.

This last thought is tough on an old schooler. George Orwell's "1984" has arrived, albeit somewhat late and different from what was expected. Big Brother has appeared in a more seductive form called the Internet. All good things come with a price. Even Internet addiction has even been given a name, Internet addiction disorder (IAD). With all the great information online for our use, even in fly fishing, the communication network has also stolen a part of our lives, our privacy. Only time will tell the consequences.

God bless you all. Good fishing!

Johnny Mc

thoughts by Johnny McJunkins

Home