Irish Tea and Soft Hackles

The Movie

It would probably be great to look like Brad Pitt, at least for a while. But then, being the center of so much female attention might get old. Just a thought. And I really don't know since I've never had this particular problem. I suspect likewise for most of the fly fishermen in my hemisphere. Like our bank stranded cousins, we tend to be unshaven and dressed in whatever old apparel we've found comfortable, and sometimes we certainly have the scent of fish or sweat. Not a pretty sight...or thought.

There is no doubt though that the trend of being fashionably clad with the latest (and don't get me wrong, latest can be good) fly fishing apparel was strongly influenced by the movie, A River Runs Through It. This phenomenon is hard to explain considering the characters in the movie were not necessariy using modern equipment nor dress, but instead, the fashions of that period.

Fly fishing can be an expensive sport, but it doesn't have to be. Yes, if you let it, the original investment can shrink a wallet, but to keep things in perspective at home, take your wife down to the local boat dealership or marina and price a new bass boat. I hope it works for you because my wife won't fall for it. She manages to elude the comparison and keep the load of guilt directly on my shoulders! Yet in her defense, I admit that she has never minded my fishing or spending, as long as I'll admit to it.

A person can get started with a minimal investment. On the other hand, it's easy to get hooked by a marketing strategy that sells you rods, reels, waders, and vests labeled "for beginners" so that you will soon feel you've outgrown them. Our culture adapts us to believe that a $600 rod has to be better than a $200 rod. And to land a fish over 9.738 inches, you must have the latest in disc drag technology. Makes you wonder how they caught big fish on fly rods forty years ago, doesn't it!

What I'm going to propose now is what I consider to be insights gained along the way. It seems that we all wander away from these ideas at times. I'm not a a fly fishing guru, don't even know what that means, but I hope these suggestions help someone at some point in time.

Things to consider:

A more expensive fly rod probably won't make you a better caster. Learning to be a better caster though may allow you to take advantage of a higher performance rod. A rod that costs 3 times as much may give you ten percent better performance, assuming that it's really a better rod! Think about that.
One of the ongoing jokes among fly fishermen is the idea that tying flies can save money. Truthfully, a person who fishes a lot probably could save money by tying his own flies. I just don't know anyone who does! To do so, a person would have to be frugal, restricting himself to a small variety of flies to keep from having to purchase a large inventory of supplies. Also, the planets would probably have to be lined up in the right sequence. In other words, it just doesn't happen! The best we can say is that we tie our own flies to get exactly what we want. That, and to exercise our egos.
There are a lot of good lines on the market! The major brands all have good lines. Obviously, their best lines are typically their top of the line models, but their midrange lines are also usually good lines, maybe just a little older technology. The fish don't care! I have a couple of latest technology lines, but most of the lines I have (my wife keeps asking how many on all these things) were bought at discount or clearance prices. These are quite often the next to latest technology. It would probably be wise to shy away from the low end lines. In the ranges above that, whatever you wish to spend will probably get you a serviceable line. It's a sure bet that a good line on a cheap setup is far better than a cheap line on an expensive rod and reel.
My first vest came from Wal-Mart. I wore it for several years. It was 100% cotton and had become quite ragged when I purchased another. The second vest I may have worn two or three times. It just didn't feel right. My next vest was a more expensive synthetic cloth model with lots of pockets, etc. It hangs in my storage room, seldom getting worn because it's heavy! A fishing shirt with large pockets for equipment is hard to beat in the summer, and a lightweight fly fishing all-weather jacket in the winter works well. The vest remains hanging. Recently, I've bought a shorty mesh vest that is light and comfortable. It's a Simms, but I bought it at 45% of the original price! Once again, closeout!

I've said my piece! This hobby is not brain surgery, just common sense. There are more rods, reels, lines, items of apparel, etc. than one could ever hope to evaluate, even if he had the experience and knowledge to do so. These thoughts have worked for me and seem good sense. I'm not out to sell anyone anything!

Brad Pitt and The Movie have already done that!

thoughts by Johnny McJunkins

Home