WARNING! I'M ABOUT TO STEP ONTO A SOAPBOX. YOU MAY BE ENTERTAINED, DISAPPOINTED, OR DISAGREEABLE WITH MY OPINION. AND THAT'S OK. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS POST IS NOT DIRECTED AT ALL FLY FISHING PURISTS, JUST THE ONES THAT ACT LIKE ASSHOLES...
I firmly believe in the "live and let live" philosophy of life. Being accepting of other individuals and their beliefs, race, sex, religion, etc., is an important value of mine. This relates to the fly-fishing world as well. So I have one question for the self-proclaimed "fly fishing purists"; WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?
Give it a break already! Your pompous, "we do things the right way and you don't" attitude is getting you nowhere! This frustration stems from my recent trip to Rapid City, S.D. to view the F3T. One of the F3T representatives was an obvious purist. At one point during his on-stage "performance" he began drawing names for the available prizes. After asking everyone if they were excited about 100 times, he quickly realized that some individuals folded their entry cards before entering them into the drawing. Some do it for luck, some do it in hopes of creating a slight advantage, others may do it out of habit. Regardless of the reason, "Mr. Purist" goes on a little rant about this topic. I'm paraphrasing here:
After selecting the first entry out of the cooler:
"Oh, it looks like we have some cheaters in the crowd tonight. What, are you guys bait fisherman too? I guess I'll just take all of these cheaters out of the drawing. We don't want any bait fisherman winning prizes on the F3T! Oh, here's a bait fisherman. Here's another one! Sorry, no prizes for you today, CHEATERS!"
Using the terms "bait fisherman" and "cheater" interchangeably is what has me upset here. If you only fish with flies, great. If you only practice catch and release, we're happy for ya. It's not for everyone. When you begin to look down upon, mock, and ridicule other fishing enthusiasts who don't believe in what you believe in, you are crossing the line in my book. How is a fisherman using a worm on a hook to bring some fish home to his family different from you buying/tying a San Juan worm pattern that is arguably more effective and efficient at catching trout?
I believe this to be a major reason others may be hesitant to try fly fishing. It's branded as an almost elite group open only to those who have the money and means to provide sufficient experiences. Novice anglers are likely afraid or worried of the more experienced anglers or "purists" not accepting them into the fraternal angler clique. We all want to belong, and having even one more fly fishing enthusiast cannot be a bad thing. So purists; the next time you have an urge to make others aware of your fly fishing savvy and expertise, think twice. It only hurts the sport...and your reputation.
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