There are as many flavors of angler as counting systems, and we’ve all been faced with “The Accounting” … that most common of questions put to us by spectators. It has to blend with our ethics, for those that think them other than liability has to match any remaining shreds of honor, be capable of impressing a disinterested onlooker with the quality of the experience we’ve completed, and convey to other anglers the measure of our sophistication, whether that be as a smack down, a gentle greeting, or in rare cases – the truth.
… and while we wish it otherwise the body count of the day’s fishing is made fulsome or sparse based on whichever counting system we hold in esteem, our mood, and the demeanor of them posing the question.
“… all I caught was a cold.” Humorous, dismissive, lacks detail. Best used on non-fishermen as the experience is known and shared.
“ … I caught fitty-six.” Smack down flavor, omits fly used and technique, no mention of location. Best used on fellow fly fisherman that saw you as a source of quality information – yet failed to recognize the tell-tale signs of you being a humorless prick …
“ … it was slow, they were finicky, and my fingernails are too long.” Semi-friendly, non-committal, best used when two “gunslingers” feel each other out – terse without being mean, reluctant to give offense …
Then there’s this guy …
2,649 Bluegill landed in one 24 hour angling marathon. A Guinness World Record for that many colored maggots drowned by one fellow for the sake of charity. Lacking a calculator … it’s two fish per minute.
Jeff Kolodzinski completed the marathon fishing event as part of Fishing for Life, a non-profit organization that exposes kids to the outdoors and creates a sense of community through fishing.
The new record is now 2,649 fish caught in a 24-hour period.
The previous record was set last year at the same spot.
I’ve seen a documentary on this fellow from last year, how the area is baited in advance of the effort, no reel used as it slows him down, simplest rig possible – dyed live maggots in a half dozen shades.
… and yes, the number of curious onlookers that ask him “how’s fishing?” or “how’d you do” is equally staggering.
Dyed maggots. Sounds like fertile new ground.
Don’t forget the cocky.
My canned response to “catch any?” is “always”.
The guy is dressed up like a NASCAR driver. I need to get more endorsement…
I was wondering when someone would mention the outfit. Is it possible that all this time we’ve been telegraphing “amatuer” with our street clothes smothered in waders?
Do we need to announce our presence to the fish with authority?
Given the fly fishing industry’s love of Singlebarbed and the Trout Underground, I’d suggest any sponsorship patches covering our fishing outfits will simply read “This Space For Rent.”
ooh, sponsors, me likey that idea…some to pay me to fish.
I would love to see the dead & dying littering that dock; think of it, at 10% hook related mortality we’re talking 264 dead bluegills (shame there is no fur or feathers on a bluegill, or maybe it’s a good thing, or KB woulda been caught under the dock with a snorkel and bag of illegal “take”).
My standard answer is: No. Especially on my hotspots, and unless I am caught actually playing a fish, in which case “darned, never had a hit in this hellhole before” is my second best.
Don’t get me wrong, I LIKE other anglers. I like’m best some 20 miles to the West, though. And still moving…
I remember fondly when bike riders simply clipped their jeans and climbed aboard. Now unless you’re fully spandexed in vendor garb you no longer matter … and it happened literally overnight.
I’m thinking we’re much more vulnerable than we think, given that many of our practitioners are well heeled and trendy …
The shirt he’s wearing isn’t much worse than this one.
http://singlebarbed.com/2011/05/30/then-again-they-may-be-confused-about-their-reason-for-being/
Now that is some serious “lip ripping”!
Joe Eberle wins!
Holy cow that’s quite the record!