Buridan's Ass & Other Fly Fishing Trueisms
Some personal ramblings after too long away from any fishing. With apologies to my good friend, Dave Moore.
There used to be a sign in the local fish and chips shop where I grew up that read "Seven days without fish makes one weak." Most die-hard anglers would say that it should read 'without fishing makes one weak'.
It gets even worse when the time between fishing trips is a month or more! In my world, life got to a very hectic pace about a month ago, and some planned fishing trips had to be put on hold. Don't you just hate it when that happens? Why does the rest of the world think there are more important things than a few hours on the river?
Well, whatever the answer to that question is, sometimes there are events that make us appreciate even more the time we get to spend fishing our favorite waters. It's been one of those months for me, but thankfully, I did manage to get in a very successful day with my friend Dave Moore.
Dave and I have been fishing for many years together, and I sure enjoy the memories we have shared. Some memories include some really nice fish; while others are humorous like the time Dave decided to wash his hair out in the middle of nowhere in a freezing cold lake. The water was way too cold to actually bathe in, so Dave grabbed our cooking pot and I laughed hilariously as I watched him pour water over his head from the pot.
As if there were going to be girls around to impress, a hundred miles from nowhere!
The last time I was out fishing, it was with Dave. Once again, we created some great fishing memories as we did a bit of exploring around some new territory to us. And finally, I caught the biggest fish! Do you know that I have been waiting for about 20 years to catch the biggest fish on a trip with Dave? Well.. come to think about it... I was the only one to catch a fish on the trip that Dave had to wash his hair in the middle of a wilderness.
Last month, we waded some unfamiliar streams which is always an interesting experience. Dave and I drive along a road until it crosses a river or stream, we park the vehicle, get out and of course, peer over each side of the road into the water below.
Dave asks, "So, where do you want to start?"
I reply: "Hmmm. That hole just upstream a bit looks pretty good right there."
Dave is silent. Dave ponders. Dave finally says, "That bit downstream looks promising."
I am silent.
Have you ever heard of Buridan's Ass? I suppose in some ways, Dave and I are both just like that Ass, trying to make a decision. To walk upstream or down. That way or this way. We stare out, wondering what's around the bends.
Yes, unlike the ass that starved to death, we do finally make a decision. How it's made, I have no idea. Sometimes, the decision pays off - other times, we waste time walking through shallows for what seems like miles, thinking there must be a good hole around the corner, only to later discover that the best hole was only 50 yards upstream, not downstream. But life is like that. And thankfully, we never blame each other for making the poor choice in which direction we should go.
As you can see from the accompanying image, Dave and I made the right decisions the last time we were fishing together! A nice 14" brookie for Dave, and a 15" for me. Those weren't the only fish we caught, but were the only ones we kept.
Perhaps we're not completely like Buridan's Ass, or maybe its just that Dave is now losing some of that hair. He makes better decisions now, about what's really important. "Let's go downstream, Ian."
After far more than a week of no fishing, this weekend I'll be out with my sons. Maybe I'll teach them a bit about Buridan's Ass, if we don't catch anything.
