Okay...go ahead and admit it. You've been guilty of wishing for a small fish. Sure, we all hop in the water with visions of one of those grip and grin laviathans that will make us the envy of all our angling buddies. We picture the perfect hookset, the admirable fight, the headfirst guide into the net, a smattering of accolades from anglers who saw the whole thing and were impressed by your skill.
Then the real world hits...
You've been fishing for four hours and haven't got so much as a twitch. Nada. Nothing. It is around this time, when you can see the end of your trip in the distance, that you are just wanting to get the skunk off your back, just one fish to justify the trip, just one fish to put a bend in the rod; even if the fish is so small that the rod only bends a couple of inches from the tip. It is moments like that when you don't really want to impress anyone, you just don't want to be the poor schmuck who leaves without anything. This usually occurs when those around you are catching a few. Pride has a way of making us ruthless in our desire not to be odd man out.
Recently, I was on such a trip, in this exact set of circumstances. I was fishing with my ol' buddy Jermz, who by the way is one of the most prolific anglers I have ever seen. I've even seen him catch fish literally right on top of his boot in six inches of water. Love the guy, but sometimes I just wish I'd see him get skunked.
To continue with the story...I got to the river at around six, full of the aforementioned thoughts of glory. He showed up about fifty yards down stream three hours later. I had yet to get a bump. Not fifteen minutes later and he has an impressive bend in his rod. So, in line with these modern times, I broke the anglers code and called him on my cell phone.
"Hey man!", he says full of glee.
"What did you catch that one on?"
"Pheasant Tail"
"Thats what I am using and haven't caught any."
"C'mon down!"
So, with my tail between my legs, I wade downstream. He caught three more by the time I arrived.
Two hours at least pass and I reached the point where I was just hoping for a minnow. Then I noticed a healthy Sulphur hatch. Of course, I had no Sulphurs. The only thing I had close in color was a size 14 Yellow Humpy. Not exactly matching the hatch.
Three or four unproductive casts, and then it happened. WHAM!!!! A trout that we both agreed would go least 24 inches came roaring skyward with my fly in its jaw. I set the hook and the fight was on...for all of about five seconds. That beast snapped 5x tippet without slowing down. Never even got him turned. He felt the hook and just took off. I was left shaking and empty handed.
"My God that was a monster!" He says.
"I never had a chance."
"He was so big he could hardly get airborne."
"Yep."
In the next two hours, neither of us got another hit. Storms rolled in. The day was done.
No, I didn't catch a single fish. I left with the skunk I rode in on. But that morning, I hooked a fish of impressive length and girth in full view of one of the most respected anglers in my circle of friends. If only for five seconds, I was on top of the world, and I had a story to tell. A story to tell with a witness. Sometimes that is enough. Even though the smell of fish was absent as I slid into my ride and headed home.
5/10/2011
Facebook and The Royal Treatment
It is amazing what you can find on facebook and as an avid/ passionate fly angler, I am always looking for people of like mind. Several weeks ago, I ran across Joel La Follette. This gentleman caught my eye because of his picture (fly fishing), and the fact that his last name is also the name of my home town here in Tennessee. So, I friend requested him, and he replied in kind.
Here is where things got interesting.
Joel lives in Oregon, and some of his photos were just amazing. Pictures of this man holding massive fish, and the obvious joy on his face shouted his passion and love for the sport.
Here is an example.
So, as you can see...Joel is the real deal.
Then looking at his info, I see that he also owns a fly shop. And that led me to visit his website and cruise through. Royal Treatment Fly Fishing is a great web site that has more than the standard stuff you would find on a shops web store. Of course you can find all the accounterments to fullfill your angling needs (G Loomis, Winston, Sage, Simms) but he offers much more. Stream reports, Current Conditions, and something that I have watched over and over...a thing Joel calls Fly Bench Theatre which is one of the most relaxing fly fishing videos I have seen to date. If there is a thing such as fly fishing zen, that video all but assures that he has found it.
But, as much of a passion as this man has for his sport/ his craft, he has a much greater passion in his wife Kellie. Looking at the two of them together, you see happiness; and happiness is a catch we all pursue.
Their happiness was shaken some time back as an event happened that changed everything.
Here is their story in Joels words:
On November 12th, 2004, my wife Kellie and approximately 80 other teachers were exposed to UV radiation from a broken Philips Lighting type "R" Metal Halide light bulb during an in-service training session in a local school gym. Many ended up in emergency rooms that evening with burns to their eyes and exposed skin. Kellie and I want to get the word out about the dangers of exposure to Ultraviolet Light from broken type "R" Metal Halide Bulbs. To that end we have collected links to articles and warnings from the media, government agencies, and others. Please visit these sites to learn more about the accident and the dangers these lights can pose..
One thing that is not mentioned in these reports is that at this time, over 4 years after the accident, five teachers are still suffering the effects of their exposure. Their recovery is uncertain, but we are hopeful. The driving force behind this effort is we don't want anyone to have to endure the pain and suffering these teachers have. Please help us by sending a link to this site to your child’s school, your warehouse manager, or anyone you might think works or plays under these types of lights. Together we can keep this from happening to others..
If you or someone you know has been injured by UV radiation from a broken metal halide light please contact us and tell your story. This is not an isolated incident. The more we know the better we can prevent other injuries.
They are still feeling the impact of this event. But, undaunted they perservere and move forward with the hope, joy, and love of a couple commited to one another.
So, as you can see...one friend click on Facebook can yeild a wealth of information. And it can also introduce you to a really neat person.
I don't know that I will ever fish in Oregon, or if I will ever stand face to face with Joel. Our worlds are very different, but I do see some things about us that are very much in sync. He is passionate about his sport...as am I, and, he has a wife that means all the world to him...as do I.
Below I am posting a link to both his web site as well as the web site dedicated to UV burns so you can freely see both in great detail.
I hope to some day walk into Royal Treatment Fly Shop and pick up some stuff, especially something with that cool logo. But if not...I feel quite certain, that I have found a friend, and that is worth it all.
Here is where things got interesting.
Joel lives in Oregon, and some of his photos were just amazing. Pictures of this man holding massive fish, and the obvious joy on his face shouted his passion and love for the sport.
Here is an example.
Then looking at his info, I see that he also owns a fly shop. And that led me to visit his website and cruise through. Royal Treatment Fly Fishing is a great web site that has more than the standard stuff you would find on a shops web store. Of course you can find all the accounterments to fullfill your angling needs (G Loomis, Winston, Sage, Simms) but he offers much more. Stream reports, Current Conditions, and something that I have watched over and over...a thing Joel calls Fly Bench Theatre which is one of the most relaxing fly fishing videos I have seen to date. If there is a thing such as fly fishing zen, that video all but assures that he has found it.
But, as much of a passion as this man has for his sport/ his craft, he has a much greater passion in his wife Kellie. Looking at the two of them together, you see happiness; and happiness is a catch we all pursue.
Their happiness was shaken some time back as an event happened that changed everything.
Here is their story in Joels words:
On November 12th, 2004, my wife Kellie and approximately 80 other teachers were exposed to UV radiation from a broken Philips Lighting type "R" Metal Halide light bulb during an in-service training session in a local school gym. Many ended up in emergency rooms that evening with burns to their eyes and exposed skin. Kellie and I want to get the word out about the dangers of exposure to Ultraviolet Light from broken type "R" Metal Halide Bulbs. To that end we have collected links to articles and warnings from the media, government agencies, and others. Please visit these sites to learn more about the accident and the dangers these lights can pose..
One thing that is not mentioned in these reports is that at this time, over 4 years after the accident, five teachers are still suffering the effects of their exposure. Their recovery is uncertain, but we are hopeful. The driving force behind this effort is we don't want anyone to have to endure the pain and suffering these teachers have. Please help us by sending a link to this site to your child’s school, your warehouse manager, or anyone you might think works or plays under these types of lights. Together we can keep this from happening to others..
If you or someone you know has been injured by UV radiation from a broken metal halide light please contact us and tell your story. This is not an isolated incident. The more we know the better we can prevent other injuries.
They are still feeling the impact of this event. But, undaunted they perservere and move forward with the hope, joy, and love of a couple commited to one another.
So, as you can see...one friend click on Facebook can yeild a wealth of information. And it can also introduce you to a really neat person.
I don't know that I will ever fish in Oregon, or if I will ever stand face to face with Joel. Our worlds are very different, but I do see some things about us that are very much in sync. He is passionate about his sport...as am I, and, he has a wife that means all the world to him...as do I.
Below I am posting a link to both his web site as well as the web site dedicated to UV burns so you can freely see both in great detail.
I hope to some day walk into Royal Treatment Fly Shop and pick up some stuff, especially something with that cool logo. But if not...I feel quite certain, that I have found a friend, and that is worth it all.
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