Don't be Foolish

As a near and inshore saltwater fly fishing guide I cannot tell you how many times I have watched from my boat fish working over bait (cinder worms) while wading fly casting anglers stand on shore with their hands in their pockets dismayed that the action is beyond the best cast they ever made in their life.  It's one thing to be a purist and insist it's all about catching your fish on a fly rod, it's another thing to be, well, foolish. I understand there's this silly pride thing going on here but it absolutely amazes me that many of these same anglers year after year will stand in what looks like disbelief, that they cannot get a fly out to the action. I see this mostly on Ninigret Pond during our worm hatches. Most of these anglers apparently would rather not catch a great fish than to stoop to the level of using a spinning rod. Absurd! 

By simply packing a spinning rod in their wader belt and using a casting bubble and a worm fly, this backup rig will allow them to get to the fish that just aren't going to get any closer to shore (that day)...and they could easily cast to the action and be into some fun... but no, they stand on shore, finally shrug their shoulders, give up and leave... it's lunacy. I like to catch my fish on a fly rod where possible but to go fishless because of some fouled reasoning that precludes "resorting" to using a spinning rod so they can make the long cast that's necessary! This affliction must be contagious because each year I see this same "club" increasing in numbers.

Hey, I guess I shouldn't get exercised, to each his own, and I am more than happy to catch what could be their fish.