My Monster

Post fly fishing articles, stories of successful trips, write about a favourite place, fly, your experiences, include your pictures and share with the forum
Post Reply
User avatar
OneHairyArm
Posts: 126
Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 2:13 pm
Location: Wellington

My Monster

Post by OneHairyArm » Fri Apr 24, 2015 12:19 pm

I have an evil streak – namely Envy, I am one big green eyed monster! I don’t covert peoples wives (mostly), I don’t care for their money, or their cars. I really couldn’t care less that your house measures an entire 300sq meters. What I do covert is people’s fishing lives, their gear, their fish, but chiefly the share amount of Free-Time these people seem to have.

It’s no secret I struggle to get out for any major amount of time in a weekend, to some family members 2 hours seems to be ample. I fail to see how these guys with especially young families get to spend all weekend chasing Tail.

My envy is magnified most nights, as I briefly check Facebook, I say briefly cause more often than not I check it on the Ipad, which is then had to be hidden as the 16mth old likes to play let’s change the settings/languages. The share multitude of very large fish on every post is outstandingly frustrating. I guess that’s why it’s called Trout Porn. Just like the real thing, the gratification is short lived, leaving you with all the same associated problems. The feelings of inadequacy, jealousy and disillusionment. For me it’s the resentment of my ‘Lot’ that does the most damage. ‘The grass is always greener’ they say. I know this but still a little part of you yearns for their freedom, gear and their time.

To combat my monster I have come to some conclusions.
1. You are all Barstools.
2. Many of the fish associated pages on my FB have to be blocked.
3. I have to try and get out more
4. Numbers are just that, a number. Whether it’s a grade of a climb to the size of a fish. It does not matter. What matters is how you feel.

These conclusions have resulted in a certain changes. I strive to enjoy every second on the water – they are limited. I also no longer state weights of my fish. Instead I have a very simple scale.

Small Fish – up to 2lb
Nice Fish – 2-4lb
Good Fish – 4lb+

Last night was a really ‘Good Fish’ night. It was pitch black and icy cold when I finally made it riverside. The first choice was easy enough, Graphite or Cane, there’s just no question, it had to be cane. I have written before about night fishing. Tonight was no different. The romance, nostalgia and feelings of wellbeing again overbearing on the senses.

After half an hour of fruitless swinging, there was a short knock on the line then a slow draw of pressure. There was no need to strike, just a tightening of my line hand enough to set the hook. A split second of stalemate followed by an angry headshake. The turn and run sent my reel screaming as the little 7’6” cane pole bent double. This is the beauty of Bamboo, it’s not a delicate old school material .Its alive, it has its own soul. Every lunge, every headshake, and reel screaming run is felt, like a heartbeat pulsing down your arm.
I landed and released a really ‘Good Fish’. Stoked at how well the newly christened rod handled such a good fish. Looking back down the run, I could easily fish on. Having only covered 20meters or so of the beat. However, I know my boy would still be awake – he had a sleep earlier in the day. I also know my wife would need a hand. She’s reupholstering some old furniture she wants to restore. So I head back to the car and head home for a warm cuddle with my boy and a cuppa in front of the fire. The green eyed monster quelled – for now. Ready to raise its ugly head, powerless in the knowledge that although I envy others freedom to fish – I wouldn’t have my ‘Lot’ any other way.


"If you want to catch beasts you don't see everyday.
You have to go places quite out of the way.
You have to go places others can't get to.
You have to get cold, and you have to get wet, too" Dr Seuss.

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest