The fish don’t know your name; an OP-ED
July 5th, 2010
Note from the founder: I run into people all the time in my line of work that truly believe they are God’s gift to the sport of angling. To them I offer this little anecdote and the following OP-ED: “No matter who you think you are, the fish don’t know your name.”
I was raised by a father who instilled upon me the ability and fortitude to show humility with my actions and words….which translated to river etiquette, style and tolerance within different methods of the angle. This doesn’t mean that I don’t joke around about my own level of self-importance in this world of river angling because, really, who do we have at the end of this big ride called life except ourselves? I understand that each day is truly a gift…especially if I’m on a river. Showing humility might just mean asking someone about their method of choice on the water without judging them and ramming your own thoughts down their throat.
A Humble angler takes the time to understand that the common bond I wrote of recently on this blog has to do with rivers, rods, line, sometimes bait and maybe a boat, maybe not. You see it’s the bond of the river that shuns aside the debate of how to fish it, respectively. Is your method of choice truly superior to your neighbor’s? If so, how come? Some of the best fishing guides in the business today take the time to listen to their clients, customers, friends and peers because they know true humility will only net them better results in the long run.
In the world that I operate professionally and recreationally in…..I interact with a lot of the same people in both environments. I surprise myself constantly with how many people come into my life, even if for a short while, consistently and often sharing the same mind-set, life philosophies, etc. It doesn’t always have to be deep in order to be significant. “What in the hell am I even talking about?” I can hear many of you asking right now. Here’s your answer: If you are asking me what the point of this editorial is…I will tell you in so many words; growth. Most of us are growing while all of us have stunts in this growth to be certain. The difference? Intention.
To put this OP-ED in perspective I’ll draw upon some easier to understand language: The fish you’re catching don’t know your name. I mean, you could have the most experience in the world or the least…..and your next fish might still be the biggest one of your life. This game we’re in is completely unpredictable. And the moment you begin to disrepect the path that many of your peers have taken while learning this same lesson of life is the moment you stop growing as an angler…no matter how old you are, and no matter if you’re a pro guide or a novice angler. Intention, attitude and experience mean absolutely everything.
It’s funny. The job that I have allows me to meet all kinds of anglers from all kinds of different skill levels. It’s a lot like any other fanatical sub-culture out there in society. You have your eccentrics. Your story tellers, your fact finders, your demonstrative personalities and not so much. I see it all. But the one common thread that makes this whole thing work? We all realize that this thing is bigger than just US. Many of you won’t get what I’m saying with my Independence Day rant. But many of you will. All I can say is that if you live by the code set forth for us by the real leaders of this industry and PACNW fishing world (names not needed mentioning and if you don’t know you’ve just answered your own questions about how much you actually know) then take a listen and save a story. Learn something.
If you live and fish with good intention…..you’ll end up with your fish some of the time. That’s about all any of us can ask for. Because remember whether you’re a pro or a novice or somewhere in between…….None of these fish know yours or my name. Now let’s respect the game and act like it.
Professor H3llcat
