Fly Fishing De-Glossary

Unlike a dictionary, this will have no discernible order. Sometimes it may be necessary to use Doublespeak to translate Doublespeak; you will be expected to work out the square root on your own.

fly fishing -- based upon context this means:

• when fishing for bass == "fishing with a fly rod"
• when fishing for Pulaski salmon == "flinging weight with a fly rod when spinning tackle makes more sense"
• when fishing for panfish == "fishing with a fly rod"
• when fishing for trout after taking a three-day course on fly fishing == "an esoteric practice beyond the ken of ordinary mortals"
• when fishing for trout for fun and food == "fun"
• when fishing for trout for breakfast == "no breakfast"
• when killing a trout for lunch == "heartfelt appreciation"

conservation -- based upon context this means:

• when happening in your neighborhood == "killing the job market for a bunch of Volvo lovin', do-gooders"
• when proposed for a remote fishing spot == "sound environmental policy"
• when it doesn't allow ATV's and you own one == "killing traditional use"
• when it does allow ATV's and you don't own one == "catering to special interests"
• when it means condos going in near your lakefront property == "unbridled development"

protecting the trout fishery -- based upon context this means:

• if you are a wealthy, connected executive == "buying up 120,000 acres in Montana and posting it against fishing" (this could earn you "Fly Fishing Man of the Year")
• if you are concerned with a trout's genetic purity == "poisoning the stream on behalf of the 'chosen'"
• if you are accepting of changing conditions within an ecosystem == "let's enjoy the fishing we have"
• if you own a fly shop or guide service == "it should all be C&R"
• when watching someone else legally kill a trout and you won't == "selfish *?%#"

quality trout fishing -- based upon context this means:

• if you own a fly shop or guide service == "large stupid trout -- and lots of them"
• if you bring a ten year old fly fishing for the first time == "a six-inch brookie"
• if you enjoy hard work == "a fourteen-inch brown, midday, on a dry"
• if you enjoy fishing == "a rise you worked for"
• if you enjoy the surroundings == "a beaver pond in the middle of a marsh, never before seen, freckled with the rings of rising trout"
• if you are getting older and the hills are too steep (e.g., me) == "a mid-morning break to lie in deep grass on the bank and let the river run on"

It may take me years to complete this de-glossary, but I welcome all input. Please add to this through comments. Of course, some of my definitions will be incomplete, some biased, and some utterly false; that's why we have each other to keep us honest.

© 2007 Reed F. Curry