CONCLUSION

Angling is compounded of many things. First, there are the fish, and without the fascination for the creature, no man will ever become a fisherman. Some fishermen judge their success solely by the number of fish they have caught. Others seem to enjoy "outfishing" their friends, a practice which is like shooting all the birds on a partridge hunt, or running ahead of your companion to fish every hole before he has a chance to get there. A person who is constantly talking of how he used a certain fly or method to outfish another, is simply showing the type of angler he is. Anyone can catch fish. Many women have caught more and larger fish (my wife, for example) on their first try at fishing. The very first time I took my brother fly fishing, I gave him a rod and a selection of flies. He had a great time. He slapped the water with the line, snapped the flies off on the back cast, and jumped into the water to try to save a two-pounder that got away. All the while he was getting one strike after another, about three of us experienced fly fishermen couldn't get a strike, but seeing his enthusiasm was well worth the fact that we were not catching fish.

We go fishing to catch fish. Some people say they go to get away, to study nature, or to see the scenery, but I feel that these things are extra bonuses that come through enjoying the sport. Some say that with the increased pressure upon our streams we may have to sacrifice a few fish for a little scenery, but we can catch fish and enjoy the scenery too. It is going to have to be up to us who catch the fish to try and maintain quality fishing for everyone. This might involve limiting a catch, instead of catching a limit.

Fishing to me is recreation, for although I enjoy eating a few, I also like to catch them, and see others catch them. If I can help another angler to catch a few fish by giving him a few flies, or letting him fish while I watch, then I will be more than glad to do so. All I would ever ask in return is that sometime when he is catching fish and I am not that he will let me know what they are taking, or what fly he is using, and that he will not criticize my mistakes. Fishing is fun, and my friends and I will be having the time of our lives trying to fool a trout with an artificial fly.