Date: November 5, 2005
To: PFIC Message Board
From: gyozadude
Subject: So what kinda fisherman are you?
Some recent posts plus a memorable trip out with a former acquaintance fishing got me thinking of the question: What kind of fisherman are you?
Granted, anglers come in all shapes and sizes. Some new, some extremely seasoned. But the good ones all seem to have that common trait of Self-Reliance. That good ol' quality of rugged individualism that drives us to clean our own reels, tie our own leaders, rig our own bait, and explore the new spots down the paths less traveled.
Take the antithesis of that—an angler that went on a trip with me this year. He spent no money on gear and I outfitted him for the trip. He spent no money of food or beverages that day. He spent no money for bait. He didn't tie his own leaders. When he got his first bite and fought his first fish, he lost it just feet from the net. The leader broke midway. Rather than appreciate the fact that others had guided him and put him on the fish, and unable to accept that he had buttoned down the drag when he was told not to do that during the fight, he mumbled some statement that it was a weakly tied leader, knowing full well that I could hear it. Fed up with that ungrateful and good-for-nothing-entitlement mentality, I simply smiled and handed him the spool of premium leader material.
Upon the second fish, he lost it again. This time, not midway, and not because he didn't loosen his drag, but clearly at the knot where a leftover tag end had unraveled. Two lost fish. And no more bites the rest of the day.
At the end of the day, as we drove back home, I with fish in the cooler, him with zip, it was clear that the trip wasn't what he thought it'd be. I was glad simply to have fished my own day in my own way, without the need of others, or dependency. I relied solely on my own means, my own skills, and my own work and no others.
It's been some time since I remembered that trip. But the lesson never escapes me. Very simply, if you want to do it right, you've usually got to do it yourself, maybe get it wrong a few times, but you learn and grow—and follow the road less traveled.
Posted by baymaster
I am the fisherman who loves to hike out to a location where few visit. But I am a family man and can't get out as often as I would like. So when I do get out I enjoy the moment as much as possible. I am the type of fisherman who keeps his catch occasionally but would rather release because its easier to purchase from the store and it probably cost less (considering travel time, gas, tackle and bait). I am the type of fisherman who enjoys good company, a cold beer and good conversation with a fellow board member. I am the type of fisherman who is thankful that I have enough banks to support my necessary meditation. Happy fishing to all and to all a good night. Peace, Ramsey
Posted by Ken Jones
Few of the expert fishermen I know were proficient on their first trip out. Maybe not on trip five, ten or even twenty. But they watched, they listened, and they were willing to experiment until they did become proficient. With proficiency gained comes confidence, one of the traits of a successful angler. Not arrogance, but confidence that you know what you are doing and when you get to that fishing spot you'll be able to analyze the conditions, figure out where the fish are (if they're present), and be able to catch them since you're knowledgeable on gear and techniques. When I head out I fully expect to catch fish and at the end of the day, if it was a slow day, I don't blame myself for the absence of fish. Conditions change (note the colder water winter months in So Cal), fish move around, and fish may even go off their feed (so to speak). Nothing you can do about that but at least you are prepared if the fish are present and willing to bite.
Follow the 7 P's — Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pi.. Poor Performance.
Posted by pinfish
I'm a loner fisherman. I don’t like fishing with other people.
Posted by dompfa ben
DOMPFA—Dominating Positive Fishing Attitude—is a confident, yet humble approach to fishing. It is beginning every fishing trip with a
positive attitude, regardless of yesterday's tides, weather, fish counts, problems, personal drama, or other deterrents to fulfillment and success.
DOMPFA is knowing that by choosing your outlook, you positively affect your outcome. It is throwing iron when everyone else is soaking cut squid. It is knowing when to use big baits or light leaders. It is helping new anglers, and following the advice of experienced locals.
DOMPFA is meaningful harvest, successful catch-and-release, knowledgeable angling practices, ethical conservation, and personal responsibility.
DOMPFA is a way of fishing, and a way of life, enjoying and celebrating our ocean resources.
***
I enjoy fishing with people who share this view. I despise fishing with people who do not. Thankfully, those same souls probably despise fishing with the likes of me, too.
Posted by stripesidechaser
Reminds me of what I tell each person I teach: to fish... every fish I lose is my fault. If the leader knot fails—poor tying, my fault. If the line breaks—too much drag, my fault. If I get spooled—totally unprepared, my fault. Premature hookset? the list goes on and on, but it all boils down to the same thing... I'm responsible for every fish I land or don't (same goes for release)!
Posted by kaleo
Not an entirely rational one... Malama `Aina: literally, "land nurturing." Applies to the ocean too, ke kai. Traditionally, you have a personal relationship with the natural world, including the koa, the fishing grounds.
You wouldn't go to your Auntie's house, eat all her food, pee on the rug, and leave beer cans on her sofa, would you? But, because you're a good kid, of course you can come by anytime, plenty of food, talk story with your Auntie. She'll probably even make your favorite butter mochi for you. Of COURSE it’s understood that you'll be respectful, not make a mess, help clean up, maybe bring some pupus, maybe help out with some yardwork. You know, Auntie kine stuff.
You go fishing, same thing: it’s a personal relationship. It doesn't mean that you act with thoughtfulness and respect so that you'll catch more fish. You act with thoughtfulness and respect because that is how you are. The ocean gives to you because that is how the ocean is. That is the relationship. Good stuff. That’s an old value. Even in Hawai`i, that way of thinking is in the minority now days.
To: PFIC Message Board
From: gyozadude
Subject: So what kinda fisherman are you?
Some recent posts plus a memorable trip out with a former acquaintance fishing got me thinking of the question: What kind of fisherman are you?
Granted, anglers come in all shapes and sizes. Some new, some extremely seasoned. But the good ones all seem to have that common trait of Self-Reliance. That good ol' quality of rugged individualism that drives us to clean our own reels, tie our own leaders, rig our own bait, and explore the new spots down the paths less traveled.
Take the antithesis of that—an angler that went on a trip with me this year. He spent no money on gear and I outfitted him for the trip. He spent no money of food or beverages that day. He spent no money for bait. He didn't tie his own leaders. When he got his first bite and fought his first fish, he lost it just feet from the net. The leader broke midway. Rather than appreciate the fact that others had guided him and put him on the fish, and unable to accept that he had buttoned down the drag when he was told not to do that during the fight, he mumbled some statement that it was a weakly tied leader, knowing full well that I could hear it. Fed up with that ungrateful and good-for-nothing-entitlement mentality, I simply smiled and handed him the spool of premium leader material.
Upon the second fish, he lost it again. This time, not midway, and not because he didn't loosen his drag, but clearly at the knot where a leftover tag end had unraveled. Two lost fish. And no more bites the rest of the day.
At the end of the day, as we drove back home, I with fish in the cooler, him with zip, it was clear that the trip wasn't what he thought it'd be. I was glad simply to have fished my own day in my own way, without the need of others, or dependency. I relied solely on my own means, my own skills, and my own work and no others.
It's been some time since I remembered that trip. But the lesson never escapes me. Very simply, if you want to do it right, you've usually got to do it yourself, maybe get it wrong a few times, but you learn and grow—and follow the road less traveled.
Posted by baymaster
I am the fisherman who loves to hike out to a location where few visit. But I am a family man and can't get out as often as I would like. So when I do get out I enjoy the moment as much as possible. I am the type of fisherman who keeps his catch occasionally but would rather release because its easier to purchase from the store and it probably cost less (considering travel time, gas, tackle and bait). I am the type of fisherman who enjoys good company, a cold beer and good conversation with a fellow board member. I am the type of fisherman who is thankful that I have enough banks to support my necessary meditation. Happy fishing to all and to all a good night. Peace, Ramsey
Posted by Ken Jones
Few of the expert fishermen I know were proficient on their first trip out. Maybe not on trip five, ten or even twenty. But they watched, they listened, and they were willing to experiment until they did become proficient. With proficiency gained comes confidence, one of the traits of a successful angler. Not arrogance, but confidence that you know what you are doing and when you get to that fishing spot you'll be able to analyze the conditions, figure out where the fish are (if they're present), and be able to catch them since you're knowledgeable on gear and techniques. When I head out I fully expect to catch fish and at the end of the day, if it was a slow day, I don't blame myself for the absence of fish. Conditions change (note the colder water winter months in So Cal), fish move around, and fish may even go off their feed (so to speak). Nothing you can do about that but at least you are prepared if the fish are present and willing to bite.
Follow the 7 P's — Proper Prior Planning Prevents Pi.. Poor Performance.
Posted by pinfish
I'm a loner fisherman. I don’t like fishing with other people.
Posted by dompfa ben
DOMPFA—Dominating Positive Fishing Attitude—is a confident, yet humble approach to fishing. It is beginning every fishing trip with a
positive attitude, regardless of yesterday's tides, weather, fish counts, problems, personal drama, or other deterrents to fulfillment and success.
DOMPFA is knowing that by choosing your outlook, you positively affect your outcome. It is throwing iron when everyone else is soaking cut squid. It is knowing when to use big baits or light leaders. It is helping new anglers, and following the advice of experienced locals.
DOMPFA is meaningful harvest, successful catch-and-release, knowledgeable angling practices, ethical conservation, and personal responsibility.
DOMPFA is a way of fishing, and a way of life, enjoying and celebrating our ocean resources.
***
I enjoy fishing with people who share this view. I despise fishing with people who do not. Thankfully, those same souls probably despise fishing with the likes of me, too.
Posted by stripesidechaser
Reminds me of what I tell each person I teach: to fish... every fish I lose is my fault. If the leader knot fails—poor tying, my fault. If the line breaks—too much drag, my fault. If I get spooled—totally unprepared, my fault. Premature hookset? the list goes on and on, but it all boils down to the same thing... I'm responsible for every fish I land or don't (same goes for release)!
Posted by kaleo
Not an entirely rational one... Malama `Aina: literally, "land nurturing." Applies to the ocean too, ke kai. Traditionally, you have a personal relationship with the natural world, including the koa, the fishing grounds.
You wouldn't go to your Auntie's house, eat all her food, pee on the rug, and leave beer cans on her sofa, would you? But, because you're a good kid, of course you can come by anytime, plenty of food, talk story with your Auntie. She'll probably even make your favorite butter mochi for you. Of COURSE it’s understood that you'll be respectful, not make a mess, help clean up, maybe bring some pupus, maybe help out with some yardwork. You know, Auntie kine stuff.
You go fishing, same thing: it’s a personal relationship. It doesn't mean that you act with thoughtfulness and respect so that you'll catch more fish. You act with thoughtfulness and respect because that is how you are. The ocean gives to you because that is how the ocean is. That is the relationship. Good stuff. That’s an old value. Even in Hawai`i, that way of thinking is in the minority now days.