I think you brushed very close to the heart of the issue. Can I take
pride in catching a trout on a fly I tied if it is smeared with ANY kind of
attractant? For me, no. It would seem to be like rolling toilet
paper on a hook and dipping it in a sardine can. Can there be any pride in
that?
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 11:10
PM
Subject: Re: [VFB] Fish oil
Doug-
Oddly enought, this very issue came up on another list I belong to. The
topic originally came up when somebody mentioned anointing flies with WD40,
the thread then extended to include putting stuff like Smelly Jelly on a fly
or crushing a salmon egg and smearing the juice on it. In my opinion, this is
the same as using bait and if the waters you happen to be fishing are fly or
artificial lure only, then it's illegal. If they're not fly/artificial only,
then it becomes a personal choice, but one that blurs the distinction between
flyfishing and baitfishing. I guess it's something a
person can choose to do or not do, but to me rubbing an attractant,
whether natural or articial on a fly smacks of something vaguely shady,
something you might duck behind a tree to do or look over your shoulder
to make sure no one sees you doing it and I don't think I'd have the same
sense of accomplishment about catching a fish like that. Just my feelings
about it.
Don't misunderstand, I have nothing whatsoever against bait fishing, I
still indulge occasionally when my son and I go out, since I have not been
able to convey to him the joy of actually stalking fish with a fly as opposed
to luring them in with bait.
-John
"Dr. Doug Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Now here's a question for the list.
Since all fish stocked into Blue River in Oklahoma have been fed
fellets which are infused with fish oil (sardine, salmon, etc.) is it
ethical to soak a nymph in sardine oil and fish with it? The local
marine biologist is recommending that the bait chunkers mix fish oil into
their dough bait. Made me wonder how many flyfishermen are doing the
same with nymphs?!?
BTW - another Oklahoma nuance: people are encouraged to KEEP what
they catch since there is no possible way for the fish to survive much past
mid-April. The water gets far too warm for them to survive.
And you didn't believe me when I said I was in a trout void!
Doug
