Richard, I certainly don't take any of this stuff personal so no worries if you disagree.
Maybe I didn't make my point succinct enough. I do tend to ramble<grin>. Really what I was trying to say is that in the past people got involved in fly fishing because they really wanted to. They had to work at it a bit and there was no glammer involved in the sport. Mystique maybe but no glammer. Somewhere around the "River Runs Through It" boom certain types of folks took the sport up for image purposes. Much like those who only golf because it is a way to conduct business and make contacts. The sport changed enough that people could now make the sport their own image festival by putting enough money into it. A great example of this is how many politicians seem to partake in golf and fly fishing now. Other the Teddy Roosevelt I am not sure there were too many die hard fly fisherman in the white house until the mid 80's. I think all the advancements have been wonderful and was certainly not knocking that at all. I don't have the patience for bamboo and silk line. The point I was trying to make with the tradition thing is you were much more likely to have a mentor to teach you the gentlemenly ways of the stream then you are today. I agree, it is time to bury this thread. Of course we can still talk via email if anyone wants to beat this thing any further. Any ramblings, outragous opinions or flat out lies are just part of my training to become a crusty ol fart. Mike
