Post by jwb on Sept 6, 2006 20:46:14 GMT -5
Sure it may be true that we don't fish from wrapped bass rigs, that we don't get paid to fish with certain lures and none of us has ever been handed one of those jumbo checks for catching fish at the end of the day but these things are not the only measure of man or woman. Having an understanding and respect for the development of bass fishing as a competitive sport as well as the technology in which it has spread will also distinguish one from amateur status
Fishing skills are not universal. However each of us has different skill sets in fishing that separate us from the general population. I have been smoked on the water by a few because their skill set was more in tune with the current conditions, I misjudged the conditions when I left the house, or did not bring the right equipment (a downside of having too much specialized equipment and no boat to tow it in). There are also days in which I am "off" and I make the wrong decisions on the water, tie a bad knot, and have equipment problems. Experience helps minimize such things but I am in no means perfect and I will always need to learn something new and improve my skills.
Our fishing skills are developed in a similar way as culture (through our environment, resources, language, formal and informal instruction) we adapt our skill sets in a unique fashion under unique conditions. Do you throw a drop shot rig or do pitch 1oz jig to penetrate matted weeds? We use words like flippin, pitchin, doodlin, shakin, Carolina riggin, slow rollin, and walkin the dog, which doesn't mean anything to the larger population (other than the letter 'g' isn't a part of our vocabulary). Your cultural upbringing will dictate your skills and terminology you use. These differences actually provides you active members of the bass club with something special - the ability to talk and teach new skills to others and offer greater diversity of skills to one another. Additionally as an organized group you have the opportunity to act as ambassadors to the sport and the environment which further separates you all from amateur status.
While I do not (or anyone else for that matter) consider myself a professional fisherman, I am by no means an amateur. I do (as do a lot of others) consider myself an avid fisherman. I get on the water whenever time and weather conditions allow, I read as much as I can about the sport, and I try to apply new information as much as I can. However, there is something more to distinguishing myself from fishing amateurs. While I have the ability to catch at least some fish the majority of the time I go fishing I also have the ability to appreciate the times when I don't catch fish. Catching a fish is a special gift - if Christmas was everyday, it would not be as special, if I caught a fish on every cast, every time I went fishing - there would be no appreciation for the skill or the sport.
So I hope of this explains my stance on everything and clears up any confusion on the subject of of amateur fishing status.
~jwb
Fishing skills are not universal. However each of us has different skill sets in fishing that separate us from the general population. I have been smoked on the water by a few because their skill set was more in tune with the current conditions, I misjudged the conditions when I left the house, or did not bring the right equipment (a downside of having too much specialized equipment and no boat to tow it in). There are also days in which I am "off" and I make the wrong decisions on the water, tie a bad knot, and have equipment problems. Experience helps minimize such things but I am in no means perfect and I will always need to learn something new and improve my skills.
Our fishing skills are developed in a similar way as culture (through our environment, resources, language, formal and informal instruction) we adapt our skill sets in a unique fashion under unique conditions. Do you throw a drop shot rig or do pitch 1oz jig to penetrate matted weeds? We use words like flippin, pitchin, doodlin, shakin, Carolina riggin, slow rollin, and walkin the dog, which doesn't mean anything to the larger population (other than the letter 'g' isn't a part of our vocabulary). Your cultural upbringing will dictate your skills and terminology you use. These differences actually provides you active members of the bass club with something special - the ability to talk and teach new skills to others and offer greater diversity of skills to one another. Additionally as an organized group you have the opportunity to act as ambassadors to the sport and the environment which further separates you all from amateur status.
While I do not (or anyone else for that matter) consider myself a professional fisherman, I am by no means an amateur. I do (as do a lot of others) consider myself an avid fisherman. I get on the water whenever time and weather conditions allow, I read as much as I can about the sport, and I try to apply new information as much as I can. However, there is something more to distinguishing myself from fishing amateurs. While I have the ability to catch at least some fish the majority of the time I go fishing I also have the ability to appreciate the times when I don't catch fish. Catching a fish is a special gift - if Christmas was everyday, it would not be as special, if I caught a fish on every cast, every time I went fishing - there would be no appreciation for the skill or the sport.
So I hope of this explains my stance on everything and clears up any confusion on the subject of of amateur fishing status.
~jwb
