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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | "Disclaimer"
I suspect this thread could generate a lot of different responses to it. It's meaning could also be misconstrude by some as a slap in the face to professional fishermen. This is not my intention or meaning for it's posting.
This is going to sound weird coming from a guy who prides himself on details. But the fishing details I pride myself about learning and understanding, are usually about the behaviors, cycles or correlation's between sport fish and their prey, along with the elements that have a bearing on both of their life's habits. This is the advantage I feel still makes the most difference, even in today's high tech world.
And this post isn't pointed at anybody imparticular, but I see many threads with questions asking about how powerful certain fish finders are, and others about the power, convenience and reliability of other fishing related items. And I'm not going to suggest here, that all the refinements and fish catching improvements invented over the last 40 years isn't important to me, or hasn't made my fishing life a lot easier. But it seems sometimes that we've lost the real meaning and importance of the fishing and hunting's sports. And have put to much emphasis on the gear versus the learning, care and understanding of the ecosystem and the prey themselves. This may also be why more participating in these sports are loosing the respect for the animals and fish that we harvest, as well as the other people we unwittingly compete with for these resources. It seems less and less about fun and piece of mind, and more about having and looking the best, even if your outdoor skills and ethics stink.
The biggest decisions we made back in the late 50's early 60's on our favorite walleye lake, was what color blade to use on the crawler harness and what section of the lake we were going to troll or drift through. Our 14 aluminum Starcraft and that 10 horse, 1956 Blue Monster of an Evenrude always started, trolled great and did so until it was sold in the late 70's. Nobody knew how fast it's top end was. Nobody cared, as long as it started and ran. Most fishing tournaments were won by guys who had the stored knowledge of their prey and their habits, versus the stored waypoints from the year before, or the technique/rigging programs from their partners or friends efforts just days before. I think this also has a bearing on my own personal feelings about guys who (in my eyes) earned their wings/fins from these humble beginings and fishing the old school ways, before the electronic/mega motor/gear age. And no, I don't plan on getting rid of my Raytheon GPS with C-map features, or my X-15 any time soon. But neither can I make myself dwell on their power or corporate ratings with any sense of intrigue or excitement.
But don't get me wrong here. Without the technology of some of the new gear, figuring out or having any theories about the fishes life cycles would be tough. I guess my post is more to lament about what we've actually lost culture wise, when the guys who can't afford the new expensive gear, feel that they are somehow are at a disadvantage.
Technology is great, but it just seems to take away the feelings one had, when everybodies gear was equal, and your wits and aquired knowledge versus your equipment made the difference back at the dock.
(Scan223, April 07, 2005.jpg)
(Scan224, April 07, 2005.jpg)
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 Scan223, April 07, 2005.jpg (36KB - 98 downloads)
Scan224, April 07, 2005.jpg (42KB - 96 downloads)
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Member
Posts: 378
Location: Omro,Wi. | Now thats a picture! No wonder you put fear in those eyes up there! Got one of them oldies too,mine is from 1957, when I was 7-years young,I'm the kid on the left.
Those days of rowing around the lake,with a window weight on a rope to find the reefs.Lining up trees with houses,and taking compass readings to find the school from yesterday,are long gone.
Can't say I liked it any better back then,probably caught just as many fish,the hard way,but the 225 opti makes it lots easier,with the 1000 crank baits,maps,and color graphs etc. It has become a lot more interesting,and covering more water,and lakes has made it a learnig experience,to say the least.
Some days we still have to make do with the split-shot,bare hook,and nitecrawler.Seems the fish haven't progressed as far as we have,they still hang out in the spots where their ancestors did,and still eat the same things.
Edited by Hafe 4/7/2005 11:21 AM
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Member
Posts: 2393
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Nice job putting things back in perspective.
The most important " gear" in anyone's boat is the matter between the ears.
We all have different wants and needs but a boat is only a fishing platform regardless of the price tag.
I remember those days when "I" was the fish locator. Dad would have me continually drop the cement filled coffee can in the water looking for that reef or break.....fond memories.
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | Hafe.
Are those really fishing poles you and your brother are holding in the picture, or were you guys on your way to the Pool Hall?  
Edited by walleye express 4/7/2005 1:09 PM
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Member
Posts: 378
Location: Omro,Wi. | Believe it or not? Those are indeed some bamboo rods,with bent coat hangers taped to the pole for the line to rap around,and screw eye in the end.It is a classic pic to say the least,cork bobber,old lunch pail,corduroy pants,with turned up cuffs,hat with fold down ear muffs,and a flight jacket.
Back in those days we used the poles for pool cues,in the winter,and when it was real cold we carried two baked potatoes in our pockets,to scholl,[a four mile walk] to keep our hands warm,then ate them for lunch!This was taken in February of 1957.Seems we have come far since then.I won't tell you that I remember the touch tone phones,color tv,microwaves,and digital watches coming out till later. | |
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Member
Posts: 874
Location: Neenah, WI | Geez Hafe, when I saw you at Romy's the other day you were still dressed like that. Have a good day!!! | |
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