Fun with Rank Nonsense
- This topic has 30 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated Apr 9, 2009 at 12:50 pm by
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Hey guys –
One of what I guess I would say is my biggest pet peeves is the portrayal of fly fishing in the broader media world by non-fly fishers. At the same time, these things are a never ending source of hilarity.
I’m thinking of the banking ads showing guys “fly fishing” who can barely cast past their feet (T. Rowe Price maybe?); the online TV show we ridiculed on here recently where the most important piece of gear seemed to be an orange water bottle, and now this article in Popular Mechanics, as located by Marshall and Glenn at MidCurrent.
So here’s the thing: I get it. Ours is an arcane sport. We do a lot of things for a lot of good reasons, but those reasons are rarely obvious to a complete outsider. But let me ask you this: Would you hire me to write an article about hot air ballooning? Or jetski engine options? Snowshoe repair? Hell no! So why do the major news outfits persist in allowing non-anglers to take our sport down the rabbit holes of their own fantasy? Is it really that hard to find someone who can cast to be on your commercial, or someone who has a passing acquaintance with the sport to write your 500 word photo caption?
Get this, from the article linked above: “When fighting a fish, the reel is your most important weapon, and one thing worth splurging on.” So, you should buy a $325 Sage 4500 CF series reel (which I am pretty sure has a very basic stacked washer disc drag, incidentally, and isn’t even completely made of metal). Really? That’s kind of funny, as everyone I know would agree that the fly reel is the least important piece of tackle for any sort of inshore fishing, and basically improves on a can of coffee only by having a handle to turn it with.
In the words of the best mustache on television: “Gimme a break.”
If you find something ridiculous out there, feel free to post it here. Maybe if we make some kind of compendium of all the terrible fly fishing ads, articles, etc., the collective sound of their suckage will have some effect on future attempts. 🙂
Zach
Ah, I should point out that Tom Chandler also spotted this article, and further noticed that the line appears to be coming off the top of the reel in the photo.
There is currently a commercial being aired showing a guy gearing up to go fly fishing, and he is taking his son along (think the kid has spinning gear).
Hey guys –
One of what I guess I would say is my biggest pet peeves is the portrayal of fly fishing in the broader media world by non-fly fishers. At the same time, these things are a never ending source of hilarity.
I’m thinking of the banking ads showing guys “fly fishing” who can barely cast past their feet (T. Rowe Price maybe?); the online TV show we ridiculed on here recently where the most important piece of gear seemed to be an orange water bottle, and now this article in Popular Mechanics, as located by Marshall and Glenn at MidCurrent.
So here’s the thing: I get it. Ours is an arcane sport. We do a lot of things for a lot of good reasons, but those reasons are rarely obvious to a complete outsider. But let me ask you this: Would you hire me to write an article about hot air ballooning? Or jetski engine options? Snowshoe repair? Hell no! So why do the major news outfits persist in allowing non-anglers to take our sport down the rabbit holes of their own fantasy? Is it really that hard to find someone who can cast to be on your commercial, or someone who has a passing acquaintance with the sport to write your 500 word photo caption?
Get this, from the article linked above: “When fighting a fish, the reel is your most important weapon, and one thing worth splurging on.” So, you should buy a $325 Sage 4500 CF series reel (which I am pretty sure has a very basic stacked washer disc drag, incidentally, and isn’t even completely made of metal). Really? That’s kind of funny, as everyone I know would agree that the fly reel is the least important piece of tackle for any sort of inshore fishing, and basically improves on a can of coffee only by having a handle to turn it with.
In the words of the best mustache on television: “Gimme a break.”
If you find something ridiculous out there, feel free to post it here. Maybe if we make some kind of compendium of all the terrible fly fishing ads, articles, etc., the collective sound of their suckage will have some effect on future attempts. 🙂
Zach
Did you check out the rod that girl (in Black shirt) is using on Feraless.
The thing I hate most about fly fishing are fly fisherman who think they are better than everyone else.
The thing I hate most about fly fishing are fly fisherman who think they are better than everyone else. Especially those who spend their time looking for ways to criticize others instead actually fishing.
Come on Zach, it’s television. Who cares.
Amen.
Why all of the ill will here today?
I think Zach was just poking a litte fun, and it is upsetting to see your passion completely screwed up on something like a commercial.I remember a commercial Doug Flutie dis a few years back and he was walking across a football field with “actors” trying to attempt football type drills and it was the funniest thing I have ever seen about football.
I am not passionate about football, but I have a hard time watching movies about baseball and teaching because they usually get so much stuff wrong.I know exactly what you mean Zach, maybe some other light hearted guys will chime in.
Is the Popular Mechanics article much different than what already happens every time a new guy walks into a fly shop? As soon as the guy behind the counter catches wind of a newb, they pounce like a fricken lion and start trying to sell Tibors and high end rods. I have never seen a fly shop try to sell an SA starter kit. Hell, most fly shops dont carry them.
Why all of the ill will here today?
I think Zach was just poking a litte fun, and it is upsetting to see your passion completely screwed up on something like a commercial.I remember a commercial Doug Flutie dis a few years back and he was walking across a football field with “actors” trying to attempt football type drills and it was the funniest thing I have ever seen about football.
I am not passionate about football, but I have a hard time watching movies about baseball and teaching because they usually get so much stuff wrong.I know exactly what you mean Zach, maybe some other light hearted guys will chime in.
No ill will or cold-heartedness here Keith.
I has a different experience with a fly shop when I first started out and was looking for my first rod & reel. I went into Tailwaters Fly Shop in Dallas. They carry mostly high end stuff like Winston, Scott and Sage. I started talking to one of the guys and told him I was a newbie starting out and was looking for my first outfit. He told me to buy a TFO Pro and similarly priced reel. He really tried to get me into an affordable starter outfit and he had a lot of higher end stuff he could have pushed toward me. I really appreciated the fact that he didn’t try to sell me only higher end stuff. As a result, I have become a loyal customer and have spent a good deal of money there on higher end stuff as I have progressed.
I’m thinking of the banking ads showing guys “fly fishing” who can barely cast past their feet
Hey, I resemble that remark!. 😉
Actually it irks me as well for the same reasons.
“When fighting a fish, the reel is your most important weapon, and one thing worth splurging on.”
Maybe a politely worded letter to the editors pointing out just how wrong that statement is?
Zach,
I completely agree with your comments re: the Popular Mechanics article, and in fact, one of the many negative comments is mine.
In all fairness, I did just buy a new CR-V and I am actually planning on putting a Yakima rack on it this weekend.
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