Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Troutbirder's Philosophy

I’m thinking today of a choice I’ll be making in a few weeks and thence till the end of September. Trout fishing or birding.





For now there is no choice really. Trout season doesn't open for two weeks. Still, those are two of my favorite outdoor activities (along with flower gardening). They are very similar actually. To be successful you need to be very observant. Close to nature works best.
The best trout fishing is invariably away from the crowd. Crowds of people might work once in a while for birding but I suspect solitary or with one other person is also best. Walking quietly through the woods. Both hobbies often find me in the most beautiful of places. Stalking really.
Both hobbies can involve storytelling. The big one that swam away. Or the little brown one that was too quick flying away to identify. People sometimes besmirch the fly fishermen as "elitist's". That arises from the trout fisherman’s disdain for the "three guys in a fancy power boat with two cases of beer syndrome." Birders are often stereotyped as little old ladies in tennis shoes with binocs in hand. Also, the birder faces the charge of incipient "dweeb or geekism." .












I think I just like being one with nature and afterward being able to reflect on the experience and tell stories about it. Like the time I caught a bat who was attracted to my homemade fly. Or the time I was trapped against a cliff in Yellowstone Park while two testosterone crazed elk had it out right in front of me. For example, the tendency and the need to place close attention to things and the time to contemplate them is why trout fishing has produced the only real "literature" in the fishing genre.
To paraphrase Michigan Supreme Court Justice John Voelker....
I fish and bird because I love to; because I love the places where birds and trout are found. They are often very beautiful. Crowds, malls, television, freeways, rap music, junk food and junk pop culture leave me cold and depressed. I flee with camera or flyrod in hand, to that which I can enjoy in the company of Mother Nature. Relaxed and at one with my surroundings, the cares and turmoil of a world seemingly gone mad are left behind. Gods creatures do not lie, cheat and abuse their surroundings, nor can they be bought or impressed by status and power. My cell phone often doesn’t work in the places I frequent so I’m left alone (except for Baron my GSD). Thus there is solitude without loneliness. I am at peace with my little corner of the world.

20 comments:

  1. This is a lovely post, Ray. I totally get it. I don't do any trout fishing, but stalking run-down barns is up the same alley.

    PS -- my rooster was not amused at your suggestion. He's standing outside the window right now grumbling. (If I happen to see a few stray feathers -- I'll nab you some.)

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  2. Love your post. I don't trout fish but I can so relate to the getting in touch with the beauty of nature. I'll have to get out in nature real soon and take some new pictures. If I ever get my good camera back from my son :) Loaned it to him so they could get good pictures in Florida on vacation. I guess I'll have to go and get it can=use it doesn't appear he's bringing it back any time soon. LOL!

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  3. Wonderful post as always. Love hearing your thoughts and stories - and hey, I'm one of those ladies in tennies stalking the birds. I don't trout fish, but I do love going out on the backroads with hubby to see what photo-ops there are. I'm not into the whole "group" thing. If Elaine (Arctic View) lived near me, I would have a great birding partner to go exploring with.

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  4. I understand and agree completely. As far as I am concerned there is nothing better than time spent with nature.

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  5. A great way to live a good life. I had a friend who always enjoyed the fish stories my kids would tell him. He said they started out in front and after a few times the arms almost were stretching behind their back.

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  6. Tough choice, but I would take the Fly Rod, and then head for some little, secluded, northern lake or stream. Lord knows it would be the best of both worlds....wild trout, and wild birds, can't go wrong.

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  7. We are nature nuts around our house too. Already talking about hiking in Tennesse during spring break. With the snow gone and the weather warming up...it just brings a whole new mindset with it.

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  8. Why can't you do a little of both? How wonderful that you have two hobbies that both show an appreciation for nature!
    I love the outdoors..especially when the light is right to get good photos..or going off on an adventure right here in the woods at home or off to a lake or river to see whats happening:)

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  9. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. I like the way you expressed your philosophy. I feel the same way about hiking and searching out waterfalls.

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  10. What beautiful photos you have shared with us. I have never been fishing but I do love the birds. North GA has some lovely spots for trout fishing near Helen, GA. Nothing makes me feel better than to be outdoors enjoying the glorious scenery. Wishing you a nice weekend.

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  11. This post almost brings tears to my eyes. My vision of the life you live is one of beauty and peace. A wonderful life indeed. I wish I could walk in your shoes for one day.

    'Your' tulip garden is simply splendid!

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  12. Great post! What a better world we would have if everyone could find that peace.

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  13. Only a true angler would understand that catching a fish is as incidental to fishing as having a baby is to making love.

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  14. Solitude with a quality cup of coffee and even a good book once in a while.

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  15. Truly a thoughtful post. You are ready for Spring! :-)

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  16. Very thoughtful contemplations. I'm a birder and botanizer while my husband is a budding (i.e., he's yet to land one yet) fisherman. Our compromise is to vacation where we can each do what we like to do the most. Our favorite destination in the summer is the Eastern Sierras here in California where the wildflowers and birdies abound, along with Alpers, Brown, Rainbow, Golden and Lanhontan Cutthroat trout. So while he's off attempting to fly fish, I can wander off with the pooch to ooh and aah over the flora & fauna. Anyways, happy trails to you, wherever you end up going to.

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  17. Beautiful post. It sums up so well the pull of the outdoors, the need to be in quiet, beautiful natural places, pursing a pastime of one's choice.

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  18. I don't trout fish, but I've gone with Steve so many times that I might as well have been fishing myself. Love the solitude. Your third pic is beautiful. Great story about the elk fight in Yellowstone!

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  19. I can connect with the idea of loving the places where birds and trout are found.I used to be into trout fising-now it's birding but every year I plan a fishing trip for the guys-fortunately, many places that are good for trout fishing are also great for birding.-Liked this post a lot-thanks.

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  20. Troutbirder, I am with you! I love to bird because I love to be out in nature and I want to know the names of the things I am seeing! It's like starting a freindship once you know their names! While I am not a fly fisherman, I do like the solitude of those quiet places. I have only been on a few birding field trips and have decided I would rather go by myself or with a just a few peole and figure it all out for myself. I like to keep my own pace and stop to look as long as I want to without feeling obligated to anyone else! In otherwords, I understand and agree with you.

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