No Rude Remarks, About The Folks Wo Fish

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I have no rude remarks to make, about the folks who fish;

Because they sit along the banks, and hold their rods and wish,

For often in this rank and file - of lazy-moods and such -

We find the kind of friendly folks, we love to meet - so much.

 

It isn't right to brand a man, with words that mean no good,

Because we think he craves the streams, more often than he should.  

For while we cast our rude remarks, the man with rod and hook,

Finds the peace that we could find, if WE but sat along the brook

 

The better things of life we know, aren’t always got for pay

For often things worth more than gold, are free along the way

The folks who fish find happiness in the lure of woods and stream

While others try - but fail to find - this answer to their dreams.

 

So why should we make a rude remark, about the folks who fish;

Because they sit along the banks, and hold their rods and wish?

For often in this rank and file -of lazy-moods and such -

We find the kind of friendly folks, we love to meet - so much.

 - J.P. Kossman

From the "Pennsylvania Angler, June 1957"

[Leo Nguyen]

That's a very interesting personal perspective from an angler. That was back in the old day. In modern days..well..things changed.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I dunno Leo.

I think we have changed, gotten faster and even more frantic.

But this same sentiment was expressed hundreds of years before THIS was written.

Today this is more relevant than ever.

[Leo Nguyen]

Yep. We have changed quite a bit. But the sentiment is quite relevant.

[Tony Livingston]

I'm not aware that I've ever been poked fun at by others either for my methods, or  just for going fishing in the first place. But then again, that's kinda' the whole point.......if I paid any attention to what folks said, I wouldn't be paying as much attention to my line. Worrying about what someone else thinks about me is not on my" to do" list today, tomorrow, or anytime in the foreseeable future.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

You got it.
I hear it every time I take vacation to go fishing - which is often.
A few of the "rude" remarks I hear -
("rude" in this context is poetic. It doesn't mean hurtful or mean tempered, but rather unenlightened or jealous...)

"Man ain't you lucky, just sitting around fishing."
"Must be nice to leave work for fishing..."
"I've got too much to do to go fishing...."
"Such a slacker..."

I just smile and suggest:
a. They have vacation time, too
b. They come along.

I always go solo.

"The world would have fewer problems, if more people took that fishing pole out of the closet."

[jim cosgrove]

thanks david-never thought of fishing as a waste of time.one of the things that has kept me relatively sane.i think our modern life is a time sink as well as financial.even as a kid in the 60s and 70s life was much simpler.no internet,cell phones a few tv channels.no fantasy sports.kitten videos on u tube.no facebook.not to mention all the money for these devices and the cost for service.i grew up on the south side of chicago and live only 15 miles from there now.my father was a chicago fireman as was his father.i grew up in a hardcore blue collar area,cops fireman construction and steelworkers.not a lot of outdoorsmen.my father joined the marines a 17 and went to the korean war.he met guys from everywhere and started reading outdoor mags.he found the outdoors on his owni think a lot of people did think he was wasting his time.he would take me out of school telling the nuns a family emergency and take me fishing.a hunting or fishing trip was like looking forward to christmas.i used to hop on the cta bus to the city limits to fish cemetery and golf course ponds at night.i have 4 grown kids and 3 step kids.1 is hardcore hunter fisher and game cook,he is also a fireman.the rest know how but just are into other things ,but all love the outdoors .

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

BACK when that was written David , it was all true I spose , and is so today also. I've only found a few rude folks to deal with over the last 50 years of fishing and they all seem to chase the same fish ,"GREEN CARP" . OF course I was one of those myself one time eons ago , and now just seek out the most fun fish of all , GILLS AND CRAPPIES . When I'm on vacation and I"m on a lake that has a tourny going on for Bass, I steer clear of those folk and anchor in a peaceful cove of some sort and stay outta their way. I now prefer Tranquility over Confrontation with the wanna be professionals ......
  Yup for sure things have gotten more fast paced for the fisherman of a lot of different species , not just bass. Seems there is no end to the NEWER , BETTER, FASTER, TACKLE OF ALL KINDS, and the key is newer seems to be the best example of all .
  I for example would never have fished someone elses baits till I met this crew on here . Some real talent lies in the membership from the likes of Allen Morgan, Lady Jen, Carl, Dick Tabbert, Rex Robinson (who is so frequently overlooked by many) , MASTER MARK STINE, and all the rest . Lets not forget Mark Sleeper especially. Can't list em all cause my memory is gone now, mostly of recent things . I do still remember the old days though and AAAAAAAAAALL the tiers I've mentioned , and all those I"ve forgotten would fit right into the old days , and I"m sure most of em relish those days as I do and the simplicity of the day.

    I absolutely love fishing with the old stuff now and mostly with bugs and flies on old tackle , takes me back to a kinder , gentler period of fishing style that I enjoyed in my youth .

    Most recently I got my Christmas package from Allen Morgan and am itching to give em a try before the snow flies here and things just get too cold for me to fish ...........

    See I did forget a fella on here who is a great tier , GREG Mc Hopper !!!!!!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Again rude here doesn't necessarily mean hateful - just ignorant of the peace the author is trying to convey.
Even in 1957, a prescription was needed for the common longing:

The desire for peace and repose in this life.

Too many look but cannot find. Many don't even know they SHOULD BE LOOKING.

Thoreau said, "Many men fish their entire lives, never knowing it isn't fish they seek."
It is this same idea, here in this poem - we can find a little inner peace if we just take the time to pursue it.
By the way, it wasn't a new thing to long for inner peace in 1957. It was a time, however, of new found leisure and prosperity in this country. Sometimes when men have too much time on their hands, and a little money, well,... Peace seems to fly from their lives.