Will wearing headphones on the water send me to flyfishing hell??

[jdubya]

My family gave me a cool MP3 player for Christmas, and I wore it fishing on the midde provo yesterday. As I was fishin' and groovin' I wondered if I had stepped over some flyfishing sacramental rule. Instead of focusing upon the gurgle of the river or leaves of the trees, I was tuned into Mile Davis and U2.

I could see how if fish were rising you might not pick up on the splash that always occurs behind you. However, yesterday was a nymph only day, so the lack of auditory signals did not hurt my fishing (it was hurting enuf!)

I could see how having headphones on while fishing might be bad (when someone yells the dam is breaking I'd just keep casting). On the other hand, if I was catching lots of fish and someone waded into my pool to ask me what fly I was using I wouldn't hear him:watch for my backcast!!

What do you think? Did I do good, or am I going to hell?

[Fred]

Since you were listening to Miles Davis, it should be okay.

I personally wouldn't do it while stream fishing because a) I like to travel as light as possible and b) I want the hear that bear lurking around in the woods behind me.

I would like to have something like that for stillwater fishing though.

[cardiac]

Download some Euge Groove, Rick Braun or Bony James- they're ok too.
Just be careful if you listen to "Ride of the Valkiries". I can just picture ff to that music. No one is safe on the water. ;^0

[Light Cahill]

Actually Satan is the lead guitarist in Korn... ;o)

[Jason]

Yah, you're definitely going somewhere bad. The fly fishing gods will now look down upon you until you go fishing again, but without the musical ear muffs. I think they're only allowed on stillwaters. FISH ON!

[RAW]

Hi Jdub,

This is my opinion. Remember you asked! I'm not telling you it is wrong to listen to your music while ffing, just expressing a concern that you might be missing out on some neat things.

I don't see my fly fishing as an escape like many do, so I come at it from a different angle. I see myself as moving to what I really am when I am fly fishing, and that is part of nature. The last thing I want to do is drag some cell phone or electronic music maker out there with me. When alone or with friends out fishing, I can tune into a different kind of music. This music is missing in so many peoples lives now. Sometimes this music comes from my own head in the form of thoughts or self-talk, other times it comes in the form of just hearing and feeling my own heart beat.

After reading an essay in "Crossing Open Ground" by Barry Lopez titled: "Children in the Woods" I realize that while it's neat to know the names of things in nature, what I am really after when I go out fishing is relationships. Lopez says, "The quickest door to open in the woods...is the one that leads to the smallest room, by knowing the name each thing is called. The door that leads to the cathedral is marked by a hesitancy to speak at all, (or listen to music or talk on cell phones) rather to encourage by example a sharpness of the senses. If one speaks it should only be to say, as well as one can, how wonderfully all this (nature, trout, rivers, insects) fits together, to indicate what a long fierce peace can derive from this knowledge." Parenthesis mine. Just my opinion. Fly fishing can be so much more.

[MrMom]

I think its great, especially if your listening to Miles Davis. I'm just glad your listening to music on your earphones and not blasting it for everyone else to hear as I've heard on Strawberry several times.

[Light Cahill]

The Holy Football Team? I could buy that, were it not for the fact that over the years, I have heard of unpleasant behavior from the suggested team's players. It's just another College Football Team, with a lot of jocks who sometimes get a "get out of jail free" ticket, if you know what I mean, brother.

Try not to do the "Elitism" thing on here please. There are a lot of people from many faiths on here - I personally don't want others to feel belittled, or ostracised, or get off the topic of fishing and into religion, even if it seems like a fun little sports jibe. My suggestion: more fishing, less religion; more unity, less elitism -- whether it's teams, bait vs. flies etc. ;o)

[Larry S.]

You hit the nail on the head. Looks to me like that is a good way for one to get put on the "Ignore" list.

As far as earphones on the stream I can't for the life of me see how anyone can enjoy fishing with them things stuck in your ears or waiting for your cell phone to ring, ect. but then to each his own I guess.

I'm usually too busy watching for rocks, watching my backcast, picking my fly out of trees, pulling my feet out of muck and swatting bugs to be bothered.

I can remember countless times while fishing that there was a stupid song or commercial ditty stuck in my head that a pair of earphones and music would have been a welcome relief. And what better to soothe your nerves with while untangling windknots than Credence?(am I old or what?)

[Crosby]

I have been to fly fishing hell- its somewhere in Kansas. Now I have the Kansas plug in. Back in the early 80's I went with some buddies to Steelhead below Stanely at Sunbeam. Not having the proper fly fishing gear to Steelhead we all decided to break out the spinning gear. Well the Dam hole at Sunbeam is a tight little deal- 8 guys lined up- his cast, the next, the next and so forth until its the first guys turn again. My buddy has some head phones on- listening to a Kansas tape. Everytime it was his turn - he had no idea- busy tuning out. It was 10 below and after the 4th time of trying to get his attention to tell him it was his turn I cuffed him in the back of the head- knocking the head phones into the river. Everyone clapped and I booked. He tends to get a little upset at stuff like that.
But to each his own- he was having a good time but I just couldn't take it anymore. Once I am on the river I wouldn't have any idea what was playing if I had them on. But b4 and after- nothing like a good tune.

[ollie]

I'll never forget a trip out to the Green last year. We were drifting it during the cicada hatch and there was another boat that we kept noticing pulled off in all the backeddies. Two yuppie-looking guys would have their guide pull them off the river every 1/2 hour or so to take & make phone calls on their cell. It was bewildering to me. Granted, the Green in the spring is not a place to avoid the crowds and find complete outdoor solace, but I couldn't fathom the mindset of these two guys. I hate cell phones as it is, to take one on the river is another story. If you've even been annoyed in a nice restraunt by someone's annoying cell phone blaring out an electronic rendition of "She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain" while they fumble through their pockets, imagine hearing a cell phone ring while you're floating down the majestic A section canyon. I hope the fish gods curse those two guys with many errant back casts and leaky waders on a cold winter day.

Regarding headphones, I've never used them while fishing, and I probably wouldn't have any desire to. If you're going to bust out the CCR or even a little classical (Vivaldi works great), be my guest, whatever envigorates the senses. I love to crank the old John Denver on my way to and from the river. Whatever floats your boat.

[Crosby]

You mean I got up from my fly tying bench to check this out and you're not talking about Michigan???

[Bryan E.]

I have been justly chastised, and I do apologize. Sometimes things that seem to be funny and/or harmless may not be so. I will try to curb my jocularity in the future.

FYI I deleted my ealier post.

Hope all of you enjoy the celebrations this evening and that a very Happy New Year is had by all.

[Light Cahill]

I think you got the point that I wasn't slamming you, as my sister is a BYU graduate, and I have a good respect for the school. I just didn't want anyone else, who doesn't share the insider humor to feel alienated. Please feel welcome here, I do enjoy your posts...

[Flyfishn]

I guess I am going to flyfishing purgatory...I at times will where headphones. Though, I usually do not wear both, just one...guess I can only make it to middle purgatory. I also where them while riding my 4-wheeler under my helmet.

In the end, who cares, don't let them bully you! =)

[Anthony]

Listen To Bob Marley

[Grizz]

I find it quite enjoyable just listening to a good angling brother whistle a sweet tune backed up by the soul beat of the river. The laughter, hollerin' & songs of nature are enough to keep me happy 'n swell. I think all fishing should be conducted without the aid or ease of electronics.

The travel to & from is a different tune.

02 p's

[Bryan Briggs]

JW,If you end up there, look me up. I see nothing wrong with a little music on the water, especially if you are fishing alone. I occasionally pull out a CD on slow days. When fishing is hot, I'm in a different zone.

[Ouzel]

YES, you certainly are going to hell and not just for wearing earphones, which might be considered a vieinal sin at best. Once there you will be given the latest and greatest fly equipment available and have a beautiful young women to tie your flies on. But, the earphones will be permently afixed to your ears and will only play Miles and U2 - for eternity.

The beautiful young women? She's yours only after you catch a fish. What water do you get to fish - the "River Stycks" of course.

You can listen to music anytime.

Don't do that again, now go sit in the time out chair.

Bad Jduba.

:-)

[LBM]

Hi Jdub,

The last thing I want to do is drag some cell phone or electronic music maker out there with me. .

RAW, you scare me. Sometimes I look in the mirror and swear I see you looking back at me. I agree. Two summers ago, I was on telephone standby at work one Sunday. I stretched my response time a little bit and drove up to the Little Bear. I was sittin on a gravel bar when the damm thing went off. It was such an odd sound, considering the circumstances, I didn't realize it was the damm phone until it quit ringing. Sometimes I wonder how I managed to survive fifty years of life without a cell phone plugged in my ear 24 hours a day. Going to work at 6 AM, 2/3rds of the idiots on the road are yacking on the phone. For cripes sake, they just got out of bed. What could be so important that early in the morning?


Larry

[PowerBaitHeppy]

I don't think you did anything wrong...considering the river you were fishing. In all reality, how many others on that same river had their cell phones, and pagers with them? At least you were keeping your noise polution to your self, and not sharing with the rest of the wasatch front! I agree with RAW, that electronic noise makers should be left at home when heading out fishing, but let's put this into context...seriously, is fishing the Provo River really escaping to nature? Or is it kind of like going to the mall (or a fashion show)? By all means, when fishing the provo, take headphones and music. That would be much more pleasant than putting up with all the other noise that comes along with that river...

[Danny]

quite simply, the answer to the original question is -- Yes.

[jdubya]

yeah but now i'm trying to design a water power driven stereo with subwoofer for my boat. how about a little "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" going by when you are hip deep on the South Fork and have no place to escape to????

[A_Ravens_Cry]

I don't think listening to music and what not while flyfishing is bad. I just recently did it during the general conference week on the Green River. My 21st birthday was on April 2nd and my father wanted to take me to the Green for the weekend and it was also General Conference, So I just went to Wal-mart and bought a cheap walkman and was flyfishing while I was listening. I got some very wierd looks from some other flyfisherman and some just stuck their nose in the air, but hey do whatever tweaks your cookie.

Jake.

[Sumner Newman]

JW: I'm not familiar with Miles Davis, so I couldn't say for sure. But, personally, unless you're listening to the classical masters (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Handel, etc.), I think you're out of sync with the quiet, contemplative, celestial pursuit that is fly fishing (especially on stillwaters
;-)).

A Ravens Cry: I've made it a tradition the past 6 or 7 years to spend Gen. Conf. Saturday fishing and listening to Conference via my little Walkman. I generally get off the water about 4 p.m. so I can head into the nearest town and make the Priesthood session. If you think you got funny looks on the Green, you should see the looks I get on the shore of the lake while changing out of my fishing waders and clothes into a white shirt and tie :-) Precious moments!!

[Utah DaveII]

It all depends on who your listening too. If it's Brittney Spears (watching her videos is different) you might already be in hell.

[Sumner Newman]

Sometimes I wonder how I managed to survive fifty years of life without a cell phone plugged in my ear 24 hours a day. Going to work at 6 AM, 2/3rds of the idiots on the road are yacking on the phone. For cripes sake, they just got out of bed. What could be so important that early in the morning?

Amen! While I will agree that one possible justification for having a cell phone is to use in case of an emergency when you're out on the road away from home, you just have to ask, how did we survive all those emergencies out on the road back in the day when we did not have the cell phone? Other than this one justification, virtually all the other uses of cell phones I observe are nothing more than obvious symptoms of the weak-minded sheep in society being easily manipulated by the corporate marketers and advertising. My gosh, if everybody else has one and all the ads say I gotta have one, I must gotta have one, right?!!!!!!

(I do NOT have a cell phone, in case you're wondering.)

[jdubya]

JW: I'm not familiar with Miles Davis, so I couldn't say for sure. !

damn sumner you have not fully experienced the bounty of life. what is your email like: i'll send you MP3's...

[Sumner Newman]

The "bounty" of life? Nah, that's OK, Jdub, don't worry about it. You may call it "bounty" . . . I think I'd probably call it something else.