The Contemplative Angler

I never wish to cause needless suffering to others - this is not an apology to my grade school teachers or my childhood compadre Wayne (I didn't get him stuck, and the pipe looked big enough - certainly the two fire-truck response was excessive) - but as I wander about this planet I will cause some harm to plants, animals, and, regrettably, even Man.

Can I defend my actions which result in the death of living creatures? Certainly, as I always endeavor to make any necessary mortality as swift and pain-free as possible. If I catch a fish and it is edible and legal to harvest, that fish will probably die quickly and be eaten with rejoicing (and strips of bacon, perhaps some lemon or lime...). It is inevitable that creatures must die that others may live - we call this the food chain. I don't gloat that I hold the top position of this chain, because there are many instances in which I would not, e.g., naked on the ice-pack confronting a hungry polar bear, swimming with tiger sharks off Perth, AU, while bleeding profusely... But, more to the point, this body is headed for the bottom of the food-chain someday, so I like to show respect as I go up the chain, and hope it is returned when I go back down.

I have had the great pleasure to enjoy two creations that are near perfect for the purposes for which they were born - two angling journals that, through a combination of art and information, are a continual delight.

The first is a fly fishing magazine from Italy, unlike any bi-monthly fly fishing journal you may have seen, called "Sedge & Mayfly".

To properly appreciate this publication, I will lead you through it using photos of an issue chosen at random. The photo quality doesn't do justice to the original, but I trust it is sufficient to serve as a temptation for the reader to explore further for himself.

The cover of a typical issue [Click on any of the thumbnails to see a larger image.] Note the curious absence of phallic images - large salmonids protruding from the crotches of impeccably coiffed, meticulously dressed fly fishermen.