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Trout Bums at Large is a monthly column appearing in the Yakima Herald-Republic and the Seattle Times. The column is written by Randal Sumner and Mark Littleton. We will be keeping an archive of these articles on this page.
Elvis Lives
by Randal Sumner
07/01/2004
I see a lot of trout fishermen showing up on the river in a state
of high anxiety. This of course is the state we Americans find our
selves in most of the time. Our culture is a cocktail of relentless
competition mixed with stress and a touch of anger. It’s the
job, the kids, the stock market, the election, on and on. I must
be preaching again, I’ll stop.
Trout aren’t like us. They compete to live, not for more stuff.
A trout doesn’t want a Rolex watch; a couple of tasty stonefly
nymphs in cool water will be fine. The troutbum lesson for today
is complicated so lets pay attention. THE TROUT CAN TELL IF YOU’RE
TENSE.
I have personally witnessed this angling truth more than a few times.
We put our gear together and charge into the river bullwhipping
the water to froth. What do the trout think of that behavior? They
think “man you have got to be kidding”. In other words
they don’t like it at all. The trout aren’t impressed
with our importance or our rudeness. So how do we leave our tension
behind us? We don’t, I believe that most people like striving
at this hellish pace. The trout bum however is just happy getting
to the vertical position each morning. Were alive another day, lets
not blow it. If we can’t go fishing today lets at least think
about fishing. Maybe tie a few flies or thumb through our newest
fly-fishing catalog.
If you get to the water, take your time getting your gear together.
Watch the water it has a therapeutic value. If this doesn’t
decompress your worldly problems, sing. This is better if you’re
alone. I discovered this singing therapy while fishing for steelhead
on the Deschutes River. After four days of casting like a machine,
I found myself belting out a rendition of Heartbreak Hotel. It was
just me, Elvis and Mr. Loomis in a perfect world. No I didn’t
hook a steelhead that evening but I did cross over for a time to
the pure joy of fly-fishing.
We need to cherish and protect the time we have to fish. We need
to fish more. Skip a few PTA meetings or kiddy soccer matches. This
is your life don’t blow it. People may start to call you a
bum, maybe even a troutbum. Just smile and start humming
More Trout Bum Articles:
01/26/2010: Redfish Round-up by Randal Sumner
11/24/2009: Kentucky Don and English Bob by Randal Sumner
08/25/2009: A word about Bears by R.Sumner
06/30/2009: Polar bear hugging by Randal Sumner
01/27/2009: Christmas letters by Randal Sumner
11/25/2008: Trip to Eden by Randal Sumner
08/07/2008: Mime Time by R. Sumner
06/02/2008: fuel vs fishing by R. Sumner
05/01/2008: Long sleeve Hawiian shirt by R.Sumner
02/07/2008: The Empire by R. Sumner
11/29/2007: Troutbum self-help by R. Sumner
09/04/2007: The Perfect Client by Randal Sumner
07/02/2007: High Anxiety by R.Sumner
03/29/2007: Grasshopper by Randal Sumner
01/25/2007: Chinese food by R. Sumner
11/30/2006: Old Whitey by R.Sumner
09/28/2006: Chief Holland USN retired by R. Sumner
07/10/2006: BBQ by R.Sumner
05/30/2006: Cashmere by R. sumner
03/30/2006: Sterling Choices by Randal Sumner
01/26/2006: Tying with Pablo by Randal Sumner
12/01/2005: Brrr by Mark Littleton
11/24/2005: Thanksgiving 2005 by randal Sumner
09/01/2005: Anchors Away by Mark Littleton
07/01/2005: Some kinda fun by Randal Sumner
05/01/2005: The Base Lake by Randal Sumner
04/01/2005: Humble Pie by Mark Littleton
03/01/2005: Dance monkey dance by randal Sumner
01/01/2005: Where are the Instructions? by Randal Sumner
12/01/2004: Das Boat by Mark Littleton
11/01/2004: What me Worry? by Mark Littlton
10/01/2004: Priorities by Mark Littlton
09/01/2004: Falling In by Mark Littleton
08/01/2004: Ice Fishing by Randal Sumner
07/01/2004: Honey, I flooded the basement by Randal Sumner
06/01/2004: Coyote by Randal Sumner
05/01/2004: Redfish and Capt. Dan by Mark Littleton
04/01/2004: Vested Interest by Randal Sumner
03/01/2004: Are you a Troutbum? by Mark Littleton
12/01/2003: Christmas presents by Mark Littleton
11/01/2003: Oklahoma by Randal Sumner
10/01/2003: Steel heading JuJu by Randal Sumner
09/01/2003: Motor Home by Randal Sumner
08/01/2003: Life is Funny by Mark Littlton
07/01/2003: Deschutes by Mark Littleton
06/01/2003: Class of 2002 by Randal Sumner
05/01/2003: BOAT FISHING by Mark Littlton
04/01/2003: ALASKA, LAND OF THE MIDNIGHTBLUE TARP by Randal Sumner
03/01/2003: MARCH BROWNS by Mark Littleton
02/01/2003: DEEP IN THE HEART OF IDAHO by Randal Sumner
01/01/2003: TOP TEN by Mark Littleton
12/01/2002: SAN MIGUEL by Randal Sumner
11/01/2002: DISNEYLAND by Randal Sumner
10/01/2002: CAMPING by Mark Littleton
09/01/2002: MMMM MAYFLIES by Mark Littleton
08/01/2002: CARNEGIE HALL by Randal Sumner
07/01/2002: CRAWFISH PIE by Randal Sumner
06/01/2002: Sons and Pals by Mark Littleton
03/01/2002: Visitation by Randal Sumner
02/01/2002: Ouch by Mark Littleton
01/01/2002: Death by Randal Sumner
11/01/2001: Leakers by Randal Sumner
09/01/2001: Poser by Randal Sumner
08/01/2001: Snake River Diary by Mark Littleton
08/01/2001: It's Hard by Mark Littleton
07/01/2001: Etiqutte by Randal Sumner
06/01/2001: June by Mark Littleton
05/01/2001: Road Trip to Paradise by Randal Sumner
04/01/2001: What Are They Doing Up There? by Mark Littleton
03/01/2001: Gear by Randal Sumner
02/01/2001: Soft Hackles by Mark Littleton
01/25/2001: Motivation by Randal Sumner
12/28/2000: Winter Fishing by Mark Littleton
11/30/2000: Old Blackie by Randal Sumner
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