Legal Means

[ColdWaterFshr]

We live in an age where if you got the bucks, you can drive away from the courtroom on your 17th DWI. Or if you're on death-row, for your 2nd time, you still very likely won't be executed. So to put it in perspective, I don't really care. If some insignificant weasel decides to roll the dice with the game warden, and go to all the trouble of fishing with a semi-soft, semi-plastic, semi-scented whatever, beneath a dam in a semi-real fishery, and gets all semi-proud of his semi-results, and uh, if it doesn't sit well with your semi-jealousy of him getting away with it, then what I want to know is who is the bigger weasel?

[Forsythian]

hehe... you said weasel...

Not sure what semi-soft weasels have to do with the discussion... stay on topic please!

[gonefishin]

We live in an age where if you got the bucks, you can drive away from the courtroom on your 17th DWI. Or if you're on death-row, for your 2nd time, you still very likely won't be executed. So to put it in perspective, I don't really care. If some insignificant weasel decides to roll the dice with the game warden, and go to all the trouble of fishing with a semi-soft, semi-plastic, semi-scented whatever, beneath a dam in a semi-real fishery, and gets all semi-proud of his semi-results, and uh, if it doesn't sit well with your semi-jealousy of him getting away with it, then what I want to know is who is the bigger weasel?

UHhh, was you trying to make a point? Heh heh

[ColdWaterFshr]

Shut up, Beavis.

[Forsythian]

Shut up, Beavis.

I'm out of Pilsner Urquell, and I'm kind of grumpy.

[brooktrout]

I have a question. Now if I keep a piece of licorice in my fly box, is that making all my flies illegal? I have always done this as a matter of tradition and habit. It is a fact that trout ar attracted to the scent. Anyone?

[Phil Lilley]

That's a defined line in the sand. Scent is illegal.

[troutchaser]

You know, it's interesting to see this topic written out. I've seen the various skin materials in the fly shops, but I considered it kind of like cheating. I don't know why I thought that, though. I guess it boils down to a personal definition of what makes it a fly. On some other forums I visit, they'll shred you like a pack of wolves for calling a zebra midge a fly.

To share my personal view, I would refer you to the analogy of the stagecoach driver's interview. The first interviewee came in and he was asked, "These canyon roads are really narrow. How close to the edge can you drive?"

He replied, "Why, I can get within a foot of the edge with no problem."

The second interviewee was asked this question. "I could get within 6 inches of the edge and probably keep her upright" was his reply.

The third interviewee, when asked the same question, replied "I wouldn't know how close I could get. I'd rather stay as far from the edge as I can."

Guess who got the job.

I just don't believe in tempting fate or in bending rules. That's not to say that SilverMallard's point isn't valid. I think that defining what constitutes a fly is up to personal interpretation right up until someone with granted authority draws the line for you.

Oh, yeah. Here's a great trick I saw at Bennett Spring a couple of years ago. Instead of putting the licorice in your fly box, keep it in your mouth. Then, when you tie or re-tie your fly, use a liberal amount of spit to lube the knot. It works wonders with a white chamois worm in the flies only zone.

[jdmidwest]

Well, to further muddy the waters, how could scent be illegal? Everything has to smell like something. Thread smells like thread, a hooks smells like metal. If someone smokes, his flies smell like smoke and they will contain trace amts of whatever is on his fingers when he tyes them.

[MrsDucky]

I think the "weasel" question gets to the heart of this...or the driving close to the edge...If you want to push the envelope, don't call some of us to bail you out. As far as scent goes...I'd think the licorice in the box would be illegal, but eating it while tying you MIGHT get away with. In either case, if you are willing to take the chance, best wishes. Personally, I don't like licorice, so I'm not going to try that one. I've spent a lot of time being called a goody-goody, but on the other hand, I've never been to jail! I prefer to spend my energy on more important things...for example, how do you use condoms to tie flies?????? And, Terry, fish hooks in your ears???? Don't stand behind Mr. Ducky when he casts!