Fly Fishing Elitism (from an outsiders perspective)

[Cznymph]

I moved to Galeton in Potter County in '95 & was told by Coudersport residents that Galeton was the "arm pit of Potter County". I told my daughter she was a ridge runner(she was born in Potter County) but your mom & dad will always be flatlanders. Personally I don't give a **** what you call me...... but don't be crying about being called "bubba".

You’re not the one who gets to decide that. I don’t care to see my friends, my family and myself stereotyped as uneducated hillbillies.

I’ve shown you multiple instances of fly fishermen on this forum using derogatory language towards rural residents, bait fisherman and others. You asked to see proof, I showed you. You refused to read the examples I provided. You then claimed that it’s not a big deal you don’t get to be upset about that.

 

[ryansheehan]

Are putt-putt golfers just as hurt by the elitism of links golfers?

 

[FarmerDave]

Here’s member Farmerdave referring to the “Traditional Anglers of PA” as Tarded Anglers of PA, who chase the trucks and use only bait”
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/the-elitist-fly-fisherman-reality-or-myth.28873/page-2

That was what? 11 years ago? There was quite a bit of joking around in that that thread.

It is true that I don't have a lot of respect for a group (TAP) who thinks stocking the crap out of everything is somehow good or traditional. THAT is what that comment was about. It had nothing to do with their preferred fishing method. I even provided a link to TAP but apparently it is no longer active.

I have consistently defended bait and spin anglers since before CZ Nymphing was even a thing in this country. I even did that several times in that thread.

You are really grasping by using that.

 

[Cznymph]

That was what? 11 years ago? There was quite a bit of joking around in that that thread.

It is true that I don't have a lot of respect for a group (TAP) who thinks stocking the crap out of everything is somehow good or traditional. THAT is what that comment was about. It had nothing to do with their preferred fishing method. I even provided a link to TAP but apparently it is no longer active.

I have consistently defended bait and spin anglers since before CZ Nymphing was even a thing in this country. I even did that several times in that thread.

You are really grasping by using that.

Whatever you need to tell yourself.

 

[FarmerDave]

Are putt-putt golfers just as hurt by the elitism of links golfers?

And disk golfers are offended by putt-putt golfers. 😉

 

[FarmerDave]

Whatever you need to tell yourself.

It's true. All you need to do is look in that same thread, but I'm not going to hold your hand.

 

[Cznymph]

It's true. All you need to do is look in that same thread, but I'm not going to hold your hand.

Sounds like a bunch of politicians when they get caught.

“It was so long ago”

“we were just kidding”

“That’s not what it meant”

 

[rrt]

Hey, Dave, remember some of the stuff I wrote about and then got blasted over? I'll bet not; only the blasters might remember. Anyhow, I really can't believe you're getting hammered over something from 11 years ago. I certainly wouldn't take it to heart. All the old guys on here (me, etc.) and most of the more recent participants, too, know you are one of the good guys on this site. IMO, you rank up on the highest level thoughtful and level-headed, much like troutbert. Anyhow, don't let something like this get under your skin.

(Here's an old one about me from you I recall. I was arguing, pretty belligerently, about my pet peeve, and finally you told me something like this: "Go to bed, rrt." Pretty good advice, and kind of humorous now, isn't it?)

 

[FarmerDave]

Hey, Dave, remember some of the stuff I wrote about and then got blasted over? I'll bet not; only the blasters might remember. Anyhow, I really can't believe you're getting hammered over something from 11 years ago. I certainly wouldn't take it to heart. All the old guys on here (me, etc.) and most of the more recent participants, too, know you are one of the good guys on this site. IMO, you rank up on the highest level thoughtful and level-headed, much like troutbert. Anyhow, don't let something like this get under your skin.

(Here's an old one about me from you I recall. I was arguing, pretty belligerently, about my pet peeve, and finally you told me something like this: "Go to bed, rrt." Pretty good advice, and kind of humorous now, isn't it?)

Thanks for the kind words. He's not under my skin. I just thought it was strange that he included one of my posts in that. He just doesn't know me.

I do remember that being said, and don't mind taking credit for it, but I am not sure it was me. I think it was Jeff F?

 

[ryansheehan]

And disk golfers are offended by putt-putt golfers. 😉

Don't get me started on the pickleball/tennis one!

 

[rrt]

Nah, I'm 99.9% sure it was you. I'm not sure, but I think Jeff F. was one of my antagonists.

Anyhow, your advice was good. (I've tried to behave better since then -- most of the time.)

And, don't just think of what I said as being just kind words. Over the years, you have been one of the most thoughtful and positive people on here. You have earned the respect of the members of this site -- and I imagine you've earned the respect of everyone who knows you.

 

[hooker-of-men]

If I came to the conversation with the stereotype that rural folks are stoical, tight-lipped, and gritty, this thread has certainly disavowed me of that stereotype by showing me they can be whiney, condescending, and prone to parading their sense of victimization. Congrats!

 

[jifigz]

Fellas, all yinz' guys are wasting your time with this thread.

It's hit a dead end.

 

[troutbert]

Many of the people I've met living in Potter County and nearby were from southern PA.

Nothing wrong with that. Just pointing out that many of them are flatlanders who moved north.

 

[afishinado]

Coming on PAFF is completely voluntary.

IMHO nearly all members of the board are really good and respectable people that are willing to help others and share info.

If anyone feels differently and/or feels disrespected, just don't read or participate on this site.

 

[Kms]

Fellas, all yinz' guys are wasting your time with this thread.

It's hit a dead end.

It’s backed up and hit it repeatedly.
(I just did it again. Dang.)

 

[mt_flyfisher]

Elite or not, rather than argue the point, sometimes it’s best to turn your back and walk away.

 

[The_Sasquatch]

Dear troutbert,

Way to drop the hammer!

You are almost never confrontational. If your nerves were poked that is really saying something!

Regards,

Tim Murphy 🙂

I was going to say the same thing. If TROUTBERT of all people is calling you out, it's time to reconsider your life.

 

[The_Sasquatch]

Sure thing. Here are several fine examples.
Here’s a thread that you started. We’ve got fly fisherman calling local residents hilljacks that let their kids ride atvs and “Bubba Culture” with our big loud trucks.
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/no-more-quiet-times-in-parts-of-potter-county.51550/
Look here, a poster declaring that the “I think bait chunkers and rapala tossers have more than enough waters to pillage and giving them access to DH waters is bad business.” Heaven forbid that the fly fishing elite have to share waters with lowly bait fisherman. Even referring to these bait anglers as “Bubba.”
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/pink-buttons.37144/page-6#post-541489
Poster wgmiller added his own special flair to the fly fishing elitist lingo here by deaming bait fisherman as “Bubba Baitchucker”
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/the-spotburning-thread.23519/page-16#post-344846
Rural resident referred to as “Backwoods Bubba”
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/big-fish-of-pa-2008.6660/#post-67357
Let us look at some other examples of fly fisherman speaking poorly about others.
This thread about someone’s lost lures insinuates that a fly fisherman would never leave a mess behind.
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/things-a-fly-fisherman-would-never-do.15307/
Oh, this is a doozy. “Bait Slingers”, “Mullet Havin’, keep everything you catch redneck”
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/s...epo-and-wild-streams.25584/page-2#post-369932
Here’s member Farmerdave referring to the “Traditional Anglers of PA” as Tarded Anglers of PA, who chase the trucks and use only bait”
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/the-elitist-fly-fisherman-reality-or-myth.28873/page-2
A fishing derby called the “Redneck Derby”.
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/stony-creek-derby.13065/#post-167349
Redneck activities are environmentally destructive.
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/windmills-ii.10969/page-2#post-131832
Perhaps we should just let the bait fisherman fish right in the raceways as this poster suggests. Then you wouldn’t have to share the water with them.
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/c-r-extended-trout-season.33154/#post-485209
“Bait Chucker” reference
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/really-frustrating-first-day.24917/#post-362186
This poster describes what they feel bait anglers are thinking.
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/stockings-creels-freestones.17412/#post-244137
Apparently bait anglers also don’t understand how to release fish.
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/nothing-is-sacred.13467/page-2#post-172694
A state trooper that wouldn’t enforce the fish code, because he must be a “Bait Chucker”
https://www.paflyfish.com/threads/im-a-little-ticked-off.7228/#post-74726

Maybe calling fly fisherman elitest is the wrong term, I like pretentious much better.

I live amongst rednecks and hillbillies-and none of them would ever be offended by any of these posts. Certainly none of them are offended by being called "redneck" or "hillbilly". In fact, "hillbilly" is worn as a badge of honor. Also just going through some of these threads, half the people calling others rednecks are, and I know this first hand, actual rednecks themselves. PCRAY...and you REALLY think a dude named "Farmer Dave" suffers from elitism!? I haven't met him in person, but having interacted w/ him for well over a decade now, I'm almost certain he's a "good ole' boy"...dare I say, a BUBBA himself.
Sounds like you suffer from a victim mentality.

I would recommend you spend a little less time digging up threads from over a decade ago, and a little more time getting to know some of the dudes 'round these parts. Then you might be able to discern folks' senses of humor instead of getting hurt over someone from a rural area calling other people from a rural area a "hilljack" or "bubba".

 

[Cznymph]

I live amongst rednecks and hillbillies-and none of them would ever be offended by any of these posts. Certainly none of them are offended by being called "redneck" or "hillbilly". In fact, "hillbilly" is worn as a badge of honor. Also just going through some of these threads, half the people calling others rednecks are, and I know this first hand, actual rednecks themselves. PCRAY...and you REALLY think a dude named "Farmer Dave" suffers from elitism!? I haven't met him in person, but having interacted w/ him for well over a decade now, I'm almost certain he's a "good ole' boy"...dare I say, a BUBBA himself.
Sounds like you suffer from a victim mentality. You a proponent of "CFT"? (Critical Fishing Theory) or something?

I would recommend you spend a little less time digging up threads from over a decade ago, and a little more time getting to know some of the dudes 'round these parts. Then you might be able to discern folks' senses of humor instead of getting hurt over someone from a rural area calling other people from a rural area a "hilljack" or "bubba".

Maybe we all just suffer from "Fly Fishing Fragility"

Again, you don’t get to decide what people like or don’t like to be called. Just because you moved out out of the burbs and into WV doesn’t make you an expert in rural affairs.

I frankly have grown very tired of the down state crowd treating people of my area like garbage. I believe you were part of a recent thread chastising rural residents for the appearance of their property.

I’ve seen enough of this behavior out of fly fisherman as a lifelong resident of potter county. I don’t think that living within 15 minutes of a metro area with 300,000 people really makes you qualified to speak on the subject.