Down Time ?

LOCALS HANG OUT

Workers Are Working

some do other things

WALLPAPER:   NOT HERE

-------

.. In our village the neighbors recognize several loosely defined categories of residents. There are visitors, transients, summer people, part timers, summer workers, etc. AND "locals."

SNOWED IN

.. Among the fly fishing coterie there are very few locals.
.. Some of the fly shops make their money in summer and close for the winter.
.. Most of the guides leave for warmer climes as soon as the bawdy summer sports and their tips dwindle to a dribble.
.. A few guides hang out and scrape up some suds money doing miscellaneous jobs for the winter. A very few owners and guides keep their doors open and tend to the business of serving customers and running the shop.
.. For this latter small group of locals our village is home. They have committed to the visitors or fishers who live here year 'round and who know the pleasures and satisfaction of winter fishing. These are the locals.

DOWN TIME  ??

.. For the local fishers and fly merchants the concept of down time is a fallacy.
.. The shop needs tending to. The stock must be inventoried. Orders for clothing, flies, gear, and sundries must be placed.
.. Permits, licenses, and official impedimenta must be dealt with. Customers must be attended to. Regulations must be scrutinized for changes and updates. Building maintenance and repairs have their place in line.
.. Most customers visiting  our village expect exceptional quality from our specialty fly shops. They deserve it.
.. A very few fly fishers appreciate musty smells, dusty merchandise, chaos in fly bins, and randomly placed merchandise. They can find their joy in town, if they seek it.

OPEN DOOR

.. For the locals fly bins must be inventoried, sorted, dusted, polished and culled.
.. Floors and walls must be dusted and swept.
.. Carpets cleaned and vacuumed, (a constant given the state and condition of waders.)
.. Reels and rods and other accouterments need to be inspected, polished, (or culled,) arranged, and placed in clean and neat cases and racks.
.. The local shops and guides have great insight into our fishing and catching. They have the advantage of seeing the seasonal fluctuations of our weather. They watch the changes of the rivers and streams.
.. They don't face the sometimes crippling quandary of having to reacquaint themselves with our waters. Their  memory is of last week or yesterday - not last season or last summer.

ENDURE THE MUSH

.. Yes, dusting, cleaning, sorting, and such is given a rest for time to fish.
Fishing becomes almost rote. It's not quite religious  but, it is a sort of homage. It is a respectful obeisance for the resource.
.. There is open and enthusiastic admiration of our place in this world.
.. There is also an honest evaluation of our waters. Not the best in the world. Not the hardest nor the easiest to be found. Certainly, however,  one of the most varied and accessible assortment of opportunities in the fly fishing universe.

TIME OFF

.. Most of the locals will take a couple of weeks or a bit more to explore other venues.
.. Broad experience is a trait that is demanded;  given the range of visitors we receive in the village.
.. Conversational familiarity with the "elsewhere" is a must. Expertise of the "here" is mandatory.
.. We salute the neighbors that need not leave here for months on end. We appreciate their anchor in our neighborhood. Our thanks to you: both to the guys and gals that have found a home amongst our waters and their fish.
.. Mayhaps we too, should organize a few piles of flies. Mayhaps we should tend to the gear. Mayhaps we should patch the waders. Or, head to the pub and visit with the locals.

-------

DUCK CREEK RUNNING FREE TO THE RESERVOIR