Being a fishing bum doesn’t mean you have to drop out of society completely. It’s still possible to have a “proper” job and plan your time around your fishing. We’ve put together a few tongue in cheek questions to see if you are a bona fide fishing bum but we reckon if you are reading this you probably already are!
When you reply to someone speaking to you do you insert fishing terms in by accident?
Yes. 3pts
Sometimes. 1pt
No, don’t be stupid. 0pts
Is your pet named after your favourite river, lake or fly?
Yes. 3pts
No, I wasn’t allowed but wanted to. 1pt
No, it comes from a long line of Championship winners why would I do that? 0pts
When describing the fish you caught the other day to a non-angler do you describe everything in graphic detail including the replicating the moment you set the hook?
Yes. 0 pts
Some of it but left out most of the details. 2pts
If I had to explain it, they wouldn’t understand! 3pts
You’re going fishing and are planning your lunch. Do you:
Pack the hamper and make sure the Chablis is chilled. 0pts
Get up early, make some bread and lovingly make a deli style sandwich. 1pt
Pick up an energy bar and remember there’s still some water in the boot of the car from yesterday. 3pts
You see someone struggling on the lake while you’re hauling them in. Do you:
Look over their way to see if they are watching as you lift into another fish. 0pts
Offer them a fly that has been working and tell them how you have been fishing it. 2pts
Let them have your spot, the fly you have been using and give them some support. 3pts
Would you like it if your partner fished?
Yes, it would be cool, we could visit some great places together and catch some fish along the way. 3pts
I tried to teach them but it wasn’t for them. 2pts
No chance. 0pts
Waders, you know they aren’t going to last for ever do you:
Buy a new pair just as soon as you see a damp patch on your trousers. 0pts
Put up with the leak until it looks like you have a bladder problem when you get out of them at the end of the day. 2pts
Do as above but just keep patching them trying to get a few more trips out of them and anyway, the patched up waders look good. 3pts
When you go fishing you tell your partner that you’ll be back at 6pm. Do they:
Know that this means 8pm if the spinner fall gets good. 3pts
Know this means 8pm but you try and convince them you were late due to car trouble again. 1pt
Know this means 8pm so why didn’t you say 8pm! 0pts
Flies:
I found this great place, the flies are only 20p. I don’t want to spend too much on flies, right? 0pts
I don’t tie flies but will when I get some time. Right now I buy some nice ones from a tyer I know. 2pts
I buy some and tie the rest. It’s the bit we want the fish to see so I want them to be as good as possible. 3pts
When you turn on your computer do you:
Still smile at your screensaver of you and that big old trout. 3pts
Go straight to see what the river levels are. 2pts
Check for a new PM on an internet forum. 0pts
You see a fellow angler on the water and they approach for a chat. Do you:
Head off in the opposite direction quickly. 0pts
Carrying on fishing but give them a smile and a nod. 1pt
See how they are doing and only when they ask how you got on say you’ve caught your share. 3pts
When you buy a new car do you plan the purchase around fishing?
No, I want reliability and low MPG. 0pts
No, it is about the amount of coffee cup holders. 0pts
Yes, I’ll pace the length of the car to check whether a made up 10ft rod can be poked through it so I don’t have to break it down when I move to fish elsewhere. 3pts
You win the lottery. Do you:
Buy some fishing for you and you friends to enjoy. 3pts
Go on that dream trip to Cuba. 3pts
Buy the latest, newest rod, reel, waders and line you’d always promised yourself if you won the lottery. 3pts
Scores don’t really matter. The higher the better but just as long as you are out there enjoying your fishing in the company of good friends or family, trying to help those that are struggling you easily qualify as a fishing bum no matter what!