How to Catch More Fish and Bag More Game – Installment 2.8a

How to Catch More Fish and Bag More Game – Installment 2.8a

There was a book written in the early 1990’s entitled “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.” I bought this book in what would prove an unsuccessful attempt to understand women. Specifically my wife and 3 daughters. At that time our youngest daughter was 19, our middle girl 21, and our oldest 25. Dixie was somewhat older…..I really needed some help in coping with this estrogen storm!

The book, as I remember it, was thin, few pages, and had big print. So it’s safe to say it wasn’t something that would be remembered as a monumental work of the writer’s craft. And the cost was fairly expensive for a small book that simply repeated the theme and singular lesson that was being put forth. And that lesson? Men want to fix things and women want to talk about them.

But I have to credit this small, innocuous book with sparking what has become an ongoing quest to partially understand the differences between men and women, and in doing so helping me better understand what makes each valuable and special in their own way. One of those insights I feel is extremely valuable for all of us who hunt and fish. It deals with something called “instructions” and the difference on how men and women approach them.

My wife who I have now been married to for 49 years is my role model when any sort of instructions are involved. Just last year we replaced her old SUV with a new one. Obviously vehicles have changed a lot in 8 years. Lots of technology, lots of new buttons, lights, and even phone connectivity. Her new ride had all this and more.

One evening after we had finished dinner and cleaned up the dishes I put a movie on the DVD and figured Dixie would enjoy it as much as I anticipated I would. But no, she sat there on the couch reading the Instruction Manual that came with her new truck (aka SUV) from front to rear. I was dumbfounded!

I mean, what guy reads the instruction manual for a new vehicle? Certainly not me. Not any of my guy friends who I hang around with. We’re “mechanical” and can figure stuff out as we go. Instruction manuals were made to sit in the glovebox unopened, only to be taken out in case of dire emergency.

Dixie not only read that manual, but systematically reads ANY manual that pertains to a new appliance, a new floor wax, a new laundry detergent. Or whatever. And that got me to thinking.

Fishermen like new reels. New rods. And especially new lures, rigs, and anything else that promises an advantage over the elusive fish or other fishermen. Hunters are basically a big ditto. They buy new bows, bolts (arrows), camo, stands, feeders, game cameras, and other gear that they believe will provide an advantage that will lead to a trophy. Something they can brag about to one and all.

But here’s the deal: How many of you really take the time to THOROUGHLY read the instructions? I’ll share a story or two with you as an example.

A buddy bought a new crossbow and was so anxious to get in the field and bag a trophy buck he had scouted that he left a plastic protector that fit in the flight groove . You can guess how well he did. I bought a ton of new lures this spring, but it never dawned on me to read the instructions that came with each that would have, had I taken the time, given me specific details how to work the lures for the most effective action. And the best chance of catching fish.

OK, I’m not saying that men completely ignore instructions. My son-in-law bought a new Weber gas grill recently and asked me if I would assemble it for him. There had to be a hundred pieces and he would best be charitably described as “mechanically challenged”. So I took on the task and have to admit that even by following the instructions it was tough. We got it assembled, but neither one of us ever thought to read the cooking instructions – just the assembly instructions. Thank goodness my daughter DID read the cooking instructions. I have no doubt that had she not we would have been eating crispy critter steaks!

As I was thinking about writing this piece I went through the store and started checking lures, reels, bows, cameras, you name it. Know what? Everything comes with some instructions! Some fairly basic, some so detailed that, if you were to read them, your success using that item would soar.

Anyway, I just felt I needed to share this amazing revelation with everyone. I know I may be the exception, but I think not. After all, most of our readers are guys. And I truly believe that guys and instructions just don’t get along that well. At least until someone calls this omission to their attention. So now you can consider yourself notified……………….

This week we have received a shipment of outdoor gear that we are very excited about.  Stormr is the finest foul weather gear on the market, and it is worth it’s weight in gold when it comes to cold weather. 

Thanks to all of our great friends and customers who have supported us and passed our name on to their friends. We know we are only here by making sure your needs are our first and only priority. Please let me know if we ever fail to meet and exceed your expectations.

Tight Lines,

Tom Ashby