Hi Folks,
Oh boy! I just gathered up all of my fishing reels and rods last night and am about to start on my annual “spring tune up”. No, it’s not spring here yet, but in a few weeks it will be warming in Florida and Texas and other areas that hold some BIG bass. Okeechobee, Lake Fork, and some other prime areas will be calling none too soon. Time to get the boat polished, the engine tuned, trailer gone over, and all the “weapons” in perfect working order.
Every year I do this it seems the number of rods and reels multiply substantially. I know I didn’t add that much gear last year. It just “happens”. And I don’t know how. This is the time of year my wife of almost 50 years starts to question just how many fishing outfits one person needs. Not to be caught too far off guard, I quickly point out need is not the sole criteria here (I’ve yet to come up with just what is), just as it is not necessarily the sole criteria for women purchasing shoes. As you might guess, I am now on very “thin ice” with my bride.
But let’s be honest here, just how many pair of shoes does one woman need? Long, long ago our small closet was taken over by a rainbow of colorful ladies shoes of various models and purpose. They are on the floor, on the shelves, on top of the upper deck….everywhere. How could you possibly wear even half as many shoes?
Maybe I’m the only guy wondering about this phenomenon, but I doubt it. Some of my buddies have cautiously eluded to similar confusion, but only very quietly and only after they are sure the person they confide in is to be trusted. My take: women are very sensitive about their shoes….very, very sensitive.
My wife would no exception. Just the mention of shoes or referring to Dixie as “the Imelda Marcos of Indiana” caused an immediate reaction. Or, as they say, “That’s when the fight started.”
Oops, I’m getting off track here. Rods and reels. Right. Anyway, every year I bring all my gear into the family room, turn on the television, tune to a football game (or now a basketball game or NASCAR race), and start cleaning, lubing, polishing, and putting new line on all of my reels. I clean the cork on my rods, check the guides and inserts, make sure the reel seat is Ok, and generally do all I can to make sure I’m ready to bolt out the door on less than 30 seconds notice whenever my buddies call about a trip. And lo and behold I somehow always discover I have additional needs – new rod, new reel, fresh line – well, you no doubt understand.
And yes, I DO use American Legacy’s Trade-In Program. That helps keep my “rod count” somewhat consistent and my marital life on an even keel. Like my Dad told me one time, “Happy wife, happy life.” (he was so profound)
Back to the shoes. Does anyone know why women need so many pairs of shoes? I honestly think my bride has more shoes than she has dresses to match them to. Pointy toes, flat toes, no toes, high tops, low tops, sandals, flip flops, loafers, high heels, low heels, no heels. Wow, I never realized just how extensive of a “collection” was setting there in the closet. I swear there are shoes in boxes that have never been worn. Perhaps we have identified a key psychological weakness here. But she’s such a great wife!
Then there are the purses. I’ll bet she has………………………..
OK, I’m back. I have been told I am way off track, way out of line, and need to stick to business. Who knew Dixie could read from that far away? Anyway, we have some great deals for you in this newsletter and hope you are all doing great and ready for another fabulous year of fishing enjoyment and memories. I know we are.
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
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