ANGLING CHARACTERS.

"Angling Characters" was published in the October 1999 issue of Rod and Line magazine.

    

     While fishing I not only observe the surrounding for signs of fish, but I also was observing my fellow anglers too. Here is a list of some of the most extreme characters whom I feel most of our fishing 'kakis' can fit into.

1.  The One Rod Man:  Owns only one rod and one reel. Usually those nine to ten footer rods and knuckle buster reel that can pull the jaw out of the Great White. He will brag about how sensitive his outfit is for tilapias and terobols.

2.  The Borrower:  Just like those smokers who never buy cigarettes, he will always be after you for hooks, sinkers, snaps and sometimes even rod and reel. Another species is the one who goes to fishing competition with the barest minimum because he feels he knows everything. When he finds his arsenal is inadequate he will start pestering you for everything. Should you refuse him for one reason or another he'll start cursing and swearing behind you.

3.  The Backgound Poser:  One can always see him in photos of big catches. Not the one holding athe fish, but the one standing behind. He is a fast mover. Before the click of the camera shutter, he is already behind the hero.

4.  The Otter:  As the name suggests, when this one is around all the fish will be miles away. He is the one that always come back empty handed. If ever the group hits bumper harvest, then maybe, maybe only, he will catch one of two for consolation.

5.  The Territorial Violator:  Unscrupulous thick skinned idiots who have no qualms about elbowing you out of a hot biting corner. They will just move next to you and start casting should you hit jackpot. Beware or you'll end up like the Arab in the "Arab and the camel" story. Those not so thick skinned will cast from his corner to your side at the same time preventing those in between from fishing. If you are at the stern and he is at the bow of the boat, he'll use very light sinkers so that the current will carry his bait to your place, and entangling everyone's line in between at the same time.

6.  The Million $ Man:  He comes with branded rods(custom made if possible), limited edtion reels, cowboy hat, Camel jacket, slack and boots. He will swagger around brandishing his gears and doing everything to attract attention, except to fish.

7.  The Selfish Angler:  He will be very nice to you when you have a nice spot. Even your pet dog will lose out to him when it comes to following you around. The moment he gets it out from you, he'll vanish from your sight. Whenever he has a nice spot, you can bet your bottom dollar that he is the only one to know.

8.  The Postman:  He will catch fish as though there is no tomorrow. He gets his thrill not from catching, fighting and releasing fish, but the praise heap on him by the neighbours when he goes round the neighbourhood distributing his catches.

9.  The Mass Murderer:  Killing is his game and mass murderer is his name. Hitler himself has to 'kow tow' and call him 'Tai Kor'. Fish not targeted by him will be diembowered should they be unlucky enough to swallow his bait. Juvenile fish are thrown and squashed to pulp with his leg so as not to irritate him again. Medium size ones are good for his neighbour's cats and dogs and of course the big ones are for himself. Those that he can't consume will be sold off dirt cheap just to pay for his worms. The word 'conservation' can never be found in his dictionary. When the fish or prawn stock is depleted in one area it is because they (fish and prawns) have shifted house.

10.  The Braggart:  You can hear him miles away bragging all the time. His previous catch is always two to three kilos bigger than your present one. The one kilo fish, that he is holding in the photograph, which he caught with a jaw puller filled with twenty kilo line becomes the ten kilo fish caught on the tiniest outfit filled with two kilo line. Whatever he owns, catches or touches will always be the best to him.

11.  The Stinger Poker:  He can be found in most fishing groups. When it comes to paying for makan, petrol or baits, he'll be the first to fight to pay. the trouble is he tries pulling his wallet from his right pocket with his left hand. The only solution for this type of characters is 'PRO-RATA'.

12.  The Samurai:  Keep this guy at thirty footed bamboo's length. This chap spells danger. He is trained from the foul-hooking dojo (karate gym). His sensei (master) taught him to get fish by hook or by crook or by foul hooking with treble hooks and thick broomsticks. To him the samurai's code of ethic, BUSHIDO', does not exist. If you are stupid enough to be behind him you'll be split in halves when he strikes or get struck in the eye by his shuriken (samurai dart-treble hook).