The Sportsman Corner

I have not always been a "dinosaur." At one time, I actually kept up with modern trends, except perhaps for items of clothing, which I used until they wore out or until Donna slyly discarded them. I always knew when she'd done that because she'd approach me and say, "You need a new (the item of clothing)."

Otherwise, I was not more than 20 years behind the trends of the day. As modern fly rods were developed from Space Age materials, I successfully stashed away "mad money" and procured a number of them. Although I have never become what you'd call a great fly caster, these graphite rods have helped improve my casting.

When digital cameras became the rage, I tried to give up my 35 mm camera and bought one. Donna ended up with this digital camera when I couldn't figure out how to use it. However, within a year or two, I bought another one that was easier to use and that I could carry along with me in my fishing vest. Over the years I have taken some decent photos with that camera and its successors.

I have managed to learn to do some things on a computer. I know how to look things up on the Internet. I even know how to attach items to my email, including the columns I send to the "Herald" each week.

However, as time has marched on, I have fallen far behind on the contemporary technological curve. My most auspicious technological failure is that I see absolutely no reason for having a cellphone. I have previously written about my disdain for these horrid devices and cannot fathom how people can spend their lives staring at 4- or 5-inch screens, yet they do. My basketball friend Gary Bechtel has even threatened to buy me a phone. "That way you can call someone if something happens to you when you're out fishing or hunting," he said.

I replied, "If you do, I'll throw it in the nearest river. Donna knows where to send people to find me if I'm out and don't make it home."

At one time I could order all the items I needed for fly-fishing and fly-tying from catalogues. However, catalogues have pretty much become obsolete in favor of online listings. Just this year my favorite fly shop has stopped producing a catalogue. It's probably a good thing I already have most of the gear I'll ever need for fly-fishing, since I do not do online buying. I guess I really have become a dinosaur.