Looking Good!

In my early years, it was Gant and Cero shirts, Weejun shoes, and Goldcup socks.  Now it spills over into boats...

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by Ron Brooks

All the way through high school and college I was plagued (as were  probably most of you) with the never-ending battle to “look right”.  Remember?  We had to wear the right clothes, the right shoes, and the right labels so we could be considered a part of what we called the “in crowd”.

I thought after this many years, that all this would be behind us and we could just be ourselves.  I sadly report today that some of us in the fishing world are still plagued.  I hate to admit it, but I include myself in the group.

I have fishing shirts – not just any fishing shirts, but the vented back variety.  You know the ones.  They have those little tabs and loops on the pockets, the function of which no one really knows!  And I have pants – the ones that let you unzip the legs and convert them to shorts.  And both the pants and shirt are the “right” brand; no cheap imitations for me.

I know I must look the part, and I know that this is part of the plague.  What I did not realize is just how far the plague goes.

I have a nice boat.  I watched it being built, and I bought it at least partly for how it looked in the water and on the trailer.  Yes, you heard right – how it looked.  I have a trolling motor on the bow, one that required an extended shaft just to reach the water.  Fact is, I have used it only about three times in the last year, and the batteries have been dead for over two months.  But, I have that trolling motor – the one that makes my boat look right!  Anyone who knows what they’re doing has a trolling motor!

I often compare boats at the ramp.  I look at mine and tell myself how much better it looks than others that idle by.  I also notice the anglers in those other boats.  It seems that they are looking my boat over as well.  It has finally occurred to me that they aren’t admiring my boat as much as they are telling themselves how much better their boat looked than mine!  Heck, they’re as plagued as I am!!  And they have the same shirt on that I do!!

I had just about decided that all this looking right, wearing the right clothes, and having the right boat was a bunch of bunk.  I had almost decided that what mattered most to me was having a good fishing trip, catching a few fish, and learning something new on every trip.  That's what I needed to be all about.

I think it was right about that time that I saw that 27-foot SeaCraft center console for sale.  Twin 200’s, T-Top, outriggers, leaning post, and rocket launchers – this boat had all the bells and whistles.  And, you guessed it; it sure did look good!

I’m changing into my yellow fishing shirt now, the one with my name embroidered over the pocket.  Then I’m headed over to look at that boat.  Hey, I have to look right if I’m going to talk about buying a boat that looks that good!  Geeeez I hope I look good in it!  I hope it looks good around me!!

 

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