I am now in my second summer of this addictive sport and I am wondering if I am starting to lose all reason and find myself sliding down the slippery slope into complete tackle tartdom. I made a few rash purchases in the beginning, mainly on e-bay, Airflo floaters spring to mind and flies with hooks that are as dull as dishwater, but I listened to advice both on the forum and on the bank side and thought I was taking a sensible route, bought lines from fellow forum members, had the casting lessons, was quite happy with what I had and the results have gradually improved with the rods and reels I have. I KNOW that if I spend a small fortune it is not going to catch me any more fish, only experience and keeping an open mind will do that, but I can’t help myself thumbing through catalogues and surfing the net, gazing at rods which cost hundreds of pounds and wondering if a reel that looks like it was designed by NASA will complement it. I have had to leave my credit card at home during the week so I don’t get tempted to use my lunch breaks spending, when I do buy anything I have it delivered to work so the missus is blissfully ignorant. I find myself thinking ‘Why not have a few nice things, it is your hobby’ and ‘Well, look at the money you saved by giving up your season ticket at Stamford Bridge’, I justify the on-coming addiction like a junkie looking for his next fix, the only reading material I consume is fly fishing related and I check the weather each day to see If I can get out when I want to.

Can someone tell me is this it for the rest of my natural, does it get worse, do I eventually reach a stage when my desires are fulfilled or is rehab the only long term solution?

I think I know the answer, but most of you lot on here have been at it a lot longer than me, so would appreciate an informed diagnosis.


All the best

OTT

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'If you didn't waste your youth, you never had one!'. Bloke in the public bar circa 1970

The only cure is to become a fishing genius and start catching lots of fish. It's the onlt thing that makes you realise that the 'tackle tartery' is not really required.
Until then - you are doomed like so many of the rest of us

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Andrew W

"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets." Arthur Miller

Well I thought I was getting sensible in my old age

But I'm not really

As far as I am aware, the only thing that hinders a Tackle Tart from indulging himself, is the lack of funds

Welcome to the world of the tackle tart it only gets worse!
Robert

You are a tackle tart

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see "eliteflies" username, for all my products thanks.

A member of this forum very wisely summed up this condition a while back. As we fish less, many compensate for the lack of fishing by collecting things to fish because it's easier and less time consuming than actually fishing.

I certainly own my share of gear, but I'm not in this game to collect and maintain a mountain of gear. I fish because I like to catch fish, so to me when gear becomes a distraction, it's time to think the heard and get back to fishing.

I guess it all depends on which sport you want to pursue. I suppose it's technically possible to be both a tackle collector and an angler, although I have to say IME these are few and far between. Most tend to fall into to two camps, either the gear nut who spends his time and money collecting, or the angler who has decent gear, but it tends to look a lot more "well worn" than that of the tackle collector.

Grouse

Do not try and analyse the changes you are going through just allow yourself
to slide into the habit , Yes from time to time you will resist but the mistress hardy and the she devil Sage will pluck at your heart and your resistance is futile..
Just enjoy it revel in it and let your self be wrapped in tackle tartdom ...

At least you'll "look like" you know what you're doing.

I'm probably at a similar stage and promised myself to never have more kit than I can carry in my waistcoat and comfortably by hand.

I'm still getting a new rod and reel for my 40th.

Should you ever begin to feel guilty about the amount of gear you are buying then, to assuage your shame completely, you had best send it to me; a worthy charity if there ever was one.

I will then distrubute and share it equally between MrTrout and FatOldGit as I embark on my help the aged capaign!

5% to each and 90% retained for administration fees



Ben

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I'm with Grouse on this one. I passed through the tackle tart phase when I was younger and was a keen coarse fisher. I hate to think about the amount of money I must have wasted in those days, churning my collection of gear without improving it.

I now think that what really matters is the fly, the leader, and what's in the angler's head. Everything that's in between only needs to be fit for purpose.

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"In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." - German proverb
JH based near Southampton