Brain Injury Ends Smoking Addiction – Is There New Hope For Fly Fishermen?

by Tom Chandler on January 26, 2007 · 12 comments

In shocking news which offers fly fishers some small hope of a normal life, scientists have reported that the right kind of brain injury can actually break a smoking addiction.

My brothers, we are freed.

Because the Underground has to ask: could this stunning new technique be applied to fly fishing addictions?

From the New York Times (no less):

Scientists studying stroke patients are reporting today that an injury to a specific part of the brain, near the ear, can instantly and permanently break a smoking habit. People with the injury who stopped smoking found that their bodies, as one man put it, “forgot the urge to smoke.”

Think of the potential:

  • Families of fly fishers could be made whole
  • Compulsive buying of largely indistinguishable graphite fly rods would cease
  • $700 zippered waders would suddenly seem laughable
  • And no longer would we buy magazines running last year’s stories

All due to a simple blow to the head.

Most alluring is the availability of a self-cure; heavy nymph rigs regularly deliver concussions to slow-witted nymph fishers, so a lucky, addiction-breaking blow is possible at almost any time.

Public Service Ads would advise anglers to “Chuck and Duck…for Life.”

Obviously, dry fly fishers lack the potential for a quick smack on the head, so they’d be issued greased rubber wading boots and told to wade across the Pit River (that should do it).

If you’re like me, you’re all atingle right now. A cure for our dread disease might be as close as your container of split shot…

[tags]fly fishing, addiction, split shot[/tags]

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Smithhammer January 27, 2007 at 4:19 pm

Hell, even if it only worked on the magazine compulsion it would be worth it.

But I fear fly fishing roots anchor deeper in the ‘ol grey matter than the ear…  

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2 Jim Webb January 27, 2007 at 10:46 pm

So, if I hit myself in the head with a ball peen hammer right behind the ear, that’ll do it, right?  

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3 Tom Chandler January 28, 2007 at 7:23 am

Jim: While the Underground doesn’t guarantee any results, we embrace the scientific method of experimentation, and are all for someone else trying and reporting the results back to us.  

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4 Smithhammer January 28, 2007 at 11:40 am

Ideally with before and after pics.  

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5 Tom Chandler January 28, 2007 at 12:27 pm

Video would be good too. YouTube’s hot.  

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6 Jim Webb January 28, 2007 at 7:53 pm

Do I have to take the pictures? What about the video?  

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7 Tom Chandler January 29, 2007 at 9:09 am

You could always put the video camera on a tripod, but somebody’s gotta dial 911, and it probably won’t be you.  

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8 Jim Webb January 29, 2007 at 10:57 am

Alas, it’s too late. Bought a new 8′ 4 wt Winston BIIx w/ULA P2 reel two days ago. But maybe if I still do the hammer thing, I won’t care when the creditors start calling. The rod is the fastest I’ve ever owned, but interestingly, not that much more powerful than my 71/2′ 5wt bamboo…just a lot faster.  

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9 Tom Chandler January 29, 2007 at 12:43 pm

Gone to the dark side (and apparently penniless now too).  

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10 clay January 29, 2007 at 3:34 pm

Quick someone hit me in the head!!!!!  

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11 Jim Webb January 29, 2007 at 10:14 pm

I think “dark side” is a bit severe. I told the fella who sold it to me that I would never buy another rod that is not bamboo. Now, both Reams and Sweetgrass are looking interesting. Wonder where I’m gonna find a bank that will let me take out a loan for those. Get your own hammer; it’s too late for me.  

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12 Tom Chandler January 30, 2007 at 8:38 am

Jim Reams used to be the “Best, least-known” Bamboo Rod Builder in the country. I would venture to say his hollowbuilts are among the most advanced bamboo you can buy (Wayne Maca’s rods excepted), and the growth in his waiting list over the last year suggests he’s been discovered.

Sweetgrass is a different story; lots of hype, but no rods produced yet. I realize I’m running against the tide here, but I’d wait.

I’ve gotta get some bamboo rod articles written. Gotta.  

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