An Underground Expose: the Valentine’s Day gender gap

by Tom Chandler on February 14, 2007 · 12 comments

I’ve been working under tight deadlines all week, and today is no exception.

So instead of thoughtful fly fishing content – or the Jimmy Reams rod review I’ve been promising – you get the following Breaking News: Guys get Screwed on Valentines Day.

Fly Fishing Heart

And not screwed in that good way either:

The average man is expected to spend $156.22 on his Valentine this year, compared to the average woman’s $85.08, according to a recent National Retail Federation survey. The difference is partially because only 6 percent of men are expected to receive Valentine’s Day gifts at all, according to a survey by the National Confectioners Association.

Source: The Valentine’s Day gender gap, The Gainesville Sun

Of course, it’s our own fault; as a gender, we failed miserably in our attempts to create a national “Women Give Guys Fly Rods Day” and now we’ve gotta pay the piper.

OK, so we lost that one. Any ideas on a new holiday created solely for our benefit?

Perhaps a springtime “St. Orvis Day” where fly rods (or waders for intimate couples) are the preferred gift?

[tags]fly fishing, fly rod, valentine’s day, gender gap[/tags]

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jim Webb February 14, 2007 at 11:53 am

Fine, fine. It’s Valentine’s Day, and guys get all the bad breaks. Does any guy really expect a woman to buy him a flyrod, a really good one? Get over it!

I had a girlfriend back in the… a long time ago when rods were made of fiberglass, who bought me a Scott backpacking (now called “traveler”) rod from a fancy store in downtown San Francisco, four piece, as I recall. Fit nicely in a backpack. She and I used to go to the high Sierra to little known places, and fish, among other things. I did not run away with her or marry her, and eventually we parted. Worst mistake of my life. Women don’t give men good fly rods. If you find one who does, my experience says you better grab her damn quick, and don’t let go.

Now where is that review of the Reams bamboo rod? What about the review of the graphites? I’ve been waiting forever for those.  (Quote)

Reply

2 Don George February 14, 2007 at 5:29 pm

Thanks, Tom… After chuckling quietly to myself about the grim realities of V-Day, I was so subtly reminded that LAST Valentines Day I was the recipient of a spanking new Winston BIIX courtesy of my lovely, caring bride.

Given what I gave her today, I may be in a little bit of hot water… maybe even scalding.  (Quote)

Reply

3 Tom Chandler February 14, 2007 at 7:29 pm

Fly rods. There’s only one quicker way to a man’s heart (and that’s through his chest).  (Quote)

Reply

4 Jim Webb February 14, 2007 at 10:23 pm

Yeah, Don. You got a keeper. Better not let her go ;-)  (Quote)

Reply

5 Clay February 15, 2007 at 4:43 am

I gave my wife a couple hints…showed her the Orvis catalog with the Bamboo fly rods, she laughed at me!!! OH, Tom I believe the phrase is: The quickest way to a mans heart is through the chest with a sharpe knife. Just trying to help!lol  (Quote)

Reply

6 hawgdaddy February 15, 2007 at 5:40 am

You’re all wrong! The quickest way to a man’s heart is with Chuck Norris’ fist!

http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/index.html

Take care,
hawgdaddy  (Quote)

Reply

7 michelle February 15, 2007 at 8:52 am

Bastards! Your day is Superbowl Sunday. And if you did get a fly rod you’d say “but I wanted a fiiiive weight”. No pity here boys, suck it up and go fishin’ with one of the rods you already have!  (Quote)

Reply

8 Clay February 15, 2007 at 9:31 am

Youre right Michelle, (ironicly thats my wifes name) You gals should be happy with the flowers and candy you got last year! (God I hope this is not my spouse infiltrating the underground). I am just kiddin’, no animosity here, we should just be happy that you allow us to stay in our own house.  (Quote)

Reply

9 shastacc February 15, 2007 at 10:17 am

Now wait just a minute here….Don forgot to mention that we both gave each other Winston Boron IIX 5 wt.’s for V-Day last year. So that would make us both keepers! Talk about a marriage made in trout heaven….  (Quote)

Reply

10 Tom Chandler February 15, 2007 at 12:36 pm

OK, maybe a Valentine’s post wasn’t the best idea I ever had…  (Quote)

Reply

11 Don George February 15, 2007 at 1:08 pm

How ’bout those rod reviews…  (Quote)

Reply

12 Tom Chandler February 15, 2007 at 3:13 pm

Working on them now…  (Quote)

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: