I understand the concept of luxury establishments just fine, and even if I didn’t, I largely lack the class warrior gene. If the rich want to pay through the nose to catch pellet-fed trout, then more power to ‘em.

Still, when Donnie Beaver enters into the equation – the much-disliked “entrepreneur” who has repeatedly tried to illegally bar public access to public waters – then I’m also completely willing to howl at the moon a little.

It appears Beaver’s (Ward, I’m concerned about the Beaver) westward expansion has resulted in a the HomeWaters Club (Official Motto: Never Again Be Forced to Fly Fish With Common People).

This from the “Luxist” web site:

HomeWaters Club is a theme based private club, with multiple locations and reciprocal rights of use in each, similar to an equity-based destination club, but with a fly-fishing identity. It was formed in 2009 as an alliance between Spring Ridge Club of Pennsylvania and Alpine River Club of Colorado, to preserve, and offer members access to 35 miles of trout and steelhead waters across Pennsylvania and 40 miles of the streams and rivers in Colorado. At present, there are nearly 200 members, and the club is expanding to other areas of the US. But right now, the locations span from central, northeastern and Erie, Pennsylvania, to Vail and Steamboat Springs Colorado areas.

So far, it’s pretty standard marketing puffery, albeit for a company whose bylaws include a hoofprint signature from the cloven-hooved deceiver himself.

But in the next paragraph, note the appearance of a well-known fly fisherman’s name:

Recently, a new dimension was added to HomeWaters Club, and that is is HomeWaters University. This is a new program designed to offer a two-day fly-fishing immersion experience. With a staff of 20 fishing guides, HomeWaters University can teach beginners and experts, children and parents, from how to cast for the first time, all the way to learning new casting skills. Housed at the HomeWaters Club new River Village in Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania, the center-piece of HomeWaters University is the first-ever Lefty Kreh Challenge Course offering a range of dry-land, still-water and moving-water stations.

Ahh, Lefty – fly fishing’s Biggest Self-Promoter Most Recognized Name. Did you really have to do it?

Clearly, fly fishing isn’t a route to a lifetime of riches or early, yacht-based retirement.

That said, you risk being exposed for feet of clay when you mess with the folks drawing the attention of a lot of airborne rotting vegetables.

See you on the river, Tom Chandler.

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