The reason why we convert to salmon fishing and high power scopes as we get older

[Heym SR20]

I went trout fishing in the spring last year and I noticed that modern trout flies have holes that are almost invisible.

I went salmon fishing in August and had no problems with tying the flies onto the line.

I have always used 6x42 scopes or if a variable then keep it at six. But I have noticed that local deer seem to be getting a lot smaller and that 6 is becoming an 8 - but I can't see the number on the scope.

And I keep having to ask the shop assistants to read me the ingredients on the back of a packet, or the waitress to read me what is on the menu.

And the bloody apple software on my phone keeps reducing the print size.

I was dragged by my daughter to opticians - I asked for longer arms, but instead they gave me a pair of reading glasses - I can now see again up close - but now where did I put the bloody things.

It is now clear to me why elder gentlemen and ladies fish for salmon and use more powerful scopes - its because they can afford to do so - no other reason whatsoever.

 

[JohnT]

We can also afford Varifocals so that we don't have to constantly search for our reading glasses

 

[caorach]

It is now clear to me why elder gentlemen and ladies fish for salmon and use more powerful scopes - its because they can afford to do so - no other reason whatsoever.

While there is something in what you say, and it is with regret that I must confess I identify with all of it, the actual reason why I'm doing more salmon fishing is because I'm less able to walk the long distances to the more remote trout lochs. Most of our salmon rivers and lochs have easy access, indeed many of our trout lochs do as well, but there is always a great pleasure in having a cast on that wee blue dot on the map that is as far as possible from any road and that may never have seen an angler. Most of these blue dots are trout lochs, though some hold salmon and/or sea trout, and my problem is that I can often walk the distance but am slowing down such that doing it in one day isn't easy. If a load myself up with the weight of camping gear then I can no longer walk the distance, at least not in anything less than a week

 

[bluesako]

im 65, and I can see for miles when out stalking, but I need glasses to see the time on my watch, I think its just old age, lol. cheers dave .

 

[Vulpesvulpes]

Old age is when broad minds and narrow waists change over.

 

[Wilbur]

Old age is when a saggy arse looks good,lol

 

[flying felix]

I've never understood why I'm content to sit in a tree hours on end waiting for a deer to walk past, but haven't the patience to fish. I'm a firm believer that fishing is a sport that should be conducted with high explosives.

Have just got my first verifocals but not had a chance to see how they will cope with scope and binos.

 

[levigsp]

My favourite pastime is fishing, carp fishing at that, but my living for a long time was guiding and still is part time.
I used to guide-ghillie people for Salmon, Trout and Deer and wildfowl full time, now I stick to Deer and Wildfowl. I hardly fish for salmon as I find the whole possess both painful and tiresome.
As for Eyesight, I need glasses to read or longer arms and more sunlight, but I still use a 6x42 happily for most applications.

 

[JohnT]

Have just got my first verifocals but not had a chance to see how they will cope with scope and binos.

I would hazard a guess that you will struggle. As one who has worn varifocals for some years, I found it more convenient and effective to remove them and do without (having adjusted binos and 'scope beforehand).

 

[Smelly Yeti]

Not sure what you’re getting at as there is nothing wrong with my eyes..... my arms however seem to be shrinking as I don’t seem to be able to get that hook far enough away to focus!

 

[Heym SR20]

I can see the point of salmon fishing being both painful and tiresome. I always use a single handed rod - much less work than a double handed and yes they are exciting when you have them on the line but I would much rather fish for trout in a clear stream where you can see the fish and stalk them. I always think that a good book is an essential part of any fishing or stalking kit (especially if high seats are involved).

I have solved the problem of high hill lochs - a lightweight paraglider makes the journey back much more fun. Indeed if the conditions are correct you can even fly up to hill lochs.

 

[flying felix]

I would hazard a guess that you will struggle. As one who has worn varifocals for some years, I found it more convenient and effective to remove them and do without (having adjusted binos and 'scope beforehand).

Yep, that's what I'm expecting John, same as my reading glasses. Don't mind getting older (not so much wiser) and slower, but loosing focus at short distances has really ****ed me off.

 

[JohnT]

It really boils down to all the little tricks that you use to compensate for the fact that you just CANNOT SEE CLOSE UP!
Like I said, refocus scope &bins without glasses, mark your scope mags with coloured dots (like ballistic turrets) [not stick-on spots, they fall off just before you need them], etc.
Oh! Don't put your glasses into your pocket unprotected, it can make the drive home very entertaining.
Practice checking the time on your phone so that you don't show a light ('cause you can't see your watch, let alone tell what the time is).

The list gets longer the older you get.

 

[Klenchblaize]

These can help with all but looking through your optics unless you have them fitted with a non reading prescription:

CliC FLEX Magnetic Front Connection Reading Glasses

You'll struggle to lose them.

K

 

[NigelM]

Your OP made me giggle. Precisely at the age of 50 I went from 20:20 vision to having to wear reading glasses. Anything further than 5 ft is still perfect, but the reading thing has really fallen off the cliff. Still annoys the **** out of me but something I guess I will have to get used to.

 

[Odders]

I've spent the past week or so making up new pole rigs for match fishing & despite recently having turned 60. have had no bother at all with line down to 0.06mm & No.13 split shot.










Wonderful things, illuminated desk magnifiers.

 

[flying felix]

It really boils down to all the little tricks that you use to compensate for the fact that you just CANNOT SEE CLOSE UP!
Like I said, refocus scope &bins without glasses, mark your scope mags with coloured dots (like ballistic turrets) [not stick-on spots, they fall off just before you need them], etc.
Oh! Don't put your glasses into your pocket unprotected, it can make the drive home very entertaining.
Practice checking the time on your phone so that you don't show a light ('cause you can't see your watch, let alone tell what the time is).

The list gets longer the older you get.

I modified the sights on my gallery rifle with a paint pen; the sights have to be adjusted for shooting at 25,15 and 10m. a white dot identifies the change in elevation and parallax. I've even thought about replacement lens surgery, but I imagine there's a huge downside they don't tell you about like loss of night vision or you can now see close up but lost distance focus.

 

[Heym SR20]

Your OP made me giggle. Precisely at the age of 50 I went from 20:20 vision to having to wear reading glasses. Anything further than 5 ft is still perfect, but the reading thing has really fallen off the cliff. Still annoys the **** out of me but something I guess I will have to get used to.

50 is still a couple of years away -I think. I have been blessed with better than 20:20 vision but now finding it very frustrating. In good light and if I am not tired can see fine, but if tired anything within 6ft is anybody’s guess.