Family Counseling and the Sporting Life: pop quiz

[Steve]

In an essay of 1500 words or less, tell us which couple is having more fun and why. (Extra credit for identifying the reels.)

[Jim Schottenham]

Steve, that's an easy one. The "couple" having more fun is on the right. With the water behind them, it's clear he's angling, but not for fish. The guy on the left is intent on casting and catching something, while his lady sits waiting to leave and hit the shopping malls. The reels, from what I can see, the guy on the left is fishing a G. Ritter wooden 4 3/4" sidemount, with very old brittle horsehair line. The guy on the right is using a South Bend model 45A, which should interest Jim Madden.
Jim S

[Richard Lodge]

Wait one second there, Jim. You might be jumping to conclusions. I think the couple on the left are consulting about whether the man should tie on a jointed darter or a Roostertail spinner. The woman is telling him she had success in that very spot with a previous boyfriend, although this fellow is a bit dense and is still thinking "plug versus spinner" while she's thinking "spooning versus dumping this guy."
The couple on the left have bigger problems, however, and they are not having any fun at all. The woman, a struggling British author of short fiction from the early 20th century, has writer's block and has been chain-smoking since dawn. Her husband, knowing his wife needs a break from the writer's desk, offered to take her out to the lake where she might be able to clear her head. Wise fellow that he is, he knows that he can get a little pike fishing in while they're outside. He's having fun, she's not.

[Ron Mc]

I've got a 1958 Allcock's catalog photo that I've got to get on this thread...more to follow.

[Teal]

Well Steve now you've gone and done it. I have several of my favorite pics I will try and upload this weekend. Should be very fun.

Dr. Todd

[Ed Clark]

I think I have to go with Jim on this one. The girl on the left looks obviously bored. She's thinking it is much to cold and this is going nowhere. All he wants to do is fish. Now the girl on the right has that look on her face and just whispered something in his ear "I brought a blanket, when we finish these cigarettes why don't we...

[Steve]

Excellent job, everyone. For the record, the facts are these:

The lady on the left is enjoying a puff as she lights another cigarette for her chain-smoking husband, who is furiously battling a 7-ounce dace. The "lady" on the right holds a pistol to the right ear of her husband and murmurs, "If you make one more cast, I'll fire this thing. My %[at]*$##[at] poison ivy is killing me!"

Essays will be graded by Dr. Todd/Teal.

[Ron Mc]

1958 Allcocks Anglers Guide

[Steve]

Great pic, Ron! Hardy Silex, right? The "couple" is having fun by fooling the photographer.

[Ron Mc]

well, you missed the extra credit - it's bound to be an Allcocks Aerialite.
I can just see John Cleese selecting this photo to go with this section heading.

Of course, I'm also glad it's not Cleese and Palin in the pram.

[Steve]

Me, too, but I'd be willing to let Carol Cleveland audition for the shot.

[Ron Mc]

actually, she could could audition for both spots in the pram, as Zoot and Winston Churchill.

[Jim Madden]

Hey, Jim. When the young ORCAn on the right sees that he actually has a 45A, he'll spring up with such over-whelming joy that it'll send the sweet lady catapulting backwards off the log toward the depths. On her way down, she will grab wildly to save herself and snatch the aforementioned rod and reel from the dazed lad who will quickly do the honorable thing. Of course, the gentleman will jump in to save the reel.