Are You a Bum? Take the Test

Achieving Bum Status: The Journey
There’s levels to this- fly fishing lifestyle--and for those of us who have been fishing for more than say... 3 months, one of the most coveted titles/personas you can achieve as a fly fisher is that of "the bum."

The bum is an elusive character, full of mystique and an almost wild abandon.
The Test of the Bums

If it’s 20 below outside, and there are a couple feet of snow on the water AND YOU STILL agree with 9 out of the following 11 bullet points-

You’re well on your way to achieving bum status.

1. The roads are probably too bad to get 5 miles to work...but just good enough to get 30 miles to the Missouri.

2.  People think you are more hardcore for fishing in the snow (image booster), but in reality, you know no one else is on the river and some of your best days are when it snows.

3. Not needing sunscreen is a good thing.

4. You actually have a use for your fancy Simms apparel.

5. Now there is a REASON to pack your hot chocolate and....?

6. You like when it's too cold to bother with anything other than big junky streamers... 5x is useless.

7. If someone asks if you've been "out in this weather" and laughs... you can say, with a straight face, "Yes."

8. Nobody in your crew questions why there's a 12 gauge in the rower’s lap.

9. You know what it looks like when the evening hatch starts at 3 o'clock.

10. You don't have to wake up before 10... and you still won't see anyone on the water.

11. You know when it's nasty out, the fishin' rocks...especially on the Mo.