Combat fishing goes digital

I’ve got an idea for a video game. The game has danger, lack of respect, nastiness, cussing, possible fighting and, for a better rating, I might throw in some sex. The fact I don’t play video games means I pretty much don’t know what I’m talking about.

I got the idea for the game watching anglers casting for Chinook salmon on the Vedder River in British Columbia. At least two dozen fishermen were lined up, shoulder-to-shoulder, on both sides of a hole not much larger than a decent-sized living room.

The name of the game is Combat Fishing. First, you pick a river where fish are concentrated. Good choices include coastal streams and the Flathead River during the lake whitefish run.

Participants then select a specific fishing hole. Holes nearer the truck score higher points due to easier access. Highest points are scored if Bubba can waddle to the hole.

Next, squeeze in line so you almost touch the next person. Highest points are scored by moving into the footprints of some guy who moved so he could land a fish. Bonus points are awarded by pretending not to be able to understand the guy as he threatens to rip your lips off for moving into his spot.

Casting offers opportunities to score points, especially when your bait lands three feet in front of some guy on the other side of the hole. Crossing lines and constantly changing your drift pattern so you snag more lines scores points.

Bonus points are also awarded when you pull in another angler’s line, cut off the lure and keep it. (This happened to me off Woods Bay Point in Flathead Lake.) In advanced editions, the strategy is to snag everyone else’s line. The goal is to be the last angler standing.

Obviously I’ve still got some details to work out before Combat Fishing goes on sale during next year’s Black Friday.

Note: About a quarter mile downstream from the combat fishing on the Vedder River, an elderly Asian angler with a very kind face told me, “Stay away from the combat fishing. It’s a great way to ruin your day.”