Dialysis and Bragging Rights

So I am a nurse. Three days work, four days play- enough said. But anyway, I was pulled into a co-worker's room last night to learn a new kind of dialysis. I almost couldn't contain myself when I saw one the key components to this life-saving treatment was a.... FISH SCALE- an awesome, top-of-the-line, fish scale. Really?!?

The first year we were married I was last minute Christmas shopping for Clay (one of the best things about being married to an outdoorsy guy- there is never a shortage of things he wants, I just go into Academy or Cabela's and done!) Well this particular time I veered into one of the many fishing aisles and got a fish scale at the bargain price of $5. A scale is a scale is a scale, right? He will never know...

WRONG! DISCLAIMER: If you learn one thing from reading this- fishing is ALL about bragging rights! You never hear about a fishing trip without hearing who caught the most fish, the biggest fish, the most rare fish, etc.

Well the particular fishing trip after Clay accumulated this lovely Christmas scale, he caught a big fish, huge 'apparently'. When he went to hang it on his new, shiny scale and bask in the glory of his catch in front of his crew- the scale broke, wire snapped, no back-up. I still hear about this illustrious catch that got away, un-weighed (aka un-braggable) and his almost infamy among his fishing buddies. Upon arriving to home sweet home, he inquired about his xmas gift and was oh-so-kind to educate me in fish scale importance and consumerism. Just in case you have a 'Fishin' Frank' in your life here's what I learned:

• There are 2 types of scales- spring and digital
• Spring is a hook attached to a lever- the weight of fish pulls down on hook to measure weight
• Digital is same principal but calculates weight for you
• Digital scales are often more expensive but not any better. In fact, some digital scales are not waterproof and may require batteries. A "dead" fish scale is no different than not having one at all. Remember- all about the bragging rights!
• Better to get one with a handle so if the fish is flopping your scale doesn't go flying
• Unless we are taking about deep sea fishing, you probably don't want a scale that will weigh fish greater than 50 lbs, they get less accurate the more potential weight they can measure
• The reason spring scales vary in cost is the length of time the lever will stay accurate and strength of wire (ex. the more times the lever/wire is pulled may not retract fully and weight not accurate or as evidenced above- may snap)
• Make sure you purchase a scale with rust resistant aluminum
• Most importantly- don't shave a few bucks here!

Ironically, after the whole 'spring scale is better thing' Clay ended up with the above Rapala Scale- digital. About $30. He is adorably obsessed with all that is Rapala...