The website from whence I obtained that info momentarily distracted me. I suddenly found myself reading a couple other predictions. The first was that, by 2065, longevity treatments will be available to halt aging (just my luck--I won't be around then). Supposedly, the costs will be low enough for the average person to be able to afford them. Supporting data goes on to explain that while it only was possible to extend the human lifespan by two months per year in 2010, it will be possible to extend the lifespan 12 months per year in 2065--all thanks to major advances in the use of stem cells, gene therapy, nanotechnology, and other techniques. Ever smaller and more sophisticated devices will be gaining the ability to scan, identify and treat the most elusive of defects, with tiny robots going directly inside cells to perform surgery. Cost reductions, made possible by the exponential growth of information technology, will be enabling the vast majority of people to benefit from these procedures. As with many previous medical breakthroughs, debates will continue raging over the ethics and implications of defeating aging, but there will be generally strong support from the public.
And secondly, much to what I know will be the delight of many working professional women across America, there was a prediction that, by 2067, male and female salaries finally will be reaching parity. Women will be playing a greater role in both business and government than ever before. There will have been one consequence, though: a significant reduction in military spending. The money and resources saved will be diverting to education, healthcare, transport and environmental programs, and improving the living standards and opportunities for many. With less male aggression in world affairs, more balanced and rational discourse will be taking place on international issues. The world of capitalism also will be undergoing some of the biggest changes in history, with less pursuit of short-term profits and a greater emphasis on long-term sustainability.
"A triangle isn't practical for rolling rod blanks, but the shape I have come up with--a unique piece of geometry called a curve of constant width--is perfect for fishing-rod manufacture," he explained. "The D-Flex cross-section reduces stress loading, making casting control easier, more accurate, and significantly more powerful, and can be used to make rods for fly fishing, spinning, waggler fishing (float or bobber fishing, for those who don't already know), distance casting, and even pole fishing."
D-Flex is not the first rod-blank design different from the norm. In 2007, Shimano launched its "Aerocast" rod, based on oval-blank technology that provided a stiffer casting action and a softer fish-playing bend.
According to Tricast, a leading carbon-fiber manufacturer, the new D-Flex concept has merit. "We looked at triangular blanks about 15 years ago and concluded that they would be best served in a fly rod," said the Tricast sales and marketing director. "When it comes to this D-Flex design, we felt it would be most suitable to a salmon fly."
Some folks, however, question how expensive the D-Flex rod mandrels (the steel tubes that carbon-fiber sheets are wrapped around to make rod blanks) will be to manufacture. As Daiwa's marketing manager explained, "We developed a curved carbon stick, and it was a nightmare to make, using standard technology."
Rather than manufacture his own new rod, Dr. Underwood wants to license the new design concept to any major rod manufacturers who think it might help them secure a larger share of the $5 billion-a-year global market. As a result, he keeps a briefcase packed and is ready to travel the world at a moment's notice.
Last but not least, I found an item detailing what one red-blooded American fisherman (thanks, IAF) saw when he gazed into his crystal ball and asked it for some revelations as to what the various aspects of the whole bass-fishing industry will look like in the year 2050. Here are the results.
Boat Ramps
There won't be any. Instead, according to his thinking, you'll pull your trailer out onto a three-story, barge-type machine with individual cell-like spaces, resembling a parking garage. You'll then unhook the boat, push a button, the cells will fill up, then the boat is lowered into your individual cell. You subsequently go park your truck, walk back to your boat, and get in. The whole barge then sinks, and 20 boats at a time are launched from the first floor. The barge then sinks some more for the boats on the second floor to launch...same procedure for those on the third floor. Instead of a boathouse, you have a boat condominium.
All boats will be jet-propelled. They'll burn clean and quiet, and you'll be able to run for three days on a tank full of a clean super fuel. There will be no wet-cell batteries. All power for engines and trolling motors will come from a regenerating power source in the boat. It will get kinetic energy from the motion of the boat and solar power. Livewells will be temperature-, PH- and O2-controlled and automatically will self-adjust to keep the fish in a peek comfort zone. The livewells will have a bladder in them, so that at weigh-in, you'll just pull the bladder out with the fish in it and carry it to the scales. The boats will have hull bottoms that can be adjusted like trim tabs on motor yachts... deeper Vs can be extended when you're out on the main lake... hit a button and it will flatten out for shallow-water fishing. There'll be no more fishfinders; everything will be live digital-camera images from the bottom of the boat. You'll be able to zoom in or out, and the display will tell you the bottom composition, temperature, etc.
Tackle
Reels will be made to fit your individual palm signature. You'll go buy your reel, and they will put your hand in a mold, then pour the reel into the mold, and it will fit your hand perfectly. Everything will be made from super lightweight and strong metals.
The rods then will be made to be perfectly balanced with your reel. They will be made from graphite/kevlar strands that are light, yet won't break, bulletproof, etc. They won't snap when you drop a lid or tailgate on them.
Line
You won't have choices among mono, braid, fluoro, copolys, etc. There will be one superline that has all the characteristics needed in a fishing line. All you'll have to do is pick your diameter.
Eyewear
You no longer will have to wear bulky polarized sunglasses. Instead, you will put some drops in your eyes before you go out, and they will protect your eyes from UV rays and polarize your vision for up to 12 hours before wearing off.
Lures
It still will be fun to shop, and you'll still buy more than you'll ever use. However, 99 percent of it will be bought online. Most of it will come with a real-life sub-surface Internet demonstration of its fish-catching abilities, using different techniques.
The Fish
Due to the efforts of biologists, genetic engineering, and improved fish-management programs, world-record bass will be caught regularly from waters all across America.
Just how much of a visionary this fisherman, or those others mentioned here, turns out to be is anyone's guess. One thing is certain, though; only generations younger than mine ever will know for sure--unless, that is, I maybe decide to gamble on cryonics. You know, have 'em freeze me when I'm legally dead--not brain dead, thaw me out in 2065, tune me up with all the latest advances at that time, and then turn me loose to chase bass again. Wow! How great that "could" be! However, I've never been much of a gambler, so it'll likely just remain a distant thought.
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