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Hollywood often swings and misses when it comes to presenting fishing in a context that most anglers would acknowledge is fair and accurate, but on those occasions when the director and actors get it right, it can be a home run.
"Grumpy Old Men," for example, hit it out of the park as Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon - Max Goldman and John Gustafson, respectively, in the flick - portrayed the 50-year rivalry of neighbors who agreed on practically nothing, including who was the better fishermen.
Trash talk dominated the dialogue throughout the movie. The tone and tenor of the grumpy old men - bragging and insulting - bubbles up in relationships among anglers worldwide, including longtime fishing buddies Paul Shultz and Joe Hierro.
The Boardman residents share many wonderful memories on lakes throughout the Youngstown-Warren area.
Paul and son Brad enjoy competing as a team in the annual Muransky Companies Bass Classic benefiting the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. They'll be in the field again this year on Evans Lake in the June 4 United Way fundraiser, but Paul will be on the water before and after with pal Joe as often as they can get together.
"My most cherished moments are with my best fishing buddy, Joe," Paul said. "Any time we can spend fishing together is priceless."
Joe and Paul have a bunch of preferred fishing holes they've learned over years of experience in working together.
The fishing is one thing. The razzing is quite another.
"We are developing into 'Grumpy Old Men,' as we like to razz each other," Paul said. "We often fish Berlin Reservoir for crappies and bluegills, either in my boat or from shore in the fall when they draw down the lake."
Autumn also is the season when they can hit the boat docks at Mosquito Lake State Park's marina for the excellent crappie, bluegill and perch fishing.
Their razzing extends to the ice fishing Paul and Joe enjoy together, though they haven't resorted to the ultimate Grumpy Old Men practical jokes like leaving dead fish in the other's car or dragging a shanty out on thin ice.
"Joe and I have been ice fishing for many years. I had a great fall season of crappie fishing at Berlin, with a few trips resulting in limit catches for the freezer."
Like all anglers weathering the long Northeast Ohio winter, Paul will be ready for fishing again with Joe in the spring.
"I'm looking forward to what the new year brings - hopefully good health and good fishing," he said.
It's a good bet their adventures will be punctuated with a lot of the spirited razzing they have learned right along with their success at catching fish.
Jack Wollitz's book, "The Common Angler," explores the thrills and chills that make fishing fun. He likes emails from readers. Send a note to jackbbaass@gmail.com.