Sometimes the 'Wrong' idea is the RIGHT one!
Creating the 'wrong' ideas
As fly anglers and tyers, we’re constantly in pursuit of perfection – the perfect pattern, the perfect presentation, the perfect cast. But what if I told you that sometimes, the key to unlocking creativity lies not in seeking the right answers, but in exploring the wrong ones?
In the world of brainstorming, there’s a technique known as “reverse brainstorming”, where instead of generating ideas that are likely to succeed, we deliberately seek out ideas that are flawed, impractical, or absurd.
How about sunken grasshoppers, wrong color mayflies, clustered caddis, or a giant midge?? Well besides the fact I might actually fish a midge more often if they were bigger, these and many other unique flies came about from someone likely doing reverse brainstorming.
The concept of wrong thinking is rooted in the idea
that constraints can become powerful catalysts for creativity. Take the sunken
grasshopper. Why is it that when we think about a grasshopper we think about it
as a dry fly? Well probably because that’s where we see most of them, alive and
sitting on top of the water… but who is to say that there haven’t been a few
that get swept under and eaten by a fish deep in the next run?
Give it a try! The next time you are sitting at your fly bench and think of the seemingly worst possible combination, dwell on the idea for a minute, then ask how you might just be able to make it work! With a little practice you might just have your new favorite fly.
Looking for your next ‘wrong’ idea? Give our Idea Generator a try! All you have to do is choose your inputs and click the “Generate” button. Do it a few times and you will be sure to get back a ‘wrong’ idea or two!
Try the Idea Generator for Your Next 'Wrong' Idea!
Overboard Hopper
