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How good is a fishing report? A fishing report is, unfortunately,
only as good as the angler giving the report, and only for the
exact time that the angler was there. Add the variable of how good
is that angler, weather, traffic and all the other small excuses
we make and the possibilities start to look like the odds on winning
the lottery.
Don't Ask
A couple of years ago we were at a company outing at a popular
lake south of Francois. The lake is known for its abundant and
willing rainbows. The rainbows are not big, averaging 30-35 centimeters
(12-14 inches). As we were ready to leave the dock I noticed an
old timer, also just heading out. I asked him how the fishing had
been. Big mistake. Sometimes you shouldn’t ask. “I
have been here for three days, worst fishing I have had here in
twenty years. I don’t know what has happened to them. If
it doesn’t get better today I’m leaving.”
I looked at his tackle. He was using a 9-foot salmon rod with a
huge spinning reel and line that looked to be 30-40# test attached
to a gang troll that was 6 feet long. I said, “That looks
to be awfully big tackle for these little rainbows. What pound
test is your line?”
“
I use 30# line. I don’t like to lose tackle.”
I almost said “You don’t like to catch fish either.” but
I figured he had enough trouble. We put out on the lake on a down
note hoping that this guy’s woes wouldn’t rub off on
us.
At noon we came in for lunch. The old timer was at the dock. Again,
against my better judgement I asked, “How was your luck?”
“
Terrible. Worst I’ve seen. I’m outta here. How did
you do?”
My reply stuck in my throat and all I could say was “Yeah,
pretty slow for us too.”
I couldn’t tell him we had released 32 fish that morning
on very light tackle.
Two different reports. Same lake, same day.
Liars
As much as we are individuals so are our realities and perceptions.
I’m not saying anglers lie although an old fella once told
me “All anglers are liars except you and me” then,
with a long pause and twinkling eyes finished up with “And
I’m not so sure about you.”
It’s not that we lie, we just see things differently. It’s
like the police interviewing the crime scene. The robber was 6’ 4” with
brown hair. The next eyewitness says he was 5’9” and
blond. Anglers may stretch the truth just a little and there may
be more long nosed Pinocchio’s in this sport than any other
sport.
Over coffee last weekend one of my buddies was describing a past
fishing trip. It sounded great. I would like to try that spot and
then I realized I had been on that trip. We just had different
realities.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE for
your convenience)
Bob's
Weekly Fishing
Report is back.
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A fishing
report is current only for the time the reportee was there. Fishing
my favorite river I hit one of the most memorable days I had ever
experienced. This river can have some wondrous stonefly hatches,
and we have been there for many of them. I was there midweek and
the Western Green Drakes were hatching. The river looked like boiling
water with huge rainbows rising with reckless abandon everywhere.
Even I was becoming unglued. Bigger and bigger fish kept showing
themselves and for about three hours there were no refusals. Drained
and weak from too much adrenaline it finally ended. I couldn’t
wait to tell Dave. The phone call late that night got him out of
bed. “Dave, it was the most incredible hatch you have ever
seen. You have to fish tomorrow.”
“
I can’t. I’m finishing a house tomorrow. I’ll go
Thursday.”
You guessed it. Thursday showed maybe a half dozen Green Drakes.
My name was mud and the trip home came with the inevitable and frequent
moan. “And I took a day off work for this?”
Hot spot
We have all been on the wild goose chases to some new and secret
hot spot. We have arrived to find the lake was fished out last
year, the road has been deactivated, the river is high, the road
impassable, the bridge is out, the map is….. Well you know
the answer to that one. One of my buddy’s favorite lines
says “He has never been lost but he has seen some awfully
screwed up maps in his days.
The fishing report is pertinent for water conditions, especially
on the rivers. Fishing when the salmon are in the river is good.
Fishing when the river is open is preferred. Trying a new spot
takes some time to learn, where the run is, or the snags, where
the fish lie. There is a lot of truth in the Zen book on fishing. “Grasshopper,
the best place to go fishing is the place you know the best.”
Today’s tip:
Many anglers use roe where legal. Your hands spread this roe on
your rod and reel where bacteria attack the roe. Fish have very
good noses for certain odors. Recent studies have shown these bacteria
are offensive to fish. Make sure your rod and reel are spotless
before you start the season. Simple Green or a similar cleaner
will remove these bacteria. Hands should be kept clean with a biodegradable
soap and avoid gasoline, insect repellent etc.
Let us know your thoughts. Email
me and
give us some input.
Check for new photos on the Photo
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