I couldn't stand it anymore and tried a local river today. My expectations were low and a quote from John Gierach stuck in my mind.
"I like everything about fly fishing, but especially this walk in before you've even tied on a fly. You never know what to expect-and in winter you don't expect much-but the goal of going fishing has already been accomplished, so the rest is aimless, doglike happiness of being outside and off your leash."
~ John Gierach
~ John Gierach
My hope was that the crappie would start staging. We've had a couple warm days in a row but the crunchy ice still lined the banks. It's still too early and no matter how much I wanted to change time I was going to have to wait. The fish just weren't there.
I'm going to try for trout tomorrow. Can't stand waiting around anymore. Probably going to get skinned but like you - I had try.
ReplyDeleteKevin, hail to you for getting out and giving it a shot. I have not taken the opportunity to do that yet. Been tying some flies up for the Bluegill and Crappie out my way. Looking forward to follow up posts sharing some success on your end.
ReplyDeleteI have to get out at least once every 2 weeks or I go stir crazy. I'm going to fish this place quite a bit this year so stay tuned. There should be stories of owls, bowfin, gar, and plenty more.
DeleteSorry to hear that today wasn't your day. I only got 2 at the spot I texted you about. It gets hammered pretty hard frequently by the 'bucket people'. You can see dead minnows in the weeds and discarded candy wrappers. It can get ugly so I'm hunting out less crowded locations but the timing isn't right yet. The place a bit over a mile downstream from there had crappie last year but they weren' t there this morning. I'll keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteI just need to fish that area more. I haven't given it a good chance to see what it offers.
DeleteSkunked not skinned - geeze this auto correct gets on my nerves. Anyway - Hope to see you at the RDU nc FFS next month. I'm looking at hitting it on Friday.
ReplyDeleteHey Joel, I'll be there but on Sat. I hope you have fun if I miss you.
DeleteI'm impressed that you got out at all. This Polar Vortex crap has pretty well ruined any chance I've had for fishing lately. Spring will be here before we know it though.
ReplyDeleteIt's really weird. We'll be freezing for 4 days then get 2 days in the 50's.
DeleteCold enough to freeze over and prevent fishing, but not cold enough to ice fish.... Happens every year here in VA! I managed to chop a hole in the ice and catch 6 stocked rainbows in a local stream.
DeleteKevin
ReplyDeleteI think all of us fly fisherman are chopping at the bits to get out on the water and wet a fly or two, but the weather has been so crazy this year that it may be a while before any real fishing occurs, even in the south. Personally I can't wait to get back on the water, but as is the case extreme cold fronts and heavy generation has pretty much kept me inside.
I know what you mean Bill. There's possibly 4 inches of snow coming to Raleigh this Wed which is a lot for us.
DeleteI never get tired of catching bluegills and crappie, In my opinion they're the funnest fish to catch. Although small feather jigs are not my cup o' tea when it comes to crappie, I do a few combinations similar to the ones, here: http://hummingbirdfishfinderreviews.com/how-to-catch-crappie-tackle-for-crappie.
ReplyDeleteI've fished a few times at a local warm water discharge for like 30 mins to an hour at a time, but I need some fishing where the fish aren't stacked and waiting like that. It was like shooting fish in a barrel.
ReplyDeleteLove that quote by the way. I feel that same exact way!