Now I’m Seeing Things

For those of you who fish rivers you will be able to relate to this. Picture walking between spots on a river. Normally, I’ll get out and walk the edges where the rocks, stones, and gravel accumulate. That way I don’t disturb the water, and it’s quicker than wading. But, one thing I’ve learned is to watch where I’m walking. If I don’t look down I’m stumbling over the uneven surfaces. For whatever reason, I’m starting to see patterns and odd shapes on the ground. Then I saw the state of California last week, Time for a shrink? I’m not so sure.

I noticed a stone along the Grand River and it looked like California. The stone had that rounded, jagged edge where it meets the Pacific Ocean. And it had that straight, sharp angle where it borders Nevada. I didn’t think much more of it as I continued to walk downstream. What I didn’t realize was I started to really look at all the stones. Now I’m obsessed with finding all 50 states. And wouldn’t you know it the very next outing produced two more states.

Walking the same stretch of the Grand this past Monday, I’m looking down and spot Florida (minus the keys) and Nevada. What’s unbelievable is they were only 3’ apart. I had to pick up the stones and start documenting the finds. Oh how I wish I would have picked up California.

Florida, minus the keys.

(Click on image for larger view.) 

Nevada. If you look close you can see Las Vegas at the bottom.

Now, when the fishing is slow I can look at the stones. A hobby within a hobby. Maybe I do need a shrink.

Go out and fool a fish!

Sometimes I’m My Worst Enemy

If it wasn’t for me getting in my own way I’d catch a few more fish. As an example, the other day I got out to the Grand River early to grab a good spot, and swing a streamer in search of chrome. You know the process, cast, swing, step, repeat. Unless you catch a good pool stacked with steelhead, swinging a streamer usually isn’t a big numbers game. I’m happy for a fish or two. So, when the day is slow, one strike could make the difference.

As it turned out, this day was very slow. I worked several runs and pools and couldn’t buy a strike. Then I made a cast toward a downed tree in about 4’ of water. After a good mend, the streamer started to swing across the current. At this time I noticed a huge flock of starlings flying overhead. With the color in the trees already making a good autumn photograph, watching the starlings fly over against the sky was an added bonus. Just as I turned around to look at the remaining birds I got the strike I was waiting for. Unfortunately, my mind was elsewhere, and by the time I made a hookset it was too late. An expletive echoed across the water, followed by that inner voice, “you suck”. What really sucked was that ended up being the only strike of the day.

The colors were too much for me to ignore Unfortunately, my only strike came at

a time when I was soaking in the view, not watching the water..

The worst part of this is I’ve done this more times than I care to remember. When it happens, it is usually the first cast when I’m just getting settled in or after an hour or two with no action. The sad thing is I’m aware of my tendency to brain freeze, but still get in my own way.

But it’s time to turn this into a positive. Some fishermen have a go to fly or lure when things are slow. Me, I’m going to turn off the brain, make a cast, look to the sky, and then quickly look back to the line, and set the hook. Doing this a few times will either catch a fish, or give me a case of vertigo.

Go out and fool a fish!