03-19-2007, 03:19 PM
Great response. And those guys who think that this fish just isn't worth it, well, let 'em keep thinking that way because there will be more fish for me. Heh Heh. I don't intend to eat them. Just catch them.
Your observations confirm many of my own. When I started intentionally fishing for these guys I figured it would be easy for someone who has been catching trout and bass for a long time. How difficult could it be to catch a trash fish? Well, after getting thoroughly spanked on 6 or 7 trips when I could see many fish in front of me, I had to revise my expectations and punt from my own two yard line. These fish are far spookier than anything else I've ever fished for. Heron-like stalking, pinpoint casting, Jedi reactions, and the ability to endure blank periods and refusals are standard equipment so far in my experience. I'm even thinking that slamming the car door in the parking lot or sneezing at the water's edge are no-no's. I don't want to over complicate it but I'm finding it more complicated that I anticipated.
The reason for my question was to find out if you had discovered a short-cut with the jigs. Apparently not though I'll pursue it further and re-read your post.
This thing is both frustrating and fascinating at the same time. Frustrating when I think I have it figured out and get blanked and fascinating in that when I do everything right and the planets align, I get to enjoy a great ride.
Much of my early problems in catching them last year was that I was fishing in very murky/muddy water. Flyfishing is a visual method. If visibility is limited, results are, too. The other hard part was accessibility. Stalking in the shallows requires room for a backcast or some very artful flipping. Roll casts just send them fading off into deep water. Many places have so many trees and bushes around that you have to sacrifice flies just to get in front of a fish. I had high hopes that tubing would help since it is a stealthy approach, but alas, it seems they're afraid of the tube and the visual angle is greatly reduced when you're low to the water. I haven't given up the idea. I'll be trying again in an area that isn't so closed in as my favorite small lake that is crawling with carp. Spooked carp tend to spook carp, if you know what I mean.
[cool]Or, I may have to give up in defeat and go back to those sickly little five pound trout and bass. <Sigh> Naw!
If you have any additional insight, please pass it along. I can learn. And thanks for your thoughtful and helpful post.
z~
[signature]
Your observations confirm many of my own. When I started intentionally fishing for these guys I figured it would be easy for someone who has been catching trout and bass for a long time. How difficult could it be to catch a trash fish? Well, after getting thoroughly spanked on 6 or 7 trips when I could see many fish in front of me, I had to revise my expectations and punt from my own two yard line. These fish are far spookier than anything else I've ever fished for. Heron-like stalking, pinpoint casting, Jedi reactions, and the ability to endure blank periods and refusals are standard equipment so far in my experience. I'm even thinking that slamming the car door in the parking lot or sneezing at the water's edge are no-no's. I don't want to over complicate it but I'm finding it more complicated that I anticipated.
The reason for my question was to find out if you had discovered a short-cut with the jigs. Apparently not though I'll pursue it further and re-read your post.
This thing is both frustrating and fascinating at the same time. Frustrating when I think I have it figured out and get blanked and fascinating in that when I do everything right and the planets align, I get to enjoy a great ride.
Much of my early problems in catching them last year was that I was fishing in very murky/muddy water. Flyfishing is a visual method. If visibility is limited, results are, too. The other hard part was accessibility. Stalking in the shallows requires room for a backcast or some very artful flipping. Roll casts just send them fading off into deep water. Many places have so many trees and bushes around that you have to sacrifice flies just to get in front of a fish. I had high hopes that tubing would help since it is a stealthy approach, but alas, it seems they're afraid of the tube and the visual angle is greatly reduced when you're low to the water. I haven't given up the idea. I'll be trying again in an area that isn't so closed in as my favorite small lake that is crawling with carp. Spooked carp tend to spook carp, if you know what I mean.
[cool]Or, I may have to give up in defeat and go back to those sickly little five pound trout and bass. <Sigh> Naw!
If you have any additional insight, please pass it along. I can learn. And thanks for your thoughtful and helpful post.
z~
[signature]