The Toughest Part of Fishing?

[Deleted User]

I'd like to find out how common this is among serious fishermen that can only go a couple times a week. In talking to other fishers over the years and from what I've experienced, the toughest part of fishing in marginal times like the present is deciding if any given opportunity is a good enough prospect to put off things that need getting done, like work for example, to fish or not. Or when your low back is "out" or something. It's tough to decide sometimes! And then secondary to that the decision of where to fish if you don't have a clearcut prospect that's putting out fish. How many times have you sat on the fence and decided not to go and regretted it? Conversely, how often in that situation have you gone and regretted going? For me the regret has more often come when I haven't gone. Only on few occassions do I regret having gone, even when the fishing was skunks for all in sight. It usually takes that and nasty weather combined to make me wish I hadn't gone. It's just good to get out there. So why do we often stress with "the decision"? I don't really know but I go thru it often during any given fishing season in recent years. I rarely did when I was younger and fishing was a little more of a thrill. How common is this? - RT

[Scarecrow]

RT, Appreciate the thought provoking topic. I hear you on the decisions, decisions, decisions thing! There have been many times "important" things have gotten in the way of fishing. Things that in my younger days had to wait till the fishing appetite was satisfied or at lease slackened. In thinking about it now it seems there were very few times that, once I made the decision to go, I did not enjoy it, no matter what the catch result was. This year has been a good one for getting out and just being alive! Not many fish caught, but success has not been measured by the catch ratio. Different from years ago when it was a bust if I went and came home empty handed. Now that I'm older I seem to enjoy each trip more, regardless of the catch. Of course the catch is still the main reason I go, but just going, that's reason enough in itself.

Thanks again for posting this topic, it got me thinking about times I had a choice and went fishing and was glad I had made the right decision.

BTW, Steve, you do a good job here on the BB. Thank you, I know it's tough to know just what frame of mind a person is in by reading a post sometimes. All in all, you handle it well. Keep up the good work. We ALL appreciate it!

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Bob G.

[WaterDog]

I have only regreted going if the weather was shag-nasty. I always regret not going if I choose to stay home or do something else even when its something that REALLY needs to be done like yard work or a mandatory family outting (MFO). I don't know about the rest of you, but if I have a day off and I'm not on the water I always think I should be. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I haven't put many fish in the boat this year either but I've had more fun this year than in years past. I think that's because of this site. The learning curve has been greatly reduced. Thanks to all and especially RT! http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

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EAT, SLEEP, FISH!

[drifter]

RT - thanks for the post. Very timely for me. I have not missed "opening" day on the Trask River, bank fishing for Nook, in the past 15 years. But, just started a business and am working 11 hour days, 7 days a week. I still watch the river levels religiously. Maybe, the rain will come this weekend. I have (almost) been glad it hasn't come yet.
It was good to hear your thoughts and that you have seldom regretted the decision to go fishing. I don't have the time to fish, BUT I'm not sure I can pass up the first "green water" after the rain. Thanks, drifter.

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

The 2 hardest things about fishing for me is getting up in the morning. I always get up, but dang, is it ever hard. I have weekends off, and usually wake up between 4-5 every day, so sometimes my body just wants to sleep in til 7 or 8 on the weekends. But also, I get so excited about going fishing on Saturdays, that I drink too much on Friday nights, so I have a *******' headache right when I wake up in the morning, but I still go! The other thing is not having a vehicle as of yet, so I am depended on my brother, and my dad. Dad sucks at fishing, and little brother can't always go due to work. My friend Ryan isn't reliable enough to wake up in the mornings, plus he's bad luck. I never regret going fishing, at least not out here (pac nw). It's too beautiful out here to not be glad that you got out and got off your @ss. Besides, the days that you don't catch fish...blame it on "product testing".

[STRIKE ZONE]

I think every sports fisher person has experienced this situation at least once or
twice. I'm not regreting catching all those
sockeye this summer in lake washington,that
fishery basicly controled my life for two
weeks putting off everything including family.And I'm not regreting the great ocean
trips this year that caused problems at home.
Due to the low water to much water I've been
dealing with this fall I have done just what
this post was about wondering whether I should go or not go.But due to great success
early this season it's all good.It's not over
yet, there's still ELK RIVER???????
Good luck, STRIKE ZONE

[Pilar]

I look at it as my religion. Literally. No one has to make excuses to go to church. I make no excuses to go to the church of the bent rod. I'm for everyone else all week, but don't mess with my time on the water. All that know me accept this and even celebrate it.

The hard part is getting free for your day or days. With that behind you, there are many opportunities available at all times of the year. The running joke in my family is "the season's almost over". This is always answered with 'Yes, this season is almost over and then the next season begins.'

That's the really cool thing about this board. There is no shortage of interesting ideas about where to get bit or what people are thinking about. I try not to plan ahead. I wait until the day before and look at weather, river levels and fishing reports. Pick the best prospect and go! See you at church............

The bend is your friend!

[Bait O' Eggs]

I blame all of you. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif You talk all this fishing and it gets my juices pumping. It isnt a matter of wanting to fish, I have to fish. Ever seen an alcoholic with a drink in front of him, needing that fix. That is me thinking of holding my fishing pole. Hard to explain the need to someone who doesnt understand. My wife is one of those that doesnt understand. This web site is addictive and I find myself hitting it more and more often. Soon I will have my eyes pop out of my head and hit the monitor. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Maybe counseling is needed, if only I didnt have to go fishing I could make the appointment. I have fished more this year than the last several, because of ifish.

On a more serious note this is a timely subject for me. My wife is getting upset with all the fishing I have been doing and I am regretting not spending more time with the wife and kids. The decesion to fish is most regreted when I get home and the kids are in bed and I didnt get to spend as much time with them as I wish I could. The fish will always be there I hope, the kids wont. Very hard to find a balance that works.

It was recently put to me, that if I dont stay home more often the wife will own the poles and the boat, and I wont be fishing at all. I will be able to get my information from www.iuse2fish.net (http://www.iuse2fish.net)

Other than that where is the bite? I am starting to shake again. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[WaterDog]

Pilar,

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!!

[happybrew]

I can safely say I don't ever regret going fishing, however I have agonized over the decision of where to go. If it were possible, I'd fish them all at once, however, barring advances in cloning, that's not possible. Like everyone else, I want to maximize my enjoyment. While fishing is preferable to not fishing, catching is much more preferable to not not catching. I've never heard anyone say "Even though I caught all those fish, I had a good day fishing anyway." It's always the other way around. So of course I want to go to the best spot available. But you make your best guess and go with it. If you're wrong, you learn from it.


BOE- Take your kids with you!

Pilar- If you attend the Church of the Bent Rod, and you catch a lot of fish, would that make you a holy man? Would that make RT the Reverend RT? How about Sister Jennie of the Holy Order of Divine Salmon?

happybrew

[letsfish]

Wow! What a good topic and BO'E you hit a homer with some of your comments.I have a few thoughts:
>Who hasn't finally got a chance to fish and find yourself out there praising God for His creation and saying "man,I HAVE to do this more often!"(and that's before you catch a fish!)
>If you do have family, remember they are the proirity.If at all possible involve the kids and spouse with fishing.Make it a point to do days where just you and one of the kids go fishing(just balance it out).It's alot more fun if the whole family can enjoy the sport.
>We can always JUSTIFY the need to go fishing but, in light of others need for us,do we have a good REASON.
>Bring back "treasures"-a smooth rock, a misshapened piece of driftwood, a feather,a bone -something that that the kids might find special.The kids know they are special to you if you have been thinking about them while having a time by yourself.
>Go for the right reasons not because it has been a pattern in past years.You will enjoy it more. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Jim

[Luvtofish]

I fish any chance I can get. Your right about taking kids. Mine are almost grown , but I have taken them for many years. My youngest gets me out at times I might not otherwise think of going. Im always so glad I did when I go. I also bring back special things I find while out. I have a rock I picked up on the Wilson River 19 years ago while fishing for Salmon. This site takes up my lunch every day at work, it sometimes makes me feel like Im almost fishing, and gets me itching to go on the weekends. Anytime spent fishing is a goodtime, it has made my boys and myself have a very close relationship in many other ways as well. I have learned more here in the last few months then I could have any other way and it is much appreciated.

[Pilar]

Yes, take the wife and kids. Just like church. Do something entertaining like a clam dig, crabbin trip or sturgeon boogie. Skip the salmon trolling, hours of no action will kill their enthusiasm.

My partner and I went on a fishing trip on our first date. She has gone deer and bear hunting, chanterelle picking, diving and other strange and wonderful places with me. She just doesn't have the same insatiable appetite as me. We have an agreement, I am for them 6 days a week, on the seventh day I fish.

B.O.E don't despair bro..... Give your family some of your time, they need you. Then you can go back to the river you love again.

Happy Brew, No we don't morally sanction or deify. We're just having fun and taking in the sights and sounds of the natural world.

By the way, you can join C.O.B.R. Just write to Johnboy, PO Box 90176 Portland, OR 97290. In 25 words or less describe why you should be allowed to join. Don't mail any fish or tackle.

Can I get an Amen, brothers and sisters?

The bend is your friend!

[newt]

"The decision" is something anyone who seriously fishes has to endure.

The family comments are true and hit home with me. My addiction/dedication to the sport has cost me a few girlfriends and most recently my only marriage (though there were more serious issues involved, my fishing played into it). It's what I do. Selfish? Perhaps. But I also know I need it as much as anything in life.....keeps me sane in an increasingly hectic world. I understand it has hurt others (time spent on the water) but I'm not necessarily apologizing either.

Cripes, I could have been led down the road to booze, smoking and other bad habits. Fishing doesn't do to me what those other vices could do and I'm thankful I chose this path.

On a related topic to "the decision" of whether or not to even go is what pace to set once on the water when conditions are crowded.

I still struggle with the urge to "get in front" -vs- just fishing the water and forgetting about the people. Yes, I catch fish but I also have fish caught behind me every year because I rush through a hole. Drives me nuts but I know I only have myself to blame. Interestingly, I am occasionally starting to fish mid-morning a couple hours behind the fleet. Usually just to go for an informal float or to play around with new gear. But!to my surprise, I sometimes have better fishing than the pre-dawn drag race to first water.

Decisions. Decisions.

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Fishing is not a replacement for church in my eyes, but yet still a very spiritual feeling to me because it is just one of the many things in my life that I no longer will ever take for granted. I think about the people who dislike fishing, and those who weren't blessed with all the beautiful scenery all around. Hey BOE or whomever said they have never heard someone say that even though they caught all those fish, they still had a good day of fishing. I quote unquote said all those words this past Sunday. Even though I caught 3 kings, 2 silvers, and 1 rainbow, I still said that I had a great day of fishing. Mainly because I was with my younger brother. Catching the fish is just the added bonus. But passing on a legacy is truely divine when the person you pass it on to has the same appreciation that you have. Yes, my true identity is the Rev. Fishy Jackson, can I get an Amen from the congregation? Preach on, Brotha Pilar.

[Deleted User]

Roy, I used to fish dawn to dusk every chance I had. Since I've shortened the fishing day a little I've found it both more in balance with family and also tires me out less. It's a good compromise and still provides plenty of fishing. .........
'Yall, I noticed in your profile that you are an exotic dancer. Now we find out your 'real' identity is a Rev. Jackson! I figure you may come from a line of Southern Televangelists? http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif And how about that Os, his last name is Jackson! http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I'm hearing the Twilight Zone theme song on that one http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif. You got family from down south Os?

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Know fish or no fish. - RT

[steelie67]

I dont think I've ever regretted going fishing . Maybe some of the fishing partners !! Im lucky that my wife puts up with all the fishing that I do . She did get a little ****** this spring , I was fishing every morning before work driving 70 miles round trip to the Deschutes . It wasnt the fishing she was mad at , it was the $100 a week gas bill . Its just hard for me NOT TO GO when you know your going to hook fish .. I dont know about you guys , but when I'm fishing time just flys bye .

[Osprey]

Rt...relatives down south,it must be that cousin-uncle-brother thing again....yes I hear the twightzone music in the background http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

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Row quietly and fish a Cataraft !!-------<'))>><
Release all Wild Fish

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Now Osprey, aren't ya a Georgia boy yourself http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif I can play a killer Twilight Zone on the banjo. http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif RT how do I update my profile since you busted me as a televangelist?

[bathtub bob]

RT very interrsting topic im setting here this am reflecting on last month (oct) My dear wife just said enough is enough!!!! I fished 28 days on the lower chehalis and satsop. When your going every day your so dialed in on every thing ,tides where to be at any given time where the bite is ect ect!!! Well just to make a point the other guys that fish only a little really have a disadvantage. What keeps me going is that 20.7 lbs silver i landed tuesday and the 17er yesterday. But today is honey do day!!!!

[Deleted User]

Hey 'Yall, Exotic dancer or Televangelist; what's the difference? http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif - And B-Bob, I agree that being out there fishing almost everyday and getting really dialed in is a great advantage. I have a better knowledge base now but don't catch as many fish per trip going only once or twice a week, compared to when I averaged 6 times a week; accept when I make the right educated guesses of where they are and what they want http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif .

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Know fish or no fish. - RT