Do you ever get caught in a rut? You head to not solely the identical river, however the identical stretch of it, parking on the identical spots, climbing the identical trails, and fishing the identical flies. There’s consolation in understanding you’re doing one thing that works, however you’ll be able to’t stave off the sensation that you just’re lacking out on one thing else.
For lots of us, we’re caught in a rut as a result of different circumstances. The angler who solely has someday per week to fish would like to discover, however the consolation of fishing what he thinks is a positive factor is an excessive amount of to move up. Higher to fish the place you’ve got a greater shot at placing one thing within the internet, despite the fact that that stretch of water a number of miles downriver has at all times regarded attractive.
I used to be in that very same boat for many of the previous two years. I used to be instructing highschool full-time, which left me with restricted time to fly fish for 9 months of the 12 months. The lure of fishing water I knew had fish in it was too nice, and I spent much less time exploring than I’d like. Even on rivers chock filled with trout, I stored fishing the identical beats, telling myself I’d discover the remainder of it later.
I by no means did, however I stop instructing in Could, so I’ve had extra time on my arms. I additionally made it a objective this 12 months to not fish the identical items of water again and again, not within the least as a result of I used to be losing interest of that. I dwell in Wyoming, arguably the least-boring state through which to be a fly angler. I owed it to myself to unfold my wings a bit and discover some new-to-me water.
Every time I’ve ventured off in quest of one thing completely different this 12 months, it’s paid off. On my native creek, I’ve solely visited my normal spots a few times since runoff subsided. The sections I’d by no means fished earlier than have opened my eyes to simply how a lot nice fishing I’ve missed out on within the title of consolation.
My native tailwater is probably a greater instance of this. There’s one part the place the street runs near the river and the financial institution is mild and simple. It’s a bit of cake to entry, particularly in comparison with the near-vertical rock and sagebrush-lined cliffs that move as the remainder of the river’s “banks.” I’d at all times fished the tailwater right here – the spot the place everybody else fishes – and as such, I by no means had a excessive opinion of it.
In June I pressured myself to go to a distinct part, and whereas the hike down was perilous, it wasn’t unattainable. The fishing was excellent, as that part isn’t fished, and the trout have been greater than desperate to eat my flies.
This example has performed out almost each time I’ve gone fishing this summer time, and it’s making me really feel greater than a bit ashamed of my lack of adventurous spirit. Sure, the potential for getting skunked is there, nevertheless it hasn’t occurred but. It most likely will, particularly now that I’ve written this column. However my loss is your achieve – go discover some new, previous water this summer time. You’ll be glad you probably did.
