Don't be a Slob

I make a little different post this morning, one I'm sort of embarrassed and guilty about, thus the reason to write it and remember it.

As anglers we should all learn when to say when and respect the resource. I often think of this in my daily reservoir guiding activities, how many fish does a guy need to catch in a day? Yesterday I guess I got caught up in the moment, in the zone so to speak. I had in my mind fishing an entire stretch of creek, which I did. Fishing was such that I literally caught fish on every bend, every riffle, and in every pool, all the way up at for 7 hours. I shouldn't have done that. I told myself at the start that I was only going to make the tricky casts to fish in tough lies, and cast only to the bigger heads I saw. Make it sporting. I did that. But then I got caught up in it. Catching was so easy and so good that I stopped thinking and just became sort of a machine. I had the whole stretch to myself all day, in perfect 70° weather with no wind. I got halfway through the stretch and started telling myself, yes, I can fish all the way up to the train trestle. And I did, and I'm sorry for it. I should know to do better, and I will. 

Today I will fish a slower rod, which might make me fish a little slower. I'll have a clearer perspective of why I do this. I guess sometimes we need an eye opener. Fly fishing shouldn't be just a mechanical thing, to catch fish after fish doing the same thing over and over. I changed flies a few times, but it didn't matter what I put on. The hatch was just right, the fish were up, and I turned into a slob.

In the moment I lost respect for the fish and the resource. I was only seemingly enjoying the fishing because I know this doesn't happen too often, the kind of day we dream of. I started remembering all the days I had walked the creek for hours and hours without seeing a single rise. But that's no excuse. I will learn from it. You're never too old . . .

This morning I'm torn between just leaving and fishing somewhere in Montana, or not. But I'm here, conditions are great, and today will be a challenge to see if I can do it the right way, be selective and appreciate the challenge of each cast and each fish. I'll fish a different run. I'll play with some different flies. I won't throw at the sitting ducks, there's just no reason to.

I can't make it Silver Creek, which is probably where I should be, getting humbled a little. However, I can make it a little more sporting, a little more about what the sport should be, at least in my mind. Catch a few trout. Hunt for a really nice one or two. Stalk 'em like a heron. Observe more, cast less. Enjoy another day of perfect conditions. See some pools and riffles I haven't fished this season. With a different stick. Ya, that's what it's about.

It happens in June.  Rained all day yesterday in the valley.

Yesterday's storm left all of the surrounding mountains with a little dusting.

Afternoon caddis and pmds.

A memorable run.

Fished every inch from the big middle bridge to here.

My spinner with all the triggers.  It looks better, more dead, on the water.

I fished 'ole Timmy because it was on the patch when I looked in for something different.

Hell this even worked.

Everything worked today, but they sure like that 'ole chocolate hanger.

One I had to pay attention for.

This one was memorable. Part of the reason to do it.