And what's wrong with that? Nothing! I'm a huge believer in process focus. Life, or performance in any of the the venues you enjoy, certainly feels better when you focus on the process vs the outcome. An easy example is research on happiness showing people who spend "extra" money on experiences like trips or meals etc are happier than those who spend money on fancy items - like that new Scott Radian that looks so good at the local fly shop ;).
Fishing is absolutely about the process for me. Fly tying as well. It's that chance to just be there. To hear the water and the environment around it. To feel myself experiencing the situation and required actions - the process.
Because of that, fishing trips like my lunch time sojourn today, which was a skunk show, are just as rewarding as the day's like one to a major stream about 45' from my home last spring where I had to have landed over 50 browns and bow's over 13". It was crazy!
So, while I didn't even have a tap, today's trip felt great. Fun to see the stream in a pretty darn frozen state, and to see how a new pearl over pink floss and white marabou streamer I've been playing with looked in the water.
Here's the scene...
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| Dead center is the stream. The snow was frozen solid, I really wish I'd had worn my ice creepers! Amazing to think that 6 months from now, you cant see 20 yds right here the leaves are so thick! |
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| My favorite spot on this stream. A great corner pool... the leafy debris from fall still has not washed away despite a few decent rain events... and now, most of the pool has a skim layer of ice. That log in the water dead center... Awesome spot - when the ice allows access :) |
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| Not sure what Ill name it. But, this fly is super simple and feels good. White marabou, pink floss tag with a pearl body that has silver rib. Moves great in the water and I suspect it will work well... But today, it just shared it's shimmy and shake with me. |
Will
That's so true. I had that kind of day. The fish just didn't want to move. The ones I spooked didn't even bolt, they just sort of lazily slipped back out of their lay!
ReplyDeleteAmazing when the fish are cold too eh? :)
DeleteWill, nice streamer and I'm sure the rainbows will be excited. I think bows love pink more than brookies.
ReplyDeleteI love being out this time of year.
That's an interesting thought Alan... Ill have to try it if I hit a local tailwater any time soon - or once the stocking trucks roll. Not to many waters near here hold rainbows and are fishable this time of year.
DeleteKeep well
Will
Will - so true! One of the benefits of fishing small streams is that it emphasizes the experience rather than "success" (number of fish caught). A few years ago I used to keep a running tally of all the fish I caught that particular year until I started thinking "this isn't why I fish"! Now I just record observations made while fishing
ReplyDeleteMark - that's a cool approach. It's about the experience. Some people think that sounds funny, but it's really true!
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