Volume 13 • Issue 3 • March 2008

A Balance of Both Failure and Success

That's funny. They took them like kids do to cookies last year, and now you wouldn't think there were any fish within a hundred miles. No action. I've tried every fly in my arsenal–nada! Well, that's the way it goes. It's frustrating but at the same time magically challenging. The angler is truly blessed who finds a host of fish on the end of the line every time he spends time on the water. Blessed, we might guess, but upon second thought, such success might reach a point at which it would actually become boring. And so we have the irony of being skunked from time to time in order to receive the thrill of a tug that brings success, whether it be a nice bluegill or a five-pound bass.

We may go through periods when a single fly pattern leads to action on almost every cast–maybe not just for one outing but for a whole season. The opposite would be times when we try every fly imaginable, each furnishing new hope, only to find failure. Ah, but how sweet the sensation when success returns!

Blaming ourselves for failure becomes tempered when we face the reality that reward and failure depend upon each other in order for us to sense the full experience of not only fly-fishing but also in most other aspects of life. In our favorite sport, a day of no fish should not mean that it was time wasted. Any time on the river, stream, lake, or saltwater is a recess from all the distractions and annoyances that we face in our normal daily routines.

Let's go into a little more detail on this train of thought. Having trouble learning to tie flies? Your spirit might be uplifted if you take note that almost anything tied on a hook has a chance of catching a fish. Probably one's first efforts at the tying skill may look rather pitiful, especially if you're trying to learn on your own through instructions from a fly tying book. An interesting experiment would be to give your best effort to tie a half dozen Woolly Worms–not necessarily all in the same day, but within pretty short order–then go fishing with them. It would be a good bet that you'll catch a fish. Using the simplest patterns first is a good tip. You will find that your skills will improve rather quickly. Realize that each time you tie a fly you will be increasing your skill despite any problems you encounter. There is no limit on the types of techniques you will learn. Almost immediately you will begin feeling rather proud of your ability and the fact that you'll be tying most of the flies you use in the places you fish and only buying flies when you venture far afield from familiar surroundings. That's when you may peek into a fly shop to find any flies that are effective in these new locales. Of course, if you have your vise and materials handy, you might seize this as an opportunity to tie some of these new types of flies. An investment of time and small expense in learning to tie flies will lead to some minor irritations but, what the heck, the rewards far outweigh the frustrations. A bit of impatience with feathers, chenille, half hitches and whip finishes will soon lead to hours of pleasure and pride in having acquired the skill, plus the joy of catching a fish on what you have produced.

Have you ever had days when your casting has not measured up to expectations? That's another opportunity to turn a negative into a positive. Even when an angler is rather accomplished, the casts may not be works of art. A lot of such times casts are challenged by wind problems. There are techniques to deal with that, but let's face it, if you're trying to cast in twenty-five m.p.h. winds, that flying line isn't going to look its best. On the other hand, you may learn to master a new technique that works for you enough to make fishing worth the effort, perhaps perfecting a roll cast when the wind is behind you or a low sidearm cast to take advantage of slower wind near the water's surface. You may have to go through some frustration, but having outwitted the wind will be your proud reward.

Ever heard of Newton's Third Law of Motion? You may recall it from a high school physics class: "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." That sort of sums up the point this article is attempting to underscore regarding fly-fishing ( Hummm, that raises an interesting question. Do you reckon Sir Isaac Newton was a fly fisher?). Oops,sorry for the distraction, but back to the point. For every disappointment or failure we experience with our wonderful sport, it's nice to believe that there will be an equal and opposite reward. The next time you get a bit perturbed with your fly-fishing efforts, consider Newton's Law and the premise that the balance between failure and success is the underlying factor for our fascination with fly-fishing as a most intriguing pastime. Just hang in there when your balance seems to drift. Success is just around the corner, ready to even out things.

–M.A.

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How's Your Trout Fishing This Season?

Global warming? For some, it's just a thing that rolls around ever so often, for others, a serious problem that must be addressed. Regardless of one's particular viewpoint, it seems that fishing for our stocked trout this year may have been different from the past, or else is it just a figment of the imagination? Ye olde editor can only comment for himself, but my season has seemed lacking to some degree, albeit partly because I have been occupied with several other duties that have cut down on my outings. Nevertheless, I am curious as to how my fellow club members have assessed this year's trout fishing at our leases.

First, let me say that I have only been out to fish for these big fighting fish six times so far; therefore, my impressions are noticeably limited. What follows is not meant to be a negative complaint. I'm just wondering if others have noticed the same things that may be indicators deserving future evaluation.

I have been three times to La Junta, mainly because it is just a ten minute drive from my house. I use my float tube since fishing from the bank at this lease is quite limited. Weather has been a negative for me since half my body is in the water, and there have been a number of days when it was just too cold and or windy to enjoy fishing under the circumstances, but I'm the only one I know of using a tube. I suspect, even at that, such days have kept others from fishing as often as usual. The first time there, as I recall, a week or so after the trout were released, I caught three nice fish over about a five hour float. Actually, I caught five fish but one was a nice bass. On my second outing maybe three weeks later, the weather was fine, and I caught five fish, I believe, along with several that threw my hook. The third outing resulted in nothing. The fourth, also nothing but with one on line that got away.

I have made it to Crabapple Creek twice. I caught nothing the first time during late in February and one trout the second outing just recently.

I have not fished at the Double B. It is not one of my favorite places simply because it's lacking in the natural rustic atmosphere I prefer. I don't like a pink arm band, and the golf courses irritate me. That's just my peculiarity. I'm glad that we have the lease; I just like the other locations better.

Now, what has been different this year from others? The weather has been my main handicap, especially with the tube fishing at La Junta. We have had a lot of cold, windy days, enough so to keep me from fishing when I would have otherwise gone. On the other hand, we have had a number of pre-maturely warm days above seventy degrees into the high eighties and low nineties that I felt made the trout quite sluggish. A third factor, I believe, is that I think a lot of poaching goes on at this location. After all, it is a navigable river and anyone with a canoe or small boat, even a tube, has full right to float in that public water as long as they stay off the land. In addition, even those who fish from the bank are able to find times when they would not be challenged.

And so, with my limited outings this year, I would list the following items as cutting way down on my success in catching fish:

First, are what I would classify as adjustable causes–things that may be regulated or controlled to some degree. For me, the cost of gasoline is a consideration when I wish to fish at Crabapple Creek. It's just more convenient and significantly less expensive for me to reach La Junta than travel to Crabapple, It would also be less expensive than going to Double B if I chose to.

A second such factor is the poaching problem. This will probably be a problem that will continue to exist but might be better controlled.

Now comes the natural factor. A third influence on our success in catching the trout and one over which we have little control is the weather. I don't recall a year in the past when we have had so many days hot enough to raise the water temperature above seventy degrees as has been this year. Even if the fish are still alive, they must surely lose some of their appetite when they are struggling to exist. Although we cannot control the temperature of the water, we might consider pushing the date forward as to when we start keeping the fish. I have heard a number of comments that it would be more humane and useful to begin keeping what we catch at an earlier date while they are still frisky and they will end up on someone's plate for a delicious meal instead of ending belly up dead in hot water. We are usually able to fish through April before the temperature factor comes into play, but if the global warming factor is, indeed, with us, that would be all the more reason for revising our date to begin keeping our catch.

Just a few thoughts. As I write this, the trout season is still in progress. Go out and catch some while they last! Lots 'a luck to both you and the fish.

–M.A.

From FFF ClubWire. . .

Popper Power
by Clay Gill
from the Alamo Fly Fishers Newsletter

As the molten sunset sank into the water, the sky was ablaze with colors from purple to bright yellows. It was a perfect ending to a fishing day. Redwing blackbirds landed atop lake side cattails by the thousands. The brush country ranch lake was surrounded with the sights and sounds of a wild back-country teeming with life. Constant activity surrounds this large man made lake, attracted by the important fresh water. As the center of life, it creates an amazing and peaceful place. From the flight and calls of doves, early teal and redwings by the thousands, to simple night sounds like birds, frogs, and crickets, fishing on a south Texas ranch lake is more than a thrill. I can be about the best bass fishing you'll find.

Fly-fishing on a brush country bass lake is more than constant hook-ups on a well placed cast. You never want to leave these places. We have camped so many times just to be there at sunset and sunrise. You can stay for days and don't want to return to the city. Brush country looks barren and desolate until you slow down and really take a look. Once you live at the right pace it all becomes clear. This country is just busting out at the seams with life!

Coyotes yodel, yelp and squeal as the sun melts away. It raises the hair on the back of your neck. They often seem so close. Song dogs orchestrate a cacophony just out of sight to advise us we are the visitors–and they are at home. There is just something about the brush land south of San Antonio. My dad would call Woolly Bugger country. There is something about wild hogs fighting at night or the scream of big cats slinking through the brush. Young kids at camp pull covers over their heads and imagine dinosaurs plodding–that's Woolly Bugger country. These are night sounds you may never hear unless you go out west or south of San Antonio. An eye-opener would be to hear a mountain lion scream after taking a deer. That could give anyone goose bumps. Imagine immigrants traveling through brush at night.

These are the things you may never see or hear in a state park. There is nothing wrong with state parks, but sleeping in a brush country cow camp beside a legendary bass lake with a zillion stars overhead is the best! It's the glow of small south Texas towns way out on the horizon as the only reminder you are still near civilization. It is truly a great escape. Troubles and schedules cease and it's all about food. And the silence can be deafening!

Ranch lake fishing is different. The lakes are almost scary. Cruising in a kayak, at times you might hope to be much higher in the water. Alligators abound now. One place we go has all sizes and they are not at all afraid of humans. Gators are curious to a fault. Your are the best show in town and they want a front row seat. Lip a bass? Are the gators near? These guys are like submarines. They can surface from nowhere! And they do–beside the boats! You can only trust a gator so far. Paddling past an eight footer on the bank in the mud, you quickly earn a healthy respect watching them sun. We try to keep our hands and feet in the boat!

There is also magic in ranch lakes. Eventually you will see a phenomenon that occurs when dragonflies fill the afternoon breeze and dip to the lake surface. The clear water pumped to these stocked lakes is brought up in large diameter high capacity wells to keep the levels constant and it is as clear as the San Marcos River. The bass lurk in vegetation but see those flying bugs hovering and go into action. Like a switch, all over the lake, bass will start leaping into the air and literally catch these winged creatures in mid-air. It is most unnerving and a real sight to see. Once it starts, it is hard to tie a knot. Two pound bass in the air all around you splashing and popping is a sensory overload– the first time you see this event. It is fascinating to observe the brush country. Just like thick brush, life is low and slow. But it is intense and all around you. Everything has eyes, it seems, and they are watching you!

If you cannot get access to one of these back roads places (always locked behind a massive gate entrance), it is okay. A near perfect substitute is Choke Canyon Lake and State Park. This civilized park offers everything wild but safety in numbers plus a bathroom. You still hear the coyotes but there is less chance a six foot rattler will crawl in your sleeping bag. It has the get-away quality fishing and plenty of solitude for the average adventurer.

The moral of this story is to pull a young person out of the shopping mall and go listen to the song dogs. Who knows, he might even like cool snake boots! Build a mesquite fire and cook outdoors. Make a pot of beans and sing some songs by a campfire. Tell some stories and stay a while. Sleep better than you have in months. Watch an amazing sunrise and just relax.

Watch visitors' eyes as they marvel at the grandeur of God's creations in the back country. It can set man's castles in the big city back a notch. It is a wonderful renewal and humbling to get back to the basics. And fishing there can be just as good.

Thanks, Dad, for the endless campfires. I did the same for your grandbabies–all in your memory. And some new little troops are about to assemble soon. We can't wait!

Get out soon and often. It is time for my friends to enjoy their families. Loop-knot a Dahlberg Diver and feel the magic power of a Popper real soon. Top to the day to you all!