The carpin has been tough lately. I know it is winter and all that but I have been runnin on skunkty for the last month. My difficulties stem partially from not lining up fishing time with good weather but I haven't been on my game either. Since I decided to start fishing through the off-season I have fly fished for carp the last 20 months in a row, I may need a break. Unless I get a shot at some really sweet weather I think I am going to take the rest of January off.
Today was rough. The temperature dropped roughly 20 degrees between yesterday and today, and for reasons mysterious to me the river has turned several shades of felch. I didn't really expect to stand a chance and I was right so I quit after three hours and headed to the International Sportsman's Expo to check in with some friends and enter the casting accuracy competition. I entered mainly for giggles and because I have been thinking allot about improving my casting this year.
Believe me, it was freaking hilarious because I sucked! I did notice one funny thing though. As I cast to every single target except the one that was a mile (65 feet) away I actually felt like I totally nailed it. The casts were on-line and they FELT the perfect distance. I was surprised each and every time when the guy called out that I was just a smidge long. As far as I can tell I was between 21 and 25 inches long of the bulls eye just about every time. Habit I guess!
At any rate for the first time in my life I think I am actually going to spend some time actually practicing and maybe even get some lessons like I have been threatening to for the last year or so.
Fishing is kind of dead around here too. Thinking about jumpin on a plane and doing a DIY week in the Bahamas if I can dig up the funds.
ReplyDeleteMan, that sounds great. I will keep an eye on your blog to see how it went. A buddy and I have been intending to do the same for a while now, we need to get off our butts and make it happen.
ReplyDeleteMe too just havnt pulled the trigger. I saw tons of grass carp in a canal north of Miami I want to harras for a day or two on the way home. Neat ditch with snook, baby tarpon, cichlids/peacocks and some donkey grass carp. Couldnt feed a grassie last time though. It all cost money to make I happen though.
ReplyDeleteCome out here and join me in a fruitless pursuit for winter steelhead. I don't think they really exist.
ReplyDeleteCome on now, perseverance fellows, plus I have few other options. But I always wonder "Is the next second 'The One'." So I thought last 4th. with a perfect sunrise to sunset carp skunking. (I caught a trout by cheating, I tried for them-felt guilty, so quit that nonsense.)
ReplyDeleteGregg
David - Those canals around Miami really sound intriguing. I usually end up on the gulf-side when I go to FL because of family so I havent ever had a chance to check them out.
ReplyDeleteJohn - That was pretty much my opinion by the end of my steelhead days in MI. Steelhead, bigfoot and the lochness monster. Three pees in a pod.
Gregg - Kikin babies (trout fishing) does turn into a bit of a guilty pleasure for some reason doesnt it? Makes no sense of course but it is what it is.
I don't know about casting competitions, I don't see too many casting champions on the river I fish. They are busy practicing while I do my practice on the river. =)
ReplyDeleteThat would pretty much be my opinion as well Kev! Can't say I cn remember spending more than 4 or 5 total hours doing pure casting practice (I.E. not trying to catch something in the process) the entire 26 years I have been fly fishing.
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmm, I'm on the other end of the practice spectrum. I keep a rod strung up by the back door and step out into the yard more or less every day for a few minutes of practice. Mainly because I just like to cast, but also to get better at casting in conditions I run into while fishing. My practice usually addresses actual casting situations - accuracy, casting under or around obstacles, casting in wind, etc. My neighbors think I'm insane. My wife and kids think I'm a dork.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am gonna try an be a little more like you this year Ty. Not sure I could stand dry-practice EVERY DAY, and certainly dont need more reasons for the fam to think I am a dork but I am gonna try and work it in at least a little this year.
ReplyDelete