Have You Been Fishing?

Almost everyone I come in contact with asks me if I’ve been fishing.  The answer is yes.  I go fishing all the time.  All the time when I am not working in the shop or buried in domestic chores and there is some daylight left.  That unfortunately limits my fishing time, but I use what I get and go fishing whenever I can.  I prefer not to answer no.

The same people who ask me if I’ve been fishing, usually respond with a no when I pose the same question to them.  Are they too busy?  Are they afraid of the weather?  Do they not like catching fish from an uncrowded river surrounded by beautiful winter scenery?  I’m sure it is one or all of these excuses  and to be honest, when I’m out there, I don’t mind having it to myself.

I’m not going to lie. I really like the Missouri River this way.

Looks like Terry needs a Simms Taco Bag.

Kevin tied on some pink stuff and hooked up on his first cast.  Unfortunately, the fish was too big.  It jumped a couple times to show off and then broke Kevin’s line.  Kevin claimed he had a "reel malfunction" due to falling on the reel during a recent outing.  Sounds like Kevin needs a new fly reel.

It’s pretty hard to beat tiny pink stuff.  A size #16 Soft Hackle Sow was readily eaten.  Kevin found fish eager to eat the Pink and Fuchsia Ray’s that he tied.  I nymphed up a few and then played around with my OPST 250 grain Commando Head on a 9’6" single hand.  I’m loving it.  The fish were not super grabby, but I got some sharp tugs and landed one feisty rainbow.  That’s all I needed.  I went fishing and I got to catch a fish the way I wanted to on a beautiful early winter day with good friends.  I will follow that program any time.