FoulHooked...(how'd that get there?)

Where, when and how did your passion start? Recently I've been so focused on fishing that I feel like I've almost lost sight of my true passion, the outdoors. In reality, fishing, and particularly, fly-fishing, is just a small sub-passion. And while I have always been "interested" in the outdoors, I can remember exactly where, when and how that interest turned into a full-fledged passion...no, obsession. It was the summer of 1997. I was lucky enough to have been sent to NYSDEC's Environmental Education camp at Lake Colby for a week. I had no idea what to expect, but it was a turning point in my life. Too many "cool" things went on during that week for me to recall, or even count. Outdoor rec, natural resources and bio-ecology education, general fun and games, it was a great time. But there was one event that really stood out in my mind. Pitchoff Mountain. My first mountain. Not a mountain so much as a series of tall, rocky hills. But the experience, the ...

Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's boredom. Maybe I need something exciting to do. Maybe it's just nothing, but I just don't feel like typing this week. Maybe it's the high prices of tying materials. Quite honestly, I have more than I need , but who doesn't want it all...and you could spend a grand and not even scratch the surface. Not to mention my need for a new vise (or perhaps a new vice...nah, they never lead anywhere good). But then again, I don't even feel like tying at all this week. Maybe it's because the trout have snubbed me. Water has been perfect, and they have been there (even had some takes and noisy refusals), but nothing to hand. Of course, bent hookpoints are never good for hooking fish (watch out for that metal guardrail). Maybe it's because last weekends trip north never happened ...rain and other obligations and such. Maybe it's just because I'd rather be fishing...always...well, virtually. Last night's trip...

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"Or perhaps fly fishermen are simply society’s low-level malcontents; we’re not quite strong enough to simply be content, but we know better than to grab a carbine and climb a tower."

What a week, what a week, what a week boys and girls. A breakup, food poisoning and a minor hit-and-run sideswipe of the old horseless carriage. Add to that 2 skunkings at the creek. Hey, at least I confirmed the trout were there. I saw them. Even got some takes/last second refusals. And I'm convinced that if I had looked at my fly a few casts earlier, I would have had at least 1 trout landed (a second bend at the point resulted in a total 360 degree bend to the hook...not too useful as far as penetration goes...damn that steel guardrail). Headed north Sunday to try a real trout stream for the first time in a long time...hopefully this string of "luck" does not continue...should I head to the creek again tomorrow to get #3 out of the way...what if something actually takes? Does that doom Sunday's trip? Is it worth driving 2+ hours knowing nothing will be caught? HAZAAH! I almost forgot! I already got my 3rd skunking this week...at the Mohawk. Still, I am at a...

According to Colin Cowherd, all the greats got great by rolling the dice. I tend to agree. If you never take a chance, don't ever expect good things to just come your way. The key is knowing the right time to roll. Still, I'm pretty damn cautious generally speaking. Yesterday had Mohawk flows appear to be nearing a return to something more reasonable, and I decided to risk life, limb, and a fishless day in hopes that levels would drop into prime smallie levels (anywhere near 1,500 cfs ). Sadly they stayed up (5-6,000 cfs ), and I had not so much as a tug in the raging waters. Joe did manage one little guy, so I didn't feel too bad for abandoning a perfectly good plan in favor of some risky wading. Hey, you win some, you lose some. It was still nice to have 360' of casting room, despite a bit of wind. Tonight, methinks it's about time to check in on the creek again, see how she held up throughout all the rain, and if the trout that seemed absent during my l...

In desperate need of some fishing (haven't been since the 22 nd , and after a stressful weekend...), I headed into the (relatively) unknown yesterday, despite residual high-waters from the unrelenting rains we have seen for the past, what is it, 6 days now? The goal was to scout a nearby reservoir for a bass outing scheduled for today. I had been to the res. before, trolling for walleye, but only ever caught (massive) sunfish. However, as listed by DEC and evidenced by the juvies near the cartop -launch, there are smallmouth and largemouth there. Unfortunately, the area around the reservoir is completely wooded, so I thought it prudent to confirm that casting room existed from the dam. Short answer; it does. So, all the way to the end of the dam (and to the top of the spillway), and low and behold, I immediately spot a 12" LMB cruising along the top of the spillway ("WHAT ARE YOU, NUTS? YOU COULD BE SWEPT OVER IN A SECOND!"). Anyway, the water was moving pretty g...