Sweet redemption

A bad day on the water can knock confidence down a few notches pretty quick. I'll occasionally get a little quiet after a frustrating day (bad loser I guess). Good or bad, I’m almost always looking for the take away, and something to up the game next time.

Sometimes though, all I can think is if only I had not completely botched that cast and hit that one spot that has now become overly glorified in my mind, that whole day would’ve been different. There’s always a 30 incher laughing at you in the hole you make a mistake on right? Well, after a bit of useless self deprecating I get over it pretty quick, and that’s the point here.

There’s only one way to rectify these issues. How’s the saying go? The best way to get over a girl is to.... yeah, anyways, the point is you don’t catch fish by just] sitting around thinking about them. Keep on fishing about it. Whether it be through fish or a bit of trivial knowledge gained or reminded of, persistence is rewarded.

My brother and I had a couple of these bad days in very similar conditions. We continued though, annoyed to the point that it felt like there was never even a fly at the end of our line.

Then the river gods decided to smile on us. A couple slow drifts and each of us connected with a few beautiful hungry Browns. Not giants by any means, but I was at the point of getting chills when I felt some moss or a loose stick pull back at me so no complaints here.

Then as the day was coming to an end my over glorified spot was approaching. And I’ll be damned if I botch it again. Whether there’s a fish holding in there or not. I held my line, and I think my breath until we got into position. I sent my streamer into the front of the inlet on the bank right where the current met the soft water. Two good strips and the third was met with a strong pull back and a few violent head shakes. It wasn’t moss this time...

It wasn’t that 30 incher with a shining monstrous aura around it that plagued my thoughts through the bad days. It was though a beautiful strong brown trout, and sure as hell enough to pep me right back up.

So finally, after confidence being crippled a couple times, I felt good as new. I never claim to have any secrets, as my numerous bad days will tell you. Though, I’m not sure if many good anglers would claim to either. Use what you learn and go again. That was my lesson for the day. One that probably could and should be said for every trip.