Post by 3rdcoast on Dec 18, 2020 11:27:55 GMT -6
Been a while since I posted....mainly lurking....lol. Figured since the activity has been picking up on the forum, I'd give an update. Spent Thanksgiving week on the river. I have an Rv and typically camp at either Acorn(almost impossible to find a spot nowadays) or Cypress. Got everything setup at Cypress and headed to the river. Was very crowded on the the weekend before T-day week. I don't get frustrated with the crowds. I take the opportunity to fish in spots I usually don't go. I'm an ADD fisherman....can't stay in one place for too long or use the same setup for too long. The first few days with the crowds, I spent most of my time at SC. Walking the whole stretch......wasn't super productive but I did manage to get 7-10 fish a day, but I had to work at it. I did manage to get a nice Brown around middle SC. It is such a beautiful stretch of river and so many different environments to fish in. The days after T-day were very productive. As far as flys, I was using the typical productive patterns. I lost a huge fish at SB......jumped twice....was a total monster, but was outmatched and wasn't meant to be. I had nothing but backing left on the reel and I know I was in trouble. I was scrambling to get in a better position after he ran, but to no avail. There is a reason that monster got that big. Before Covid hit, I was looking forward to going to Trout camp this year. Seems like every year I have something going on that weekend. I figured it would be cancelled, hopefully if there is something in Jan, I can make it. One of my vices is fine bourbon, so I will definitely bring some allocated bottles.
The folks and info on this site have helped immensely, but nothing is more valuable than time on the river. I made the mistake of not hiring a guide until a few years after being clueless and fumbling around thinking I knew what I was doing. Shit, I still don't know what I'm doing....but I am catching fish. Even after knowing the basics, I still hire guides at least once a year to enhance my skills. To the conversation of giving out which rock to stand on and revealing all the secrets....I grew up surfing and compare the river to certain surf breaks in Hawaii. You have to earn your place. Nothing is given to you there. With time spent, knowledge will come. I'm headed up after Christmas for a few days. I'll give another report when I return. Hope everyone has a great Christmas!