When the Fishing Trips Die

[Smallfry]

Fishing trips in general are becoming less spontaneous, family and responsibilities are starting to catch up to me. It's very strange to go to dance recitals, softball practice and having fun at the games while trying to maintain a semi functioning household. I've only been out a handful of times this past spring & winter, sadly but each of those little outings was a nice blessing. I've seen lots of bug activity and hungry fish when I do get out. Once I saw Jeff and discovered my little fly box was severely lacking on yellow & lighter colored nymphs, it was an easy fix. This most recent trip was, again, short, I was on my way home and made the detour. I only had my 7wt with me so I figured it'd be good day to walk around the river a few hours with no expectations. I didn't have my wading boots so I wasn't about to spend time slipping around spillway and just stayed where there was more gravel. I had some green thing with eyes tied on and would plop it around where I hoped there'd be fish. Eventually I started getting little grab n runs but since I've almost forgotten what setting a hook is I missed pretty much all of them. There were bugs coming up everywhere! Little poofy mayflies lazily floating about and caddis hanging out on the rocks. I'm pretty sure I ate a few that were buzzing around as well, not on purpose. I finally managed to land a fish on the green thing so I changed it to a hopper and decided to hang a big nymph off it. It worked but me setting the hook did not. I almost had the river to myself so it was very pleasant. I was still in the river when the sun went down, listening to the fish splashing out of the water for whatever hatch was going on. I was a little hopeful someone would go for my big hopper but I got cold and decided to head home. When I eventually made it home the husband had the AC going so cold I probably would have been better off staying in the river.

[huntnfish2much]

Smallfry, reading your post almost makes me want to drive up there. I know this coming weekend will be madness to put it mildly. My son lives in Alvin, TX, which is between Houston and Galveston. The wife said we should go to one or the other. My son reminded me that there are people that will literally commandeer your beach chairs if you leave them for any period of time.

I’m getting more and more anti-social as I get older. I love to fish, but I hate crowds. Maybe I need to dig a pond on my land. There’s a little creek that runs through it. I love walking down there to hear the water trickling over the rocks.

JR

[Smallfry]

huntnfish2much Yeah, I was thinking of plans for this weekend too! They may not involve water just to avoid the insanity. Don't they have some pretty cool fish down that way? Like those Rio Grande Cichlids? I would absolutely love to catch one!! Tried to last year, there was one that would swim up to my fly and just stare at it.

[huntnfish2much]

I have never fished for Rio Grande Ciclids. They’re pretty cool looking fish, though. Usually, when I get to go see my son, we go salt water or marsh fishing. Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder are the normal targets.

He makes soft plastic baits. Bite and Fight Angler is his business name. I tie saltwater flies and jigs for him to sell on his website. We will also set up at expos like The Houston Fishing Show and the upcoming Galveston Fishing Extravaganza. It’s coming up end of next month. I have to tie up a bunch of stuff to get ready for that.

JR

[dannys]

The Rios are in just about every Hill Country creek/river I have fished. And they can get pretty large in some waters. It is hard to target them because they will feed much like the many species of sunfish, largemouths, Guadalupe bass, etc.

[gui]

I feel you there! There’s a birthday party basically every weekend. And then the house projects… I’ve been to the LMF only twice this year, which includes the Mystery Fly. I may have more time starting in June, but the heat is coming up.
I travel a little bit for work and being able to squeeze in a day of fishing during work trips has been really sweet. Last week was a trip to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The fishing was incredible, so I guess I can’t complain too much. As you say, any time on the water is a blessing!

[turfdawg]

Yes it seems to be in cycles. One minute, or so it seems, busy working and family activities, next minute it’s grown children with time for more trips, then the next minute it’s the wonderful time of grandchildren and don’t forget health. The fishing trips seem to take on a different perspective also. Being on the river with the family with being part of helping them while watching their excitement equals your landing ones you catch.

[jonbo]

Right now I'm at a particularly lucky cycle. Being recently retired, I can fish, mostly, whenever I please. I am taking on some family chores, my wife's, my daughter's and her families', in order to help relieve burdens. For example, this morning I drove my granddaughter to cheer practice. I'm doing the same tomorrow (or am I picking her up? I'll find out, I'm sure.) Then I came home and mowed and weed-ate. Did some laundry. A few weeks ago I fixed a plumbing leak for those people. I'll probably go to the river early Friday morning. Returning through DeQueen, stopping at Walmart and Bailey's, I'll pick up stuff for the house. See, it's like that. I manage to get some fishing in about once a week. So far, it's been pretty rad. I'm getting better at contact-nymphing (better term than euro-nymphing?) and at dry-dropper fishing, which is important.