Catching Fish Is Not Like Walking A Dog
Life is hectic for most of us. It’s a fact; we are more engaged today than we were five or 10 years ago. And the reason? Cell phones, computers, computer games, the Internet, DVRs, careers, kids involved in dance, martial arts, sports, and countless other activities. So … when it comes to fishing, we may be forced to shoehorn a couple of days of searching for, finding, and catching fish into a few short hours on the lake or stream. But, catching fish in Utah or the world isn’t like walking the dog.
Dogs are great companions it’s true. And one of the reasons for this is that they are always ready for a walk. They are eager, ready for the next adventure and they trust you as their master to provide them the opportunity to explore. It’s like clockwork. Say “Should we go for a walk?” and the dog is instantly panting and heading for the door.
This past Friday, a friend (non dog) and I went lake trout fishing on Flaming Gorge Reservoir in northeastern Utah. Although both of us are bass anglers through and through, fishing in Utah requires less specialization since much of our Utah winters include iced-over lakes which send smallmouth bass to the bottom in a semi dormant state until the water begins to warm again in the spring.
The previous weekend, another group of family friends and I spent two days fishing for lake trout on the same body of water. We caught some very good fish over the two days and hooked and lost several others that would have tipped the scale at 20 pounds or more. So, without any warm up, my friend, Brent and I attempted to duplicate the performance from a week ago. You see, Brent only had the day on Friday in which to catch his fish. I, on the other hand was staying until Saturday and would more opportunities to catch lake trout. The result: total and complete frustration.
We began our day at sunrise 7:00 a.m mountain time along with a half-dozen other boats fishing the same spawning hump at about 60 feet deep. We tried jigs, tubes, buzz bombs, and Jake’s Spin-A-Lures to no avail. Others were hooking fish but not us. We made adjustments, changed lures, and did all we could be didn’t even feel a fish.
In the fall, and during the lake trout spawn, special regulations only allow fishing between sunrise and sunset. So, regardless of personal schedules, you have the hours of low light each day to target and catch fish. On Friday, we simply didn’t have enough hours in the day to figure the fish out. Brent went home Friday evening having only felt one solitary fish for a total of 10 seconds tops. Not a good way to end a fishing trip.
The next morning, and on my own, I went out to the identical spot, fished the identical lures and boated seven lake trout, on measuring close to 40 inches in length, and hooking 10 or more fish that simply came unhooked. I had a great Saturday and couldn’t wait to tell Brent about the experience.
The moral of the story is that catching fish is not like walking a dog. Fish aren’t waiting eagerly by the door waiting for a lure to drop down and for them to bite. There is no salivating on the carpet or running around waiting for you to open the door on the new experience of the day. No, if you expect to catch fish than you must give spend the time necessary to understand what the fish want based on the environment, weather, and the unknown X factor which is part and parcel to fishing success. Sometimes, you simply need to block off enough time to maximize your time on the water instead of assuming that since you caught them last time you ought to be able to pick up where you left off.
About The Author
