Monday...reflections, and RANTS!

The Cropdusters @ Izaak's Outfitters Ball
photo Mark Raisler

As Scumliner has said in the fishing report, this is the Secret Season.

Craig is a GHOST TOWN. The fish do not mind if there are not many folks around...they just rise all day long without interruption.

So, if you like that kind of action...

More pictures of the Outfitters Ball and the yahoo's that attended.

As for Rants...I will get a few things off my chest before they drive me into evil mental gymnastics all winter long.

Things that SOL Hates...

Casting behind the oar. Upstream while drift boat fishing. Why on earth would you limit your fish catching ability, not once, but all F****** day long, for days on end? Why would you do that to yourself. It is absolute insanity!! You are handcuffing the fella in the back seat partner. He never gets a drift, EVER. Because you are F***ing your buddy out of a drift, every time!!! And then you blame him for crossing your line. Are you this ignorant at work? I doubt it, because you would have been fired day one pal.

That felt great, I'm gonna try another one. This is helpful for me, good shit.

Hooking the Anchor Line, over, and over, and over, and over, and over...into perpetual madness! Scumliner hates this behavior. Get it out yourself. SOL will get one out for free, no more for Scumliner. Just do not do it, there will always be the anchor there.

Casting when you are tangled up...Why does the angler not know that he is tangled? Is he fishing? Is he in the game at all? Craziness. Curt Michels hates this, A LOT.

Stop Helping Me!! The nice, gracious client that insists on helping you at the boat ramp, get the boat ready. As if you don't do this everyday. I know is is politeness eeking out, but stand back sir and enjoy your vacation. I have had clients help me out of lots of stuff that I need at the completion of the day...like my anchor, anchor strap, boat strap, large fly boxes full of flies( meaning several hundred, yes it gets expensive) windstopper jackets, fleece gloves, reels, fly rods, etc, etc, etc. Just stop please. I got it!!

Your Bobber is the only bright orange item on the water! When your bobber is not moving, your flies are on the shore. When your bobber disappears, you have a fish on. When your bobber is attached to your fly rod, do not shake the SOB sir! When has that ever helped, shaking it. You would not shake a baby, would you? Think about it...hinge points with lead, flies etc. Don't do it again please. Every time your bobber moves, it is not always the bottom, please, come on! And it certainly not come off by itself. Why do people go into static mode when it is stuck on the bottom! Do something, be proactive!

Your Guide is on your team...he is your team captain. Yes, it is true. Guides want to catch fish even more than you want to. They are telling you the truth, trying to educate you, trying everything in their bag of tricks to help you into as many fish as is humanly possible. And you do not believe them. Why not? Guides are truly interested in positive outcomes, every day, all day long.

That is enough for now...maybe more later. In no way is this meant to insult or belittle any soul who has graced me with their presence. It is for me only. I will sleep better having said these simple things. Smart people will read a few of these and learn. Fishing is a life long learning sport...always room for improvement. The only loser who cannot come back in my boat is the fella who knows everything. I have not met a soul who cannot learn more about fishing. That fellow is one lonely, sad, SOB.

Photos...E Bitty as the Mexican Mayfly | aka San Juan Worm
Beezar as the Obnoxious Drunk Euro Rock Star | aka Brian drunk
All photos property of Headhunters Fly Shop