Bad day on the water

[Andrew]

Man, I wish that essay contest was still up and running, because I had a pretty awful day on the water yesterday. 

I took my dad out, thinking this would finally be the day that he got the steelhead skunk off. How couldn't he? Perfect conditions for an October morning on the upper river almost always spell "multiple fish." Sturzman met up with us, as did Chuck later on (for a short while). If there were fish to be caught, we were going to catch them.

Well, first of all, none of us caught any steelhead. Second, my waders somehow sprung multiple leaks throughout the day. Third, the weather went from sun  straight to intermittent downpours (no raincoat, naturally)      . Fourth, desperation put us on the putrid lower river after the infamous mouthless hatchery Green River coho to no avail (besides an incidentally snagged "moldy-hump"), and, finally--the final blow, if you will--some honest fisherman stole my noodle rod (w/ reel) when my dad went downstream from the stand of bushes where he had left it.

I didn't submit anything for the "worst day on the water" contest because I couldn't think of any day much worse than "nice to get out and relax even though I got skunked." Not anymore!

I'm sure it's one of those days I'll later reflect on and have good laugh, but all I can say right now is "bring on the winter-runs." 

Andrew

[zonker]

Andrew,

Sorry to hear of the troubles. Leaky waders, stolen rod, and skunk all in the same day is surely a lot to deal with. Hope you have some better times in the future. You know what they say --- All those skunk days make the fishy days that much better. At least you're still healthy and can think of another day - and maybe a new rod/reel combo at some point.

I dunno about you guys who don't take your rain coats, though. 

zonker

[The Codfather]

That's one heck of a day Andrew. That fact that you put up a skunk is one thing, but having a rod stolen If its one thing that burns me to the core, its thieves. Sorry to hear about your day.

[Andrew]

Raincoats. 

I've probably overstated my frustration a little. Mainly, I just want to get back out and have a good time catching some quality fish. I was doing this without much trouble when I had all the time in the world, but since school has started and my time has been restricted, my limited opportunities to get out have been pretty unsatisfying.

I think Reinhold pretty much hit it right on: it's the theft. I've always felt like stealing represented one of the worst sides of humanity, and fishing one of the best. It's one thing to have a tweeker bust into your rig while you're fishing (I've had this happen, too, and it's not a great feeling either), but it's another thing to have a fellow "fisherman" steal your setup to use later on. The mentality of a fisherman who could enjoy fishing with a stolen rod is beyond me. Or at least I wish it were.

My consolation is that it was a crappy Shakespeare noodle rod, which could easily be broken if handled improperly, and which won't be expensive to replace (or necessary, anytime soon, since summer is pretty much done). Still, I hope he busts it on his first hang-up. The reel was a sale-priced Okuma Avenger, so no big loss there either.

One more reason to be a cheapskate fisherman I guess. 

I'll get back out and catch some fish yet. 

Andrew

[OPfisher]

Im usually one to say something like it's nice just to get out but man its tuff to find much positive out of that trip. Sorry to hear it; but just think how many karma points you just banked!