Fishing not Catching:
As any fisherman or guide will tell you, there are just some days (or nights), when you just fish and you don’t catch. This a part of the challenge, experience and being outdoors.
It would be so much easier if it was just “catching” and not “fishing”. Remember this when you are heading out. Manage expectations.
Especially when you are fly fishing.
Weather can shut you down, tides, moon, wind – lots of “Stuff”. Enjoy what you can.
Two Great Songs to Give Some Perspective:
When it’s going slow:
If you are fishing with someone – Give it to them. Just make fun of them. Blame the slow day on them. It will annoy the day lights out of them but at least you can laugh. A slow day is a great day to just give it to a Buddy.
Listen to Music:
And if you are so inclined have an extra beer or more. Be safe – not too much – but bad days can be good days to have an extra beer.
Enjoy and Learn:
You aren’t wasting a day when you are fishing. It is a time for learning about different things to try, different flies, different casts, how to position yourself to better see and cast to fish.
Ask your guide for advice or just wing it if you are alone. Practice long casts, into the wind, side cast, just practice.
When on Guided Trips:
DON’T BLAME THE GUIDE: Many things go into a good catching day: These can be outside of your or your guide’s control. No guide wants to come back to port without a lot of catches and happy fisherman, but it won’t always happen.
Don’t blame your guide. Somedays just don’t work out well. Most guides work their asses off and they feel worse when you on a slow day. Their business depends on clients having good days: Food to eat, Memories, Photo’s. But if it’s a slow day – don’t blame the guide.
Thank him. Let him know that you know there are days like this.