The most elusive fly fishing skill (moved from rofft)

Sandy wrote,

Would have been a fantastic day to fish today: was cloudy, snowy and
not all that windy.
Baetis where up every where, thick as a cloud of Big Hole Valley
mosquitos, I know
for sure, because I wasn't there.


Fly fishing involves many skills but the one I most desire, and find most
elusive, is "being in the right place at the right time."

I do NOT believe this is "mainly luck." Indeed, much of my "study" and
effort each season revolves around trying to find the two or three hours of
the day and 1/4 mile section of the stream that will be "best" that date.
That is why I think of myself as a hunter more than as a fisherman ... I'd
prefer to not have to master "non-hatch period" techniques to catch fish,
and from my observations of others I believe I'm far less motivated by
"catching fish" than most anglers. The 'hunts" however, enthrall me.

Years, and years, ago, I chatted in camp with an wobbly old geezer that
"didn't get out much, anymore." He suggested a place, to within feet, and
a time, to within minutes, for me to try, on his home water, but added he
hadn't been there lately, "too far to walk." Nearly, to the second and
exactly to the foot, his prediction came true, the action started, and
fishing was wonderful. I never saw that man cast, or fight a fish, let
alone catch one, but to this day he embodies much of my idea of the "skilled
fisherman." That is the reason I don't move from water to water like most
traveling anglers ... my desire is intense intimacy with a few, not "one
nighters" with the many.


NOTE: re-reading this I don't expect it to be of interest, but it's typed
and Sandy's "because I wasn't there" struck a chord ... so here it is




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