TR ... random not quite thoughts

I drove over to my 'localist' river, the Stanislaus, today for a couple
hours of fishing. Today was bright, sunny, and warm enough I saw two
convertibles with the tops down. Although "nice" this isn't good news,
California desperately needs more rain and snow.

As you might expect the nice temps had the locals out along the river more
than normal but on a Thursday that means more than nobody. The water I
fished had been covered before I got there by a spin fisherman ( it's C&R
barbless only water, but not fly only ) and he reported getting two tiny
trout, not great encouragement, but heck I was there at that point.

I decided I wasn't really going to work too hard at the fishing and put on a
pair of soft hackles, and swung them in a more or less classic style as I
worked my way down. I never got a fish, or even a bump I'm positive was a
fish.

I did see several beat up and dying salmon in a couple places and an egg
pattern was probably called for, but I don't normally have any and didn't
today. I also saw a few little baetis hatching but never saw a rise ....
a #18 PT would have made more sense than what I fished, but I really have a
hard time enjoying bobbicater nymphing. I was in a mood to enjoy more than
conquer

I quickly remembered why the bad arthritis in my ankle makes me like
freestones a LOT less than I used to, I could barely get around even with
the telescoping wading staff my kid gave me for X-mas. Tonight I'm
hurting from the round rock ankle twisting abuse and I can barely walk to
the bathroom to pee.
Today, I forgot the ankle braces that I usually wear wading and my Rx
strength ibuprofen so it's largely my own damn fault.

Tomorrow I think I'll go to a different local river and float around in my
WaterMaster.