Okay, I hate to do this....

Conan The Librarian wrote:

And of
course there was that discussion we had about how we so often approach
the whole thing wrong. The next trip I take I think I'll try the "fish
in the morning, return to camp mid-afternoon for some eating/drinking,
get back on the water near dusk" approach.

....and here's where i differ with most about the whole deal. that
mid-day break/return to camp stuff interrupts a fine day's activity.
i've no problem with taking breaks by the stream, but damned if i want
to backtrack to camp or cabin or cafe when i'm in such pretty places. i
always want to keep going, to see what's around the next bend, what
might be in the next run, what the landscape offers, wildlife, quiet,
....away...

jeff

jeff wrote:

Conan The Librarian wrote:

And of
course there was that discussion we had about how we so often approach
the whole thing wrong. The next trip I take I think I'll try the
"fish in the morning, return to camp mid-afternoon for some
eating/drinking, get back on the water near dusk" approach.

...and here's where i differ with most about the whole deal. that
mid-day break/return to camp stuff interrupts a fine day's activity.
i've no problem with taking breaks by the stream, but damned if i want
to backtrack to camp or cabin or cafe when i'm in such pretty places. i
always want to keep going, to see what's around the next bend, what
might be in the next run, what the landscape offers, wildlife, quiet,
...away...

I certainly can't argue that point. In fact, that's exactly the
approach I have taken on my trips to your beautiful area of the country.

My average day on the water was: Get up at/slightly before daylight,
make some coffee, get on the road, drive to whatever stream I'm fishing
that day, hike for an hour or two (or three), fish upstream from there,
re-trace my steps hitting water I passed on my way up the trail, stumble
back to car, drink cold beer, drive back to camp, make dinner, fall
asleep, rinse, repeat ...

But when staying at a place like Elkmont, I could see adjusting my
schedule so that I was back in camp in the p.m., and then back on the
water in the vicinity of the campground until dark.

So I guess a lot depends on where you are staying.


Chuck Vance (and if you're fishing familiar or new water, as well)