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Unsettled weather - good catching
by: David Coulson 4/13/2012
I’ve come to appreciate the difference between fishing and catching. To me, good fishing is enjoyable time spent on the water. It can be with friends, family, or alone. While catching is always the implied goal when fishing, it isn’t necessary to land a fish to have a great day on the water. Of course there are those “to die for” days, when everything clicks and you have great fishing and catch lots of fish. However, a third situation exists where the conditions are not so great making time on the water physically unpleasant and one that you probably wouldn’t endure were it not for the catching. You know, high winds, bitter cold, pouring rains; those days that “sane” folk stay in and a few unbalanced anglers venture out to fish, not for the “fishing” rather for the “catching.” While last evening wasn’t truly nasty weather, it was unsettled. It was overcast with a threat of thunder storms, and winds, at times downright rough winds. Arriving at Boyd, it was obvious the weather was keeping folks away, with only a couple fishing the normally busy marina channel, and a handful of boats. I even questioned why I was fishing, especially as there was a stiff westerly breeze, meaning it would be a struggle to kick back to the car. But in my heart I knew why, there was a high potential for good catching. Turns out I was correct, as I was kicking out of the marina area I encountered a couple schools of largemouth and for a while I had nearly nonstop action on twelve to fourteen inch fish. Working out to the main lake, the winds died and for a bit I thought I was going to have a pleasant evening. Not so. The winds came up out of the east with a vengeance, bringing heavy waves. Getting back to the car ceased to be the concern, as keeping from getting blown to shore was now the problem. I knew it was rough, as the boats were making a bee-line for the ramp. No longer able to effectively hold my ground and control my retrieves tight to the submerged brush without hanging up, I fought the wind and struggled out to deeper water, a strategy that paid off. The walleye were also active and willing to take my clousers also. While not a pleasant endeavor fighting winds and waves in a float tube, the catching made it worthwhile. Then it was over. The winds died as darkness settled in, and the bite ended. No, it wasn’t the most pleasant evening on the water, but the catching made it worthwhile. On the way home, thinking about the evenings events, it crossed my mind that it’s too bad the evening and weather didn’t last a little bit longer.
 Blog content © David Coulson Member comments Vanish, CO 4/13/2012 11:38:56 AM
I wish I had the same results as you! Fished for about 90 minutes without a bite before going back where it was warm. fishingfreak, CO 4/13/2012 1:20:56 PM
Awesome Dave. I am still looking to getting a FT. and getting out there also. Its tough with gas, and that kills the money for the gear. However catching fish in unpleasant weather is always good David Coulson (Flyrodn), CO 4/13/2012 1:58:33 PM
Knowing the water does help figure things out in bad weather. Love my tubes, even in rough water. Poor man's boat. I bought my first one in 1976, after reading about it in a magazine. At the time Jobe (out of business) was the only brand/model. Got it at Uncle Milty's in Denver (out of business) along with waders. Fins came from Angler's All. Believe it or not, I think I spent close to $300 then to get fully rigged. There weren't many of us using them at the time, especially warm water. I remember boats coming up to me, asking all sorts of questions, not any more! tatonka, CO 4/13/2012 6:28:02 PM
Way to go Dave! Thanks for all the advice on the clouser, I promise I will get some tied up and give them a try soon. jibber, CO 4/14/2012 8:37:47 AM
Nice article. Do you ever fish more than one fly while fishing a Cluser minnow? David Coulson (Flyrodn), CO 4/14/2012 7:04:59 PM
It's rare for me not to fish multiple flies. Sometimes it will be three clousers, other times it will be a mix. Depends on the situation and the mix of species.
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