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Great Skunk
by: David Coulson 7/25/2010
Yes, yesterday I got skunked, although if you count fish encounters it was a baby skunk. I did lose a fish, but none to the boat. Still, it was a great day. While getting skunked and having a great day might seem like an oxymoron, it’s not. Sometimes we forget that while fishing is about catching fish, most of us probably wouldn’t keep on fishing if that was all there was to it. Most of the time, I’m content to grab a pole and head out to the fishing hole. In reality however, I much prefer to fish with others. So when I came up short a fishing partner for Joe Wright Reservoir this weekend, I posted such on the FxR plus forum (maybe another reason for being an FxR plus member, or not). I got a response, but not what I was expecting. BITE ME (Jim) sent me an email indicating I’d be welcome to join him Friday at Cherry Creek or Saturday at Aurora to fish for walleye and that he’d be trolling with bottom bouncers. Friday was out, the boss has this thing about me showing up for work. Saturday worked and I agreed to meet him and Nightstalker (James) at 5:30 a.m. at Aurora. He agreed it was alright to bring my fly fishing gear, even thought we both knew fly fishing on a boat trolling would be a challenge. Getting up at 3:30 to shower, hit McDonalds for breakfast and make the hour and a half drive wasn’t the highlight of the day. But I made it on time, almost. I forgot to factor in getting past the park’s entry station. As many know, my rig always has a full complement of gear, including waders, and a float tube. Aurora inspects all tubes and requires a lake permit for all watercraft. Error on my part not taking the tube out as I wasn’t going to use it, but I was not arguing with the inspectors or gate folks, it was my mistake, not theirs. So it cost me a few minutes for the inspection and an extra ten bucks for the watercraft permit. Lesson learned. Meeting up with Jim and James we loaded the boat, launched and went fishing. Jim is an outstanding fisher and knows his stuff. Not just trolling which is a recent addition to his arsenal of fishing skills. We spent the morning working various areas, playing close attention to the graphics. Jim and James primarily worked a variety of trolling methods, including the favorite, bottom bouncers. Me, I was bullheaded and persisted in tossing flies to no avail. They caught fish, I caught squat. But that was my choice as Jim was quite willing to rig me up with effective gear. Lesson two is that it is difficult to catch fish with flies while others are trolling deep. But that was OK by me. I made a choice and I’m happy with it. But it also illustrates that there are many ways to catch fish, and if catching is your goal then you need to go with the flow. The final lesson it that it is possible to have a great day on the water and never catch a fish. Jim and James were great company and sports about allowing me to toss flies with three in a sixteen feet boat. Even after they finally put me in the front as I had become a safety hazard. Fortunately there weren’t any mutterings from James about hearing from his attorney after one of my errant casts! And to top the day off I had the privilege of meeting other FxR members including FOM (Kevin). It’s true I got skunked. Still I wouldn’t trade the day fishing with folks such as BITE ME and Nightstalker for any fish, as catching isn’t the only reason to fish.
 Blog content © David Coulson Member comments HeavyC, CO 7/25/2010 4:06:47 PM
Epic!
HC Out! FISHRANGLER, CO 7/25/2010 5:04:02 PM
Jim Is a great guy..He lets me on his boat... I also got to meet Nightstalker today..So you probably had a great time,fishing with the two of them... Nightstalker, CO 7/25/2010 9:25:04 PM
No doubt about it we are blessed with every opportunity to get out and enjoy our favorite challenge. Catching fish with any tactics that will accomplish the goal, whether it be flailing flies, tossing jigs, or trolling cranks/livebait. If we caught every time out the challenge would be diminished and our appreciation could dwindle. It was great meeting you guys and hearing your stories of fishing adventures experienced. Getting out there enjoying the challenge and then hooking up is all a bonus. We dont always catch. We dont always meet great people either. Thanks for your comments David!!! You and Jim are both class acts with great knowledge and love of the sport. BITE ME, CO 7/26/2010 6:42:05 AM
It's always nice to fish with people that don't have to catch fish to have a great time. Time in our great outdoors is a reward in it's self that some seem to forget Coyute, CO 7/26/2010 8:26:20 AM
As many quality fish as I've personally see you catch this year Dave, you deserve a little skunk stew! hehe. Looks like a fun time had by all. Grats. ObsessedFisherman, CO 7/27/2010 1:39:12 PM
Super cool love the article. Bite me has a great reputation and nightstalker is always helping others on this sight very cool man. Glad you wnet with them.....
Truly a great site and I am honored to be a tiny part of it as well...... Met some great folks like the Proton and Fishrangler and Jumbo, PBS and many others........
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