Took a day off work and went fishing with ABA, the dancing queen, (XGolfman for those who don't know) today. He decided to chuck feathers and brought out his Abel reel and Sage rod (This guy is a pro! Or at least a gear ho!
) I drifted gear as usual. Normally we meet in Abbotsford and carpool but today, I came out early in the morning myself and ABA was going to join me later, as he likes to sleep in. So, I headed up to the first spot and worked the water from about 6:00 a.m. Beautiful morning, although it drizzled off and on. Water clarity was 2-3 feet with green tinge. Saw one fairly colored steelie rise in the fast water but it was much further then I wanted to cast for. I kept working the water with roe while waiting for ABA and then worked some water further down. No ABA. I then came back up to my first spot and worked my way through again with with a spinner, and then down to the next spot. No ABA. Lit up a cigar, sat down for a bit and waited to let the run rest for a bit. No ABA. Started fishing again with plastic worms through the first run and then down into the next run and who finally shows up? ABA!!!! Turns out he took his time, slept in, had a personal hygiene issue and took a shower before heading out the door. And he also stopped at Reaction too.
Anyways, ABA had brought the aforementioned gear. Now, knowing next to nothing about flyfishing I was really interested in everything ABA was doing as I intend to start in the near future. What I do know about flyfishing though is that it's very complicated stuff when you're brand new. I also know it's a bit more finicky than gear fishing because of the finesse involved. What I didn't know was how much work it really it. I had to hold the rod while he threaded his line through his guides, help stretch the line that attached to another line that was tied to some other line, put his reel cover in his back vest pocket and then some more of the same. Many times over. I never knew that flyfishing required a caddy! You never see it on those flyfishing shows. Hmmm.....
Anyways, after I was finished being ABA's little fishing b*tch, he started fishing. Watching him cast his line out is like watching....someone casting a fly line. The only thing was, his line would bunch up into a tangled knot, then he would swear and mumble something about, "Should've cleaned the fly line. It's dirty that's why it's tangling up." and some more really choice words. Since this caddy wanted to protect his delicate little ears, he wandered down into the next run and started fishing again. My float did go down once, a few headshakes and *poof* nothing to show except a mangled worm.
Saw another steelie in the fast water where i was but he must've moved on because no matter how many times or what I cast into that area, I had nothing to show for it. This one too was already green backed. Then we decided to have lunch and hit another part of the river further down. Water clarity was still excellent but water levels are definitely on the way up. Smoked a couple more cigars and otherwise thorougly enjoyed the day.
The trip home was a nightmare. Bridge traffic was backed up to 200th and crawled slowly from there. So now I'm home tired and waiting to watch tomorrow night's game.
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Topic: Chucking feathers, drifting gear and the joys of a good cigar April 26th, 2007 (Read 3123 times)