Am I the only one out there who has suffered from “The Case of the Quickly Caught First Fish” (TCQCF²)? I doubt I am. And I doubt there is a statistical analysis formula capable of determining the odds of QCF².
From a distance, I see the trout rise. I approach the water with respect and caution. The trout is wary and it does no good to storm the bank, splash into the river and flail the water. I must approach soft of foot and light of hand. Gently easing into the water, I am now in trout’s realm.
Another rise.
I silently pull line from the reel then swish the rod tip back and forth to feed line out without letting it touch the water. Measuring each cast against the last riseform until the fly gently settles six feet above the trout.
Again the rise. On my fly.
A swift lift of the rod tip sets the hook. I quickly land the trout, then gently release it.
What happens after this QCF²? The next few moments may be the critical juncture that decides the remainder of the day’s fishing.
I turn in Dan’s direction, who is still on shore, out of sight and awaiting the verdict.
“Did you catch one?” he asks.
“Oh yeah, that was easy. We’re gonna slay ‘em!”
Is this a time when the Fates intervene and give the angler his comeuppance for such a brazen outburst?
Or does the angler decide his own destiny by making some sort of change in tactics or delivery—some type of carelessness creeping in because of the familiarity he thinks he suddenly has because of the QCF²?
Or, let’s say the angler is alone, says nothing, thinks nothing about this QCF². Is there still something in the subconscious that causes a letting down of the guard—an ever so subtle shift?
Or is it just statistical probability keeping the odds in balance?
I thought it was just me. It seems like catching a fish in the first few casts is a death knell for the rest of the excursion. It is a very bad omen indeed.
Anthny, And you’d think I’d learn by now, but nooooo….I still get faked out every time thinking it’s going to be a great day of fishing.
Maybe some kind of sacrifice to the fishing gods is required when a fish is taken so quickly- and we are being punished for not paying tribute.HLT
Now all we have to do is figure out the correct sacrifice. Any ideas?
Well – I just sacrificed a Nikon Digital camera to the river gods on my last trip. I’ll let you know how that works out.
Ouch! That should easily give you a couple of years worth of good graces from the river gods.
I swear that you are on to something here Scott. This happened to me not once, or twice but THREE times on Monday. I went to my favorite westslope stream and bam fish on the first cast. Afterwards it was a struggle to catch a fish for the next 1/2 mile of stream. After I went to a redband stream and the fishing was crazy for the first 1/4 mile. Then as if a switch was flipped it totally died. It turned out hear that WDFW had just electroshocked the stream making the fish a little relucant to feed. The next spot I caught one fish in the first pool and every single other fish came off beforeI could get them in. Totally crazy day…
It’s the fish gods–they are after us!
BTW – I have all of the pictures gathered. Just have to put some sort of data together for Mr. B. I’ll be at Henry’s Fork until Sunday, so won’t be getting anything done until I get back.
Sounds good Scott, if you could send the ones that Dan got of my fish to me when you get back as well, that would be great. I am just waiting to see if his turned out better than the ones I have before posting a trip report on the blog.