the end of the leaves signifies the end of fishing
Periodically (every few years or so), I find my passion for fishing wanes temporarily, and I actually worry about whether or not I’m all that interested in fishing anymore. It’s kind of weird, but why should I worry about it—if I no longer am interested, so what? But that usually only lasts a couple of months, then I’m ready to hit the water again. I’m not really in one of those phases right now, but with the onset of winter, my preoccupation with school, etc., I did have to take a couple of minutes and reflect on whether or not I was going through a little phase.
It’s been a few weeks, but the last of the fall fishing was a great few hours on the Cub River. Dan and I got into a fair number of cutthroat. The river was quiet. With most of the leaves having dropped it opened the river up, making it feel more expansive than summer fishing. Hardly any canopy and a nice sunshine kept the river well-lit with that sparkle a low-slanting sun provides.
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
I find myself taking fewer and fewer pictures of fish when I go out. I usually try to take a shot of one fish (just to prove I caught one?). If it is an exceptionally colorful fish, I’ll snap a shot, but otherwise, I’m just not that interested in taking the time to photograph the fish. I find myself taking more shots of the river and surroundings (although I didn’t this last time). I wonder if this says something about me as an angler? I really don’t need to prove anything to anyone else, so why even take one? I’m sure if I caught a “big” fish I’d want a memory of it. Or something unusual about a fish or the catching of one that I’d like to remember I’ll take a shot. Although I have also thought about taking a photo of every fish I catch, but I’m not sure why I’d do that.
So, for those of you who take pictures of the fish you catch, why do you take pictures? And for those of you who don’t, why not?
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
i kind of lose interest this time of year as well, but it only usually lasts a few weeks then i’m ready to go again
Sounds familiar. I usually get a real hankerin right smack in the middle of the winter doldums–kicks my butt pretty hard too.
This year I don’t want to let go of fishing. I’ve got a few steelhead trips left in me I think (sometimes it’s hard to get out there in the cold though).
In general though, I’m in pre-hibernation mode. Eating too much, doing too little. Hunkering down in general. In a way it’s a relief. There’s no pressure to get out and enjoy the nice weather. If I want to stay inside, drink coffee and read sci-fi paperbacks, I don’t need to feel guilty about “wasting” beautiful weather.
Thanks Anthony, now you made me feel guilty–the weather has really been quite nice (hovering around 40), so no excuses not to get out there. Maybe if there was some steelhead water this direction I’d be out there? I guess a lot of it is just that end-of-the-year mindset: “It’s November, time to stop fishing!” As the global warming (or whatever) keeps extending the season temperature wise, I’ll have to readjust my mindset.
I’ve become a fair weather fisherman. Since I like getting them on top and the trout seem more willing to do that in the warmer months, I put the rod away for a while. I used to go in the winter for whitefish with nymphs and I actually feel like doing that a little more this winter, but for the most part, I hibernate.
As for the fish pictures. I take them for evidence that I can catch. I, like you, find that I am more and more interested in the surroundings. I am seeing more in the landscape–and feeling more. I’m not sure where that is coming from. I find I use the word sensitive more. I know it goes against the grain of the “true” macho outdoorsman image, but I’m finding (in my own fishing) that it’s not “as” important to catch fish. Enjoy you winter, and good luck with the school work.
The first fish I caught on my own flies were whitefish right below the powerplant at First Dam. It was in January. Every now and again (every few years?) feel like catching some whitefish for old times sake. I’m definitely not the “macho” fisherman either (I can’t quite get into the Hemingway mode when I fish–old Papa would laugh me off his boat if he saw the little fish I get excited over). Thanks for dropping in Robert.
The beautiful winter season is just getting started! That is my take on things at least. I will be drifting flies when I can on the meager open water that man creates but I’ll also be out on the ice with flies being offered through a hole. Winter is really one of my favorite times to be on the river. No one else is around and the scenery continues to produce those “WOW” moments. Sometimes you even stumble onto some trout.
I really enjoy taking fish pictures because the biologist in me finds the spotting patterns, individual fin structures, and body condition fascinating. All your training tells you to look at the population as a whole and not get hung up on the individual… but I can’t help it.
Sam, Thanks for not abandoning me when I took my little break!
I don’t mind the winter so much, but I tend to rather take the camera than the rod in the winter. I’m like Robert, more of a surface angler and the opportunities slim down for that kind of action in the winter. I like that reason for taking the fish pictures and I’ve noticed I’ve taken a lot more of the closeups in the past year for that very reason. I love the fine stippling of spots–the big ones are nice too, but when you zoom in close, there are all sorts of tiny dots. Fin color is great with the light just right. Maybe we can start a whole new genre of fishing: “Angling As Art.”
I have to admit, I struggle with taking pictures when I’m out fishing. For one, a lot of the time I am alone and juggling rod, net, fish, and camera feels a bit like a recipe for a drowned camera. Second, I guess it just hasn’t been a priority for me, but now that I’m writing a blog I feel a bit more inclined to get a picture just so I have a few visuals for my web pages….and I’m not so sure thats a good reason!
Hi Rebecca! Thanks for dropping a comment (and actually talking to the question I asked–dang those other guys who can’t follow directions
). I take a little point-n-shoot slung over my head and left shoulder (I’m a righty) so it doesn’t get in the way. I tuck it inside my waders on the left side. It’s fairly easy to unhook the Velcro strap on the camera case and slip the camera out for a closeup (I tend to do more closeups these days than grip-n-grins). I really don’t notice it much anymore, although there is always that fear of me tipping over in the drink (it’s my wife’s camera, so the fear of repercussions have kept me out of the water thus far).
Visuals for the blog. Good reason? Hmmm… that’s a good question. I do like visuals, but I like photographs in general (I belong to our local photo club). If I wasn’t interested in photography, I probably wouldn’t take nearly as many shots, especially just for the blog. But I actually find joy/peace in stopping the fishing for a bit and composing some shots, especially if I’m fishing alone–it seems to enhance the fishing experience for me because I pause to take in the surroundings, or admire the beauty of the fish, etc. A little heightened awareness for me, I guess.