To me, fishing is a solitary pursuit, and I'm a pretty solitary guy. I like the flexibility of only having to worry about myself, and always fish alone, usually on waters that no one else is on.

However, I've had a few occasions over the last year where I found myself fishing in the midst of other fishermen, in some cases no more than 5-10 ft between us. A very interesting thing happens and the lessons learned, even how i think about fishing, are long lasting.

First, anyone that gets the opportunity should do this, to see what I'm talking about.

When you are fishing and not catching anything, you can chalk it up to any number of reasons, and not feel too bad about your self. When everyone around you is catching fish and you're not, it's you. Subtle differences in equipment and presentation make a big difference.

Nothing like being in the midst of people using different tactics to learn very quickly exactly what works and doesn't. This rapidly changes your ideas on "confidence" baits, and gets you to do things you normally wouldn't.

The comaraderie isn't bad either. While I dislike crowds, I really enjoy fishing side by side with other fly fishermen, if nothing else, just to gauge what I do differently or where I can improve.

TLDR: I got freakin' skunked by white bass yesterday, while people around me were getting them.

I have BTDT* as far as everyone "catching but me". After a while one starts to wonder about a lot of things....

thank you for your point of view and insight.


(*Been There Done That)

if you got skunked white bass fishing, the chances are very good that your fly never reached the fish; theyre not like crappie always lookin up; the fly has got to get down to them; #1 reason for not catching when you know theyre there #2 reason is fishing too fast; s-l-o-w- down-p-

Brushy,

183 to 973 Saturday?

this is part of why I love TFF (and probably why I get skunked on the Red River below the dam so often)

I was using essentially the equivalent gear and flies, and using the same type of retrieve. Varied fast/slow, didn't really matter. Granted I got there when the bite turned off, and no one was really slamming them, but still, a 2 hour long dry spell? Inconceivable. I typically slay them when no one else is catching.

Short answer - yes

Sent you a pm

I have an indelible memory of fishing at the Lake of The Pines spillway next to a guy who was catching a crappie every time he cast out. I was throwing everything in my box at them and never got a sniff. Never been so miserable in my life. Truth be known I had the wrong gear for crappie that day. Never again. It was a GOOD lesson.

A lot of times I bring both conventional and fly gear...just for the times you mentioned. I have not had much luck with crappie on my flies...but the catfish won't leave my flies alone.