Adapting to the Current

This is a follow up to last week’s post about change. The mention of the word usually makes me cringe, but I have had a lot of exposure to change lately and my tolerance to it is improving. In fact, my new surroundings have catapulted my fishing in new and exciting directions.

Lately I have been scouting out several different spots, looking for that perfect hideaway that holds fish but not the attention of other fisherman. This means I have to get off the beaten path. This also means I will most likely sacrifice size and quantity of fish, but that’s ok. I am happy to get a line in the water!

After a couple of unsuccessful outings I went back to the drawing board and developed a new plan. I emptied all of my trout tackle out of my fishing vest and replaced it with all of my micro-bass tackle. The goal: stream fishing for smallmouth bass.

To reach these smallies one must get out into the water. Thankfully this April evening was rather warm, so the cold clear water felt refreshing as I waded up stream. This trip was part fishing and part reconnaissance. I was fortunate to have caught one little feller and spooked a decent looking fish out of its hole while I was retrieving a hung-up lure.

Having caught one fish, I consider the night a success. I saw several others and got to know the structure of this particular stretch. There are several holes with laydowns that are perfect hiding spots for the ol’ bronze backs. I am certain I will be revisiting this stream in the very near future.

Through the years I have learned that the best fisherman are those who can adapt to the changing conditions. Those who are persistent, think outside of the box, and use their intuition are those who find success. All too often anglers seldom stray from their favorite lures and wait for the conditions to be right. Life has made sure in this case, that I am not one of those men.

So I adapt to the changing current. Just as I learned the riprap and sandy water of the Cedar, I am learning the rapids, runs, and holes of the Indian. It all takes patience and practice just like anything else. Fishing, like life, is a journey. It is in the journey that I find satisfaction.

Sometimes Change Just Happens

Change is one of those things that I am not very fond of. Unfortunately change sometimes just finds us and there is nothing we can do but make the best of it. Well, change found me recently and I no longer live among the rolling fields and herds of deer.

A few months ago I relocated to a somewhat urban area where I currently share the same vertical space with some quiet neighbors. I am thankful for the fact that they are quiet. The one exception being the gentleman above me who is a lumberjack by night.

Fortunately, the metropolis that is my new home was built around the same river I have been bothering for the past 16 years. I am happy to have found several parks that very much resemble my former home, and this has eased the transition considerably.

With change comes the need to adapt. Circumstances are such that I will be bank-bound for a while, so I have been scouting out some nearby streams. Rumor has it that one of them in particular has some good smallmouth fishing.

So for the time being, I will be putting my medium weight baitcasting rod down for my ultra-light spinning rod. I even plan to break out the fly rod and waders in the near future. I once went fly fishing for trout in the Driftless Area streams a few years ago and am anxious to try that type of fishing again.

Just like the river, our lives are always changing whether we like it or not. One thing is for sure, change takes us in a new direction and challenges us. Who knows? You might find new opportunities that you had never even thought were possible.