Over thinking it.

Paul_

Paul_

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Sometimes (a lot of times) I over think my approach to fishing lakes. I fret about what flies, line types, techniques… When in all reality all I need is a type 3 sinking line with a leech, a bobber rod with a balanced leech and catch a lot of fish on most occasions.

I’m going on a road trip to a famous lake and wanted to pair things down.
I failed (it’s only 13 fly boxes and 9 different line types. I’m stressing I need a few more for the just in case…😂)-
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The conundrum of the travelling angler. Take to much stuff and its a PITA hauling it around. But sucks like heck to get someplace and say "damnit I should have brought .....". I err on the take as much as I can reasonably pack around to get to where I am going. Rather have it sit in the truck or lodge for a week and not use it than stew on the side of the river/lake/flat pissed I left it home!
 
Tim L said:
Hey Paul,
I can help. Narrow to this and leave the rest home 😉:
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For years I carried way too much stuff...and spent too much time changing flies and lines...which seriously affects time actually fishing.

Nowadays I have three rods rigged aboard my kayak; one with floating line (mostly for slightly subsurface as well as hanging chronies under an indicator), and the two others with an intermediate and type III...and a reel in the truck with type 5 sinking (seldom used). Much smaller selection of flies that I know to be effective, and mostly switch those same small group of flies to different lines to present at different depths.

Usually when none of that stuff is working I notice that most of the other folks on the lake aren't having much luck either...and when trout feel like feeding, and the action us hot, I think where they are hanging out (depth/location) very often trumps pattern. A fishfinder vastly simplifies answering that question.

And, after over 52 years of work, I can have a truly excellent day floating on a mountain lake without experiencing a single strike.
 
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I take more than I need most of the time. I use to leave my rod reel set ups outside leaning on the car overnight while tent camping in eastern Washington. (Plus other gear/things) I don’t do that anymore.
 
troutpocket said:
Spare rods, lines, reels, waders, footwear…I overpack when I travel, for sure. My reasoning is less about being unprepared for the fishing and more about being able to continue if I break some of my stuff.
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With three nearly identical 5 wt 10' flyrods on hand on every trip I don't much worry about breaking one of them....and comfort myself that as a youngster with only one flyrod and a shitty level line that kinda floated I still enjoyed many a fine day of fishing.
 
krusty said:
and comfort myself that as a youngster with only one flyrod and a shitty level line that kinda floated I still enjoyed many a fine day of fishing.
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Memories. "Got your rod & fly book?"
 
Jim F. said:
Memories. "Got your rod & fly book?"
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As a kid I had a steel 'True Temper' telescoping flyrod with a red rubber handle (much like the one that @iveofione talks about)...heavy as hell....and lusted after the newfangled fiberglass rods, but stuck with re-finishing and re-wrapping new guides on the jumble of old split cane flyrods my grandfather kept in a big bin in his garage. My old man gave most of them to his drinking buddies.

Finally got one of those yellow EagleClaw flyrods...which my trusty dog prompty bit the butt section in half on a backpacking trip when I was 14...the old man would dump me and a buddy off in the woods for a week at a time. A great time frying small creek trout and frog legs in lard.

Too this day I have absolutly no interest in vintage bamboo...and think graphite and modern lines are an absolute miracle.
 
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When I retired I went and sold a lot of gear. It paid for a 2 1/2 month long fishing trip throughout the PNW.

My adage: If it does not fit in my bag, I have enough.

I am down to 4 rods and 3 reels which all share 9 spools. For flies, 2 fly boxes that fit in my vest with two backup compatmentalize fly boxes; one for wets and one for dries.

If I need more, I buy it from a local shop.
 
I caught fish on 6 different fly rods this weekend. I’m in the more is better camp. Type 7 for the win.
 
Crap, I just watched a video on the lake I’m going to and they were doing well on Callibaetis nymphs and Fab’s. I don’t have many of those. Off to the vice I go…😂

Seriously though, I would get bored if only 1 fly worked all the time. When it does I usually change it out to see what else works, or not.
 
I dunno. I usually hit a lake with one rod with two back up spools: Intermediate, floating, and a fast full sink (type 3 or my current 5/7). Fly line choice depends on lake depth and the season’s water temperature. If I really want to be fully girded, I’ll bring along my 4wt for dedicated chironomid emerger fly action.

More often than not, despite how others are doing, it seems often possible to do as well as anyone with the right presentation with most of whatever flies you have to use with the line you have on. Until that doesn’t work at all. Check my Leech Lake post from July. 80% to 90% if the anglers stayed stationary, but I went mobile and modified my presentation—and went big.
 
I find what is most important in fishing is what you know and are comfortable with. Changing tactics and techniques mid-stream only leads to a disappointment. On a local water, try a different technique while fishng a tried an true succesful approach.
 
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