This post is one that I have been thinking about writing for a while but yesterdays post reminded me of it.

With a lot of the things we do, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it, this can be the case in fishing but not always. No question, taking the time to stop and fix the flaws in your cast will overtime pay benefits. Or learning how to reach cast will without a doubt overtime payoff but, there are several uncontrollables that are ALWAYS hanging over your head. Just some of these may be fish population, weather, tide, clarity, and the ever-present reminder that in the end, they are still fish and unpredictable in nature.

I think this is why I sometimes feel that the more I know, the less I expect. I think guiding has exposed me to such a broad variance in conditions that I realize how much of a "needle in a haystack" game that it can be at times. I've had days when it seemed that no wrong could be done and you could still get em, other days where you try and try, good casting, good presentations but the fish acted like fish and you still struggle for a grab.

Steelheading . . . . . . . . Miles and miles of river chasing a fish who has swam across an ocean and returned to its river of birth. Challenging yes, impossible no but sometimes you are dealing with a tiny number. Who the hell am I to think that my step and swing approach should bless the presence of a resting steelie. Then said steelie absolutely couldn't help but sample the ridiculous offering that I fussed over and screwed around with to get the colour combo right. It's kinda crazy when you think about it but it is a fun game that we play.