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Who's Bummed... and Who's Already Giving Thanks?
And so we reach that penultimate time of the North American flyfishing season... when most business has been wrapped up, our raccoon-eyed tans are starting to fade, and all that's left are those all-too-precious days when we locals (and the beyond-sick die-hards) get our last licks in, and wonder, "If they'd only been here to see this..."
So my question is simple and straightforward: Who, among you, guides or otherwise, has packed it in, and who's still pluggin'... and are you grateful or sad, having done so?
I think back to my lifeguard days... many years ago... when the best waves always happened at the end of the season. I always fancied "the Hook," for what's that's worth... and for the first person who can tell me exactly where "The Hook" is, and why they call it such... well, I'll send you a $200 fly rod for your effort.
Man... I'm going to miss this fly season. But this has been a very, very good one. Who's still crankin', and who's now thankin'?
Deeter
Deeter I don't want the rod but I am fishing for the rest of the year, to me, if I can get a fly deep and keep it slow I can get them. Hell, I threw a clowser minnow and bounced it on the bottom today and got 6, and its snowing. My season is far from over, plus you have all those great places to travel ( not to mention all those cheap deals due to air line miles.) You don't have it so bad, you have options, I have to freeze my butt off to get some fishing in.
Posted by: Alex Pernice the fly rod winner | November 16, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Aw, bud, you know you're already hooked up, minus the "hook" answer. Though I admire the "far from over" attitude.
And here you are... slugging it out with those fish...
What we need for the freebie is for someone to man up and explain "The Hook" ... jeez ... that's easy. Am I the first guy to snag a ride on the kelp there?
Posted by: KD | November 17, 2008 at 12:07 AM
The Hook... Santa Cruz, California, so named because of the thick kelp beds in the surf break there. Sweet wave... tight ride. Right, on, Deeter.
Posted by: Drew | November 17, 2008 at 12:17 AM
I believe you are referring to the Sandy Hook in New Jersey.
At first I assumed it was called that because it was hook shaped, but I looked it up and apparently its because the Dutch first called it "Sant Hoek" meaning "spit of land".
That's my guess.
Posted by: Fat Guy Alex | November 17, 2008 at 12:29 AM
Boy.....I was thinking fishing not surfing, thats funny. Drew 1, Alex 0.
Oh, and down here in Arizona, the fishing never stops, baby!
Posted by: Fat Guy Alex | November 17, 2008 at 12:46 AM
The winters arent that bad here in eastern MD. My fovourite stream is a tail water so trout fishing stays decent year round. As for the Hook, I dunno, a spot in the surf where the waves create a riptide due to a channel in the sand ? We call it under-toe here. Though I am sure you are reffering to one of the mentioned spots in Cali.
Posted by: JoeG | November 17, 2008 at 07:52 AM
table rock lake branson, missouri.
Posted by: bubbaman44 | November 17, 2008 at 11:27 AM
I spent the weekend working nice browns and native brookies. GL Steelbow season is just starting and the limestoners run all winter.
Posted by: Ramcatt | November 17, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Here in NE Arkansas, there is no slow down. I will be fishing throughout the winter, cold does not bother me at all.
Posted by: Cole | November 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Since the water is now 45 degrees I spent the weekend chumming up Carp and did pretty well,they would not move unless chummed up.
Posted by: Eric | November 17, 2008 at 04:22 PM
ummm, i dunno. i just got to argentina where it's spring time. i'll be fishing thru april/may, just in time for caribbean fishing.
Posted by: joey | November 17, 2008 at 05:53 PM
Still at it, Clinch River Sunday, bows and browns - it's that sweet time of year when the water temp is greater than the air temp
Posted by: JK Smith | November 17, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Sandy hook ? Was out there last week, flyfishing for stripers and blues. hammered them all morning too. Jusy me and 50 other boats.
Posted by: Jean Earnest | November 18, 2008 at 04:53 PM
clear,low water,sight fishing some nice fish,and everyone else is skiing leaving you with some good empty stretches of solitude.
Posted by: jerry k | November 18, 2008 at 07:39 PM
I personally fish all year long it dont mater if its 20 below as long as the rivers arnt iced over you can still fly fish!!!
Posted by: | November 24, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I personally fish all year long it dont mater if its 20 below as long as the rivers arnt iced over you can still fly fish!!!
Posted by: | November 24, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I personally fish all year long it dont mater if its 20 below as long as the rivers arnt iced over you can still fly fish!!!
Posted by: | November 24, 2008 at 09:09 PM