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Anticipation can be a good thing, or if you are getting ready to place that
final cast, not so good. We call it the 'anticipation cast' - everything is
going great and then you put a little something extra into it and the cast
fails. The fix is don't change anything, just let go of the line.
Anticipating the strike isn't good either. It most often happens with dry flies
where you can see the 'take' or in very clear water where the fish is visible.
The result on that one is usually taking the fly right out of the fish's mouth
before it has had a chance to close his mouth. The fix? Wait for the fish
to turn before you raise your rod tip (or on large fish, line-strike the fish).
I've spent hours watching the fish in my little pond feed - and 99 times
out of a hundred, once the food is in the fish's mouth the fish turns and
makes a dash for cover.
Anticipating a trip is priceless! Not to be discouraged at all. The downside
is the pile of stuff which absolutely HAS to go is growing. Since we are flying
from Sea-Tac airport in Washington State to New York, this can be a problem.
The flies are done, sorted, treated and ready. The same for lines, leaders and
leader material. I'm still waiting for one rod to show up, because I really
wanted to fish it out in the Catskills. The broom must go, always a packing
problem. A couple other rods, 3 and 5 wts . . . and since we plan on doing
some teaching, probably one 6 wt, the rod pile is growing too. I think the
total is 6 plus the broom.
That leaves clothing, and we try and travel light. Nothing fancy, just fishing
stuff and something decent for a meal out. We will bring a couple warm
jackets too. I suffered hypothermia a few years ago, in JULY fishing at
night. Since we plan on night fishing on this trip the turtlenecks and the
warm jackets go too. And then there's the waders, breathables so not
so bad. But the wading shoes are big and clunky. Hmmmm. Oh, with
us 'older-than-dirt folks' there are the meds; another small bag which
doesn't get packed in the bags sent as luggage, I hand-carry that one
in case any bags are lost.
One thing not going this time is the computer! No lap top this time. (Which also means
I won't answer email for a week!) I will take a note pad 'tho, and write
down my usual snippets. Those snippets end up as articles here on FAOL.
There will be last-minute things to do. We will make the new week
changeover (which is usually done Sunday night) on Saturday night the 21st.
The following issue will go up when we return, either late Sunday the 29th
or Monday the 30th , depending on how beat we are when we get home.
Bear with us, we will try to keep everything on schedule.
For those attending the Fish-In with us, do bring your camera - we will do
several pages of photos from the various activities! (Well, that's more to
pack here too!)
Aside from the packing, there is real anticipation at going! I need to go fish!
I love meeting our readers. It is great fun putting faces on the names we see.
I have not been to the Catskills, and there is famous water I want to see.
Catching a fish would be icing on the cake, just being there and seeing
it for myself is the important part. I want to walk where the great old fly
fishers walked. And you can! I want to sit on a stream bank and imagine
Charlie Fox or Theodore Gordon fishing their favorite pool. The Catskills
are the home of American Fly Fishing, and I want to go 'home.'
When the next issue comes up, watch for a little sign on the front (main) page.
There will be a NEW issue, but JC and I will be 'Gone Fishing!'
~ LadyFisher
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