Learning fishing from the Pelicans...
Interesting experience today float tubing on some lakes near the Laramie River in N Colorado--our first time there. Got there at 2PM, already a bit worn out from fishing another lake in the AM. Had 4 hours of decent fishing, and I netted 4 nice fat browns, 12-14 inches. The whole time, half a dozen white pelicans were watching from shore in a big group, and providing raucous commentary on our fishing skills, or lack thereof. They stayed together right at water's edge the whole time.
Exhaustion finally set in around 6PM, with tired, cramping legs on all the humans. We had not seen any rises all afternoon, except for some tiny rainbows right near shore. As we kicked back toward the truck, we noticed the pelicans starting to disperse around the lake--the first time we'd seen them move around.
By the time we got our belly boats hauled up to the truck and our waders off, the pelicans were agitated, and covering lots of area, alternately flying and paddling around. ABout 7:30, pushing 8.
Right about then, a dense midge hatch went off. Trout were rising everywhere, starting with little ones flipping out of the water, then followed by big 'gulps' as the monster browns in there started coming up.
We could barely walk from stiff legs, and were rigged for damselfly nymphs and leeches on sinking tip. We finally decided to NOT gear up and launch the boats again--too tired, and too much time needed to rig for dry flies and get the waders and flippers on again.
But, DAMN, those pelicans had it nailed! They knew exactly when the hatch would be coming off, saved their energy until then, and had a feast. We watched in awe from the bank as they worked the lake.
Needless to say, next week when we return, we'll keep this lesson from the pelicans in mind. We are fishing catch and release, and they are fishing "catch or starve."
Pictured below is Ken, with one of the little ones us humble humans managed to catch. 16 inches.
Reply With Quote