I really try to go fishing at least once a week. I have a couple rivers so close to me that I can go out after work, fish until dark and still get back before 10:00
Last week we had some friends staying with us and I took them both out so I went out twice. I actually went out 3 times but I forgot my darn wading boots (Dag Nab It! )
Tonight I’m going to either the Bear river, or perhaps down to Yankee Jim’s on the North fork of the American river.
Overall I’ve been able to get out roughly 4 to 5 times a month. I wouldn’t mind doubling that.
With a 2 year old daughter and one on the way - my time on the water has been limited and looks like it will be diminishing in the not too distant future.
HOWEVER - I’m now within an hour’s drive of a really nice trout fishery and the four times I’ve been out so far this summer has quadrupled the number of times I was out on the water in 2006.
I would love to be on the water at minimum once a week…but that’s just not in the cards for the time being.
Most of the really good places to fish (for trout) are a good two or more hours from here. May be it’s time for me to take up fishing saltwater since the SF Bay and Pacific Ocean are less than an hour away. I do have one local reservior/creek I visit regularly so on average I say I fish a few times a months. Most of my fishing is packed into a 3 week period when I am vacationing mainly in the Sierras. Most years I average about 50 day son the water.
I will fish for 10 minutes or 10 hours so I don’t use a lack of time as an excuse. Just last week I fished two totally new streams, (to me) and spent more time getting to them than fishing them. I could only squeeze in 1.5 hours at each place but managed to catch more than a few trout and have a good time to boot!
Having my stuff with me at all times and being organized helps too. I keep a change of clothes in the car and it’s not uncommon for me to change from a shirt and tie into jeans and a T-shirt just to get an hour in someplace.
Having an VERY understanding wife and no kids or pets helps a lot too!
I have two little ones (3.5 and 2 years old). While my days on the water are less than before the kids were born, the times spent fishing with them more than make up for those lost days. It’s a hoot watching them fish and having a great time with it. For those times, I just leave my rod at home and give them my full attention.
With a new daughter, I don’t get out at all right now. Once she’s a bit older and summer arrives, the three of us will get out in the fresh air and I’ll take my rod. Until then, I can tie up all sorts of flies, and catch bigger fish, faster, and with fewer errors while just sitting at my bench!
I feel (and am) fortunate. My boy is 12 and this summer has been the first that he’s really enjoyed going fishing with me and he’s taken up fly fishing as well.
Since late March, I’ve been on the water at least once a week, and earlier this summer, before the heat wave and drought caught up with us, I was hitting the lakes and streams a couple times a week. With the heat and low water, most of the local (less than 1 hour drive) fishing is pretty much on hold and I am heading to the same tailwater Jim mentioned earlier. That’s an hour drive so my trips have been restricted to about once every 10 days. I’m looking forward to cooler wetter weather so that I can get back to the 2X per week plan until it gets too cold to fish.
You guys with the young ones, take them with you now. It’s going to be frustrating and they won’t hold out long, but in 10-12 years, it’s going to pay out. My son and I are heading to the Smokey Mtns. for the second time this year over Labor Day weekend to try and hook up with wild trout again (we went in June and did pretty well). Of course, I really don’t care if we catch fish, the opportunity to get out on the water and share time with my son is what it’s all about.
Do you ever fish the Ice House Road area? When I lived in Cameron Park (Shingle Springs) me and my then buddies used to fish there weekly come rain or shine. Back in the late 70s and early 80s we practically had that place all to ourselves.
One of the cool things about living in NW Washington is that there is always somethng to fish for. Right now it is summer run steelhead, sea run cutthroat and pink salmon. In a month or so coho salmon start and shortly after that the dawgs begin to run. Beginning in Dec. winter run steelhead start and last thru April. At this point trout lakes open and soon bass start moving into the shallows and also crappie. This brings us to June when summer run steelhead starts again.
Oh, what was the question? I like to get out once or twice a week. I don’t always get to go once or twice a week because of family and work but at least the opportunity is there.
Yes it does. I only have to clear it with “the Boss”. :lol:
I’m not familiar with the Ice House Road. I’m just off of the 80 a bit downhill from Colfax. Also, I’ve only started fishing this year so I haven’t yet tried the big rivers like the Feather, or the upper Sac. or Lake Oriville, or the Upper American, or the Truckee . . . . .
I’m a light weight by most standards but so far I’ve logged 16 days of fishing. I’d like to hope before the year is out I can get close to 30 days. Darn job keeps getting in the way, but that’s only temporary! Just 6 years, 3 months and 28 days to go (but I’m not counting)!
Normally about 65-70 days a year, but this year I hurt my neck and have only been out 5 or 6 times, mostly before my injury happened. It is healed now so I can up my score I hope.
On average 1-2 times a week. At least every Friday or Saturday afternoon, and a weekday quickie trip if it can be wedged into the schedule.
Mark, that is great how you record your times on the water. I started my fishing “diary” for the first time this spring. Nothing but a pocket sized notebook at this point.
On average, I would say I get out about 4 times a month. But it sometimes comes in spurts. I might not get to fish for 3 weeks straight but then manage to fish 4-5 times in one week.
Like others have mentioned with little ones, it is a constant balancing act and sometimes fishing takes a back seat. Before my son was born last year I got out twice a week. After he was born I had a drought for a month or so. Then I fished once a week it I was lucky. This year its been once a week, most weeks and maybe 2 weeks with two trips. I should have another little bundle of joy within the next week or two, so I figure that my fishing days are over until my 13 month old (yep, they’re only going to be a year apar!! :shock: ) gets old enough to come along with me. Judging by Mike’s granddaughter Tori, I shouldn’t have too long to wait.
Mark, your records are impressive. But I have to admit that if I had the time to keep those kinds of records and organize them that way, I’d probably just spend that time fishing. 8)
