The Upper Sacramento: 43 Degrees, And Filled With Underachievers
By Tom Chandler on Apr 5, 2008 in Fishing Report, Upper Sacramento
Fly fisherman don’t experience hope as a powerful emotion as much as a permanent character pathology.
Though the fly fishing’s been slow, we all know it could turn any minute, and if things pop into high gear when you’re at home and someone else is on the river, you’ll suffer the indignity of knowing you’re a lazy slacker, bereft of grit or staying power.
That’s how — despite a stretch of bad fishing on the Upper Sacramento River — Dave Edmondson and I found ourselves far upriver, fishing a section I rarely see.
Sure, we didn’t catch any trout, but we looked pretty damn good doing it.
The results, sadly, were predictable; despite going "ugly" right away (I never touched a dry), neither Edmondson nor I made anything happen in the trout department.
This time, my pocket thermometer registered a chilly water temperature of 43-44 degrees (it was 47-48 degrees at the bottom end of the river).
That’s not an auspicious number, but then, I’ve seen trout eating BWOs in lower water temperatures, so the cold doesn’t excuse their lackluster performance.
Apparently, these trout aren’t grasping The Big Picture.
Damnit, I’ve got a blog to fill, and those slacking trout are denying me my Colorful Trout Photographs, or even fly fishing’s hoariest staple: the Puffed-Up Hero Shot.
Despite the non-cooperation of the trout, we’ll keep trying. Until then, see you on the river, Tom Chandler.
FH | Apr 5, 2008 | Reply
Good to know I’m not the only one that blames fish for having an overdeveloped interest in self-preservation.
“…but we looked pretty damn good doing it.”
At least the day wasn’t a total loss. I’m sure that part took a lot of effort.
Smellslikefish | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
Underachievers?! I resemble that remark!
Mark Ostrom | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
We’ll send in our “boys” to teach those unionized, uncooperative trout a thing or two! They’ll be saying
“how high?” to our “JUMP” soon enough!
… there is NOTHING as irritating as “Talent” being a problem to their very PROMOTER!
damn trout.
Rick | Apr 6, 2008 | Reply
Hey Tom,
I was going to put this on your Engagement Principles blog, but fishermen are way more fun than ad types, (I was one of the latter, but it cut in too much to my time as the former). Anyway, it seems that Chuck Norris can help with anything, and it seems he has more time available these days.Maybe he could help on the Sac
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdD54rG9oQA
Best,
Rick
Tom Chandler | Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
FH: On-stream fashion is (of course) critical, and the subject of an upcoming TU post.
Smells: I, uh… wait.
Mark: Frankly, you still frighten me.
Rick: I think that Norris thing was fixed.
Mark Ostrom | Apr 7, 2008 | Reply
Frightened of me? Good God!
I’m as innocent as a little lamb frolicking in my meadow!
Frankly, I’m hurt. No, I’m really hurt, no angry, no really PISSED, no, no, it’s more like BERSERKER RAGE! WHY YOU…
I’LL….
er…
ahem—
why would you ever say such a thing? ;—)