First Quarter Results

  Whenever something goes wrongs, responsible people always say to look at the bright side of the situation. It's been a dark winter for many reasons, but let's try it out, that bright side thing I was talking about.

  I've fished more days through April than I ever have before. I can't lie though, I've had the same results fishing that I could of had not fishing. And as far as I know, that's not how it should work. But what I lacked in numbers, I made up for in other areas.

  Firstly, I have learned (and still am learning)the basics to fly fishing.  I can now talk to fisherman about wooly buggers and egg patterns like I'm part of the cool kid's club. Regardless of the end result, it always feels nice to learn a new skill.

  I wouldn't have learned as much as I have if my cousin didn't hook me up with his friend from back home. This kid shares the same name as I do (I could have named this post Zac Attacks but I didn't because that would have been stupid and the 5 people who read this would probably never read it again all because of a stupid title. It just wasn't worth it.) Anyway...

  I've never formally met him but after quickly talking though introductions, I learned we actually played football against each other in one of the most memorable rivalries I've had growing up. You're lucky we never played that tie-breaker Zac!

  He taught me what I needed to learn and gave me the confidence I was looking for. But most importantly, I've got a new fishing buddy and you can never have too many of those.

Showing me how it's done.

  So far, I've learned a new skill and made a new fishing pal, not so bad. This bright side of things is actually working.

  But yes, the fish (trout) weren't cooperative this far. My Dad has been more fortunate though and has caught multiple fish multiple times. In this picture, he was the trend setter of King's Creek that night. No one was fishing this spot but after he caught a few, he now had friends fishing next to him trying to cash in on his find. To be more specific, they weren't his friends (I sure hope not) but looked more like the creepy characters who sit on their porches with shotguns in horror movies. Good job Dad!

 

 

  After a long depressing bought of stubbornness, I finally gave trout a rest and went to what I know best, Bass. I didn't catch anything that large but that didn't matter. It was the therapy I needed to rejoin with the experiences I've had growing up: the woods, the smells, the ponds, the ticks on my neck, etc. It never gets old.

First Bass on a fly

Keychain Bass

  So to put things in perspective, I got my butt brutally kicked so far this year. Kicked to the ground again and again, but I know it's only going to get better. All these growing pains will give me a better chance at making sure they never happen again.