My "Mancation" officially starts tomorrow. I've been tying flies, re-lining reels, patching waders, and a million other little tasks so that I can spend a week away from home and hopefully not have any major gear failures. This years goal.....To finally catch a steelhead on a dry fly. I've been dreaming of big slashing surface takes all week. I've been trying to prepare myself mentally to NOT strike on the take. That has been my downfall while trying to fish surface flies.....The take. I'm not sure how you teach yourself not to react after hours of boredom, watching that little fly plow it's furrow across a tailout for the zillionth time, only to have a 6 pound fish try to crush it. It's kind of like having the doctor hit your knee with that little hammer, except you don't know when he's gonna do it. Your sitting in the lobby of the doctors office reading a popular mechanics magazine and the BAM! he hits you square in the knee with that stupid little hammer.....How do you not react to that? Knee-jerk is a fitting description. I'm thinking ropes and duct tape might be the ticket to a flailing rod arm. Hopefully I don't have to resort to those drastic measures.
Whatever happens, I'm sure I'll have a great time. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new acquaintances.......A good, clean mental detox at the absolute best time of the year!
Please note......I'll not be able to fill orders until I get back. Sorry for any inconvenience this might cause. Later!!!!