Getting Skunked on The Sipsey Tailrace

 Guys, a bad day of fishing beats a good day of yard work. I generally agree, but after my trip to the Sipsey Tailrace last Tuesday, I might add a little footnote: It's even better when you actually catch a fish! On this particular outing, I managed to do what every fisherman hopes to avoid but eventually experiences — I got skunked! Not a single fish landed, and not even a solid hit to give me a little encouragement. But before anyone questions my fishing abilities, let's look at what I was up against.

The conditions on the Sipsey Tailrace were about as challenging as they get. First, the water was exceptionally clear, almost crystal clear. While clear water can be beautiful to fish, it can also make trout extremely cautious, particularly when they have plenty of opportunity to inspect what is floating past them. Then there was the sunshine. The sky was bright, and the sun was shining directly down on the water. With no cloud cover to provide relief, conditions were difficult. Bright sunlight combined with exceptionally clear water can make trout more sensitive to movement, shadows, and anything that doesn't look quite natural. The water level was also extremely low, creating another challenge; to add even more, there were fewer trout to fish for, meaning the stocking had occurred fifteen days back and most of the trout had been washed down the tailrace. The trout had less water to work with, and the usual holding areas and current seams were not what I had hoped to find.

I realized that a trout’s feeding behavior and energy needs change in the fall and into the winter months; they generally become less aggressive than during warmer periods, but that doesn't mean they stop feeding, so getting them interested in a fly can become much harder. I did manage to see a couple of trout rise, which got my attention and gave me hope that things might be about to turn around; no such luck! I stuck to my plan before my first cast, knowing I had to be patient and that I'd have to try numerous flies before one got their attention, but that didn’t happen. Sometimes the fish win, and looking back, I think this trip was a combination of all the conditions I have mentioned. Any one of these conditions can make fishing difficult. Put them all together, and you have a pretty formidable challenge.

But that is part of what makes fly fishing interesting. We don't always get to choose the conditions, and we certainly don't get to tell the fish when they should be hungry! I may not have connected with a trout today, but I did get another day on the water, enjoyed the surroundings, and came away with a few more observations about fishing the Sipsey Tailrace. Besides, getting skunked gives me another reason to return.

My next trip is already on my mind!!