Spring is in the Air

Even if you live in a state with a year round open season, "Opening Day" has a magic about it, fueled by short days & long winter nights, topped with anticipation of good things to come. Today was in the 60's here and the air felt like it does 3 weeks into the season.  We had less than an inch of rain during the entire month of March which is all good until you realize that despite the fine weather today, the rains will come and the water will get murky and you really won't see much activity other than 20 x as many guys on the water as you will see in a few weeks from now.

The best opening days are spent fishing slow & deep (actually the best are enjoyed by the bait boys). On low clear water i tend toward a small black stone fly which is good for the first week or two, or you can always go with a bead head or a bugger. If the water is high, but you might want to steer clear of fast or deep water until you get your legs back even if you work out in the off season (which i really don't).

The last few years i have spent a lot more time watching the water and the other guys than fishing, it seems to be more productive and is even starting to be fun. I have taken a few dips early in the year and while not as scary as a fall or winter splash, you tend to be less able to get yourself out of trouble.

4 years ago i was on a local river that i very much enjoy though it does not have a good reputation. What it does have is several remote sections away from the road which generally provides some peace and quiet and a few holding impoundments a long walk from the road. I enter at one of the most trafficked spots (looking for easy stockers and a short walk). Well sometimes knowing a river too well is a dangerous thing and i misjudged the water level (high), the current speed (fast) and lost my footing near a very large old growth tree with a root ball that extended in to the water to create a great scour.

I was wading strongly and thought i had things under control, until i hit the scour, the water went from 3' to over the wader tops in a heartbeat the current quickened as the lip of the scour broke away. It was the first time i would go floating (w/o a boat). the depth of the scour grew to several feet below my submerged 6' and i felt danger for the first time, so i swung my feet to the downstream side and angled for land paddling frantically as i went. Between the low temperature 40' and the effort (try it some time) i quickly grew tired and just barely managed to reach some brush along the bank  to catch my breath. Just below this spot was what looked to be an easy take out, a tree with its roots cascading into steps leading into and hopefully out of the water. As it turned out the depth was at least a foot below my reach and as i hung on i found rather than getting rested i was growing more tired and shorter of breath. It might have been the cold or that i was now genuinely scared. In any case i know i would have to make one lunge for the roots and pull out.

Once on land it occurred to me that this was a close call, my heart should have been pounding (it was not), and now that I was out, i had a good story to tell. Today i am much more aware of my footing, of breaking loose and of the consequences. Not because i care about my life (which i do) and not even because i care about my family (which i do) but really just to get those few extra days unhurt to spend them fishing. To see nature and immerse your self in it is amazing especially when the car is just down the road.

So set your priorities, enjoy opening day, oh yeah and be courteous, to the old guys who came before us, the new guys who don't have a clue, the kids, dogs and other realities of life.