How many times have you done or observed something worth while when fishing and forgot about it hours or days later? Then rediscover it months later all over again? I got tired of relearning things over and over a while back and started keeping a fishing journal. At first it was simple, keeping stream that I fished on what dates, water conditions, water / air temperatures, and hatch activity. But they were too ridgid for me, I wanted flexibilty.
Once I started keeping a journal other observations started creeping into it like hand drawn maps of locations that hold fish, under cut banks, deep pools and so on. It was unruly and pages and notes would some how become missing. There had to be a better way, I purchased a nice hard bound fishing log book and it had its draw backs and then I wasn’t able to find any more books. On a trip to Michael’s with my daughter so she could pick up some art supplies, I spotted a hard cover sketch book, nothing but BLANK PAGES!
I now had a way to capture fishing locations, stream bottoms types, driving locations (for us geographically challenged) and most importantly... lessons learned and tips.
How many times have we talked to another fly fisherman about a pattern, stream holding spot, or how to fish a trico and the best times, only to lose that information later on? I started putting it to paper, a few weeks ago I wanted to hit a stream in western PA I haven’t fished in a while and before I departed I checked my journal and I had my driving directions, various hot spots for this time of year, and PLAN B. yes, if the stream was too low or too high I had a back up stream location within a short drive.
White Fly season in mid August on the Yellow Breeches, the Allenberry section of the stream is a nice spot at dust into night. Kettle Creek Hexagenia hatch in the mahogany color with black spent wings with orange legs works really well. The information placed into a journal doesn’t have to be earth shaking revelations, a simple drawing of a new fly pattern used on a particular stream.
I even go to mapquest or one that I think is outstanding, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Live Search Maps
Web browser and Live Maps are incompatible=
(Pulaski, NY on the Salmon River) This on line map has the “Bird’s eye view” which for most areas of the country is outstanding.
Maybe a little hard to read, I have heen scribbling on this Salmon River map for a number of years now, I have mapped out all the Salmon and Steelhead spawning and holding areas that I learned, what areas are best fished when it is 750 cfs, 1400 cfs, 2200 cfs. I even mark where I observe guides stop their drift boat and fish.
Just about all my PA streams that I like to fish have this feature and it is very helpful tool for finding back ways into good holding spots. Ways into those spots, and where to park, get gas, or food.
Keeping a journal isn’t for everyone, but when you travel to a good number of different streams every year, it does help with the learning curve for each one.
Keeping a journal on the computer is easy and fast. Like in the photo taken last year at Camping in the Smokies Campground, I do use a computer to write and draft a lot of my material. With my Sprint card I am able to still communicate with the outside world if needed, or look in on NEFF.
But to me there is no better feeling than to sit with a blank page and a fine quill pen and write. I derive so much enjoyment from the experience of fly fishing and writing about those experiences.
Sometimes the old way is the relaxing way in this fast paced and stressful life we all share.
I may have gotten carried away, but I even have one from my last years trip to the Smokies and was ready for this years entries.
As always, hope this may help someone out there.
AK Skim
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Once I started keeping a journal other observations started creeping into it like hand drawn maps of locations that hold fish, under cut banks, deep pools and so on. It was unruly and pages and notes would some how become missing. There had to be a better way, I purchased a nice hard bound fishing log book and it had its draw backs and then I wasn’t able to find any more books. On a trip to Michael’s with my daughter so she could pick up some art supplies, I spotted a hard cover sketch book, nothing but BLANK PAGES!
I now had a way to capture fishing locations, stream bottoms types, driving locations (for us geographically challenged) and most importantly... lessons learned and tips.
How many times have we talked to another fly fisherman about a pattern, stream holding spot, or how to fish a trico and the best times, only to lose that information later on? I started putting it to paper, a few weeks ago I wanted to hit a stream in western PA I haven’t fished in a while and before I departed I checked my journal and I had my driving directions, various hot spots for this time of year, and PLAN B. yes, if the stream was too low or too high I had a back up stream location within a short drive.
White Fly season in mid August on the Yellow Breeches, the Allenberry section of the stream is a nice spot at dust into night. Kettle Creek Hexagenia hatch in the mahogany color with black spent wings with orange legs works really well. The information placed into a journal doesn’t have to be earth shaking revelations, a simple drawing of a new fly pattern used on a particular stream.
I even go to mapquest or one that I think is outstanding, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Live Search Maps
Web browser and Live Maps are incompatible=
(Pulaski, NY on the Salmon River) This on line map has the “Bird’s eye view” which for most areas of the country is outstanding.
Maybe a little hard to read, I have heen scribbling on this Salmon River map for a number of years now, I have mapped out all the Salmon and Steelhead spawning and holding areas that I learned, what areas are best fished when it is 750 cfs, 1400 cfs, 2200 cfs. I even mark where I observe guides stop their drift boat and fish.
Just about all my PA streams that I like to fish have this feature and it is very helpful tool for finding back ways into good holding spots. Ways into those spots, and where to park, get gas, or food.
Keeping a journal isn’t for everyone, but when you travel to a good number of different streams every year, it does help with the learning curve for each one.
Keeping a journal on the computer is easy and fast. Like in the photo taken last year at Camping in the Smokies Campground, I do use a computer to write and draft a lot of my material. With my Sprint card I am able to still communicate with the outside world if needed, or look in on NEFF.
But to me there is no better feeling than to sit with a blank page and a fine quill pen and write. I derive so much enjoyment from the experience of fly fishing and writing about those experiences.
Sometimes the old way is the relaxing way in this fast paced and stressful life we all share.
I may have gotten carried away, but I even have one from my last years trip to the Smokies and was ready for this years entries.
As always, hope this may help someone out there.
AK Skim
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