Fishing with Friends

And catching some fish

Really enjoying the unexpectedly warm weather lately. Crazy to see it almost 80 degrees, but we sure could use some rain as the creeks are getting pretty low.

Had the chance to fish twice with some friends (one each trip) and it was a pretty fun and chill experience. Usually, when fishing alone I am moving fast and tight lining.

Instead, on both trips, I stayed close to my friends and tried to offer some help with their fishing exploits. They are both great men and improving fly fishing anglers.

The first trip was with my bud Matt. We went out early on a mountain stream and the bite was…not on. Matt, beating out the skunk first thing, was into a 2 inch minnow in the first run and then we were on the struggle bus the rest of the way.

Thank God he caught that minnow. It was so beautiful though.

We had some opportunities, but missed our hooksets.

We lasted a few hours and then the cold propelled us back home.

This morning, I got out on a different mountain stream with another friend (Jeremy) and the fish were more active and we were slightly better at setting the hook. I caught a few and Jeremy had one.

This was my first wild rainbow and it was so beautiful. Jeremy and I were fishing Tenkara style and while he was frustrated at the requirements of being a better caster in this tight pocket water…he definitely improved as the morning progressed.

We headed out for lunch at Mission BBQ and it was a great day. Finished up with a strategic phone introduction of him to another friend of mine and fellow angler George on the way home. Went so well we are all going to have lunch together when George is up here for a private client event of mine in a few weeks.

I really enjoyed watching and trying to help my friends out (even if they might have just been tolerating my advice). There is a distinct pleasure to seeing them improve and have success. The last hour or so I was just watching them and not even fishing.

Pretty cool to be in that place of mind and to enjoy their company so much.

Are you getting out on the water with your friends?

All the best and tight lines,

Mike