I geared up to do some Striper fishing on the American River. Got a new reel, 10# test line, some new Zara Spooks, and a new Rattle Trap. With excitement in the air, I left home before dawn for the hour drive down to Sacramento. Had my coffee, MP-3 player, and my equipment. I ready to rock and roll.
Took the Jackson Highway (Hwy 16) into town and turned right on Watt Ave (crosses the American). Instantly I was jammed in traffic due to construction. It was a 3 lane to 1 lane merge on one of the busiest streets in the city. I wasn't able to get out of the lane I was in for almost an hour. I only moved about a block in that hour. I finally wormed my way over and took a side street, then another, and finally ended up where I could access the river. Now it was about 7:30am, the sun was up and I was already an hour behind schedule.
Got to the river access at Watt and drove up and down the parking lot looking for a place to fish. Every one was overgrown and fishing would have been impossible without getting snagged repeatedly in the bushes. I blew out of the parking lot and crossed the river heading for Harrington Access, where I first tried for Shad. It was close and I knew the river there.
They say the best fishing for Stripers is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Early morning was gone, but I gave it a shot anyway, since I was there. I fished for about an hour and decided to move again. This time I drove over to El Manto Access, where I also fished for Shad. High bank and deep pools, a lot of swirls, eddies, and whirlpools. Should be a good place for stripers to hang out.
Grabbed the rod I had set up for Stripers and one I had set up for Shad and began the walk to the river. Figured I could try Shad if the Striper thing didn't work. The walk, I'd gauge at about 1/3 of a mile. Got there and realized I'd picked up the wrong rod for Shad. So, I spent some time throwing out Zara Spooks and Rattle Traps on the Striper rod. Hard to manuver the lures on such a turbulent surface, got tangled in green slimy stuff, and I finally got disgusted , grabbed my rods and tackle, and went home.
So much for Striper fishing, at least for now.
Till next time, remember:" A bad day fishing can be a bad day, sometimes".
Shoreman
Shoreman - sometimes those frustrating, no fish days are the ones we remember. My trip out to the Delta last December was brutal - freezing cold, stripers were no shows. But I DO remember it! (Jeez - I just realized that I am now complaining about the heat AND the cold. I must be getting old)
ReplyDeleteWolfy
Momma always said there would be days like that. Reading about the traffic and all the trouble you go through just to wet a line makes me remember why I left. I spent part of my childhood in Sacto right next to American River College. Learned to fish there.
ReplyDeleteTight lines
I think everyone has that kind of a day every now and again. I can't remember how many times I've made the half-mile hike to my favorite fly fishing spot just to realize I forgot my fly box in my Jeep. It happens to the best of us!
ReplyDeleteAgree with the comments of the others above, and, would like to add a couple of insights that I use when I have had days like this. They are:
ReplyDelete"Sometimes the fish win"
"You can sum up a bad day of fishing in just one word. Ya' never know!"
Thanks for the sympathy guys. It's not often I whine, but sometimes it helps. Nice to know I'm not alone when things go South.
ReplyDeleteMark (Shoreman)