Northwest Fishing Reports

As I get a lil older in life I find myself not fishing so much when the weather isnt optimal.I am allready to go on Sun morn with a friend. When I get out to look outside its drizzling.So I say lets wait to see what the weather does.Am I wussing or playing it safe or maybe both??. After having that crud for 3 weeks I just cant afford to miss work.So now everytime its not clear skies I chicken out.Is this just an over 50 yo thing or just me. My boat offers no protection from the rain or cold. No top no heaters.Am I just being way over cautious ? Howmany others my age or around my age that feel the same? Perhaps its just me.

I don't usually fish unless it's nice out. If it rains after I get out there, no biggie. I've lived long enough, done enough, to do what I want, when I want, if I want, or DON'T want to. :-)

Beside, the cold and wet isn't good on the arthritus, and it hurts.

I must admit, I have become a fair weather fisherman. I worked outside for so many years in all kinds of weather that I don't care to be exposed to extremes anymore. I've worked outside in -25º to +125º, in wind, rain and snow. AMX makes a good point, arthritis does come into the picture. So if it is raining and cold, I don't go out. If there is a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, I'll head out until the weather changes for the worse. Sitting in the cold rain all day isn't anything I want to do anymore. I'd rather sit home at my tying desk, listening to music and twist up some new fly patterns. Besides, the fish will be in the lake or river when the sun comes back out.

I'm a younger guy, and I'll fish snow, rain, sleet hail, I got the gear for it though. When I'm geared up it doesn't matter what the skies throw at me I'm warm and toasty. I am getting less enthusiastic about fishing when the water conditions are not ideal though, used to be it didn't matter what kind of odds I had I was out on the water. Now, I want to increase my trip to limit ratio, so if they won't be biting as much, I'll stay home.

Before I retired the only days that I had to fish were Saturday and Sunday. So, regardless of weather, I'd go fishing. Not always where I really wanted to go, but fishing was fishing. Now I can pick my days, weather, specie, location, etc. Now if all of the unemployed guys would find work things would be great. Cold weather and arthritis in my right hand don't get along well. So I have learned to pre-rig everything that I can. Plus I've learned that spending a bit more money and buying top of the line outdoor clothing and foul weather gear really makes outdoor life more enjoyable. This morning I put in an early shift on a salt water beach for steelhead. Nada for me but I helped release a beautiful nate for another angler. It wasn't cold or windy, just a steady drizzle. Definitely was a lot better than just rolling over and going back to sleep because it was wet out.

You're definitely wussing out lol jk. Kind of reminds me of my dad. When I was little he was the one that would have to get me out of bed to go fish and turn the lights on and shake me for 15 minutes. Now that were older, I'm the one that has to try to get him out of bed early in the mornings to go out and fish.

Sit in an open boat in the cold and rain to catch a couple little fish? Hehehehehehehe Ralphy you crack me up! God no! Now if you were going after some big springers or metal maybe. Even totally geared up in the finest rain gear, gloves and toasty socks...... It's still raining on ya and water is getting into the coffee, turning it cold. Nope if there's not a roof and a heater, I aint go'in. Life's too short to be miserable.

I will fish in any kind of weather as long as it is safe to do so. If the snow has the roads unsafe to navigate the trailer I won't do it, if there is lightning I won't do it, and if the waves get over 3' I won't do it. Just gotta know your limits. There's no problem with being a "Fair Weather Fisherman" it just leaves the water open for us die hard fisherman during the rain and snow.

Matt wrote: There's no problem with being a "Fair Weather Fisherman" it just leaves the water open for us die hard fisherman during the rain and snow.

You'll promise to leave a couple of fish for us, won't you?

I do have to admit, one of my best days on Amber was fighting white caps and the temperature was in the mid 50's. But that was about 15 years ago when my legs and arms were stronger. Now fishing in that temperature, my hands get so gimped up it is hard to tie on a fly.

Marc Martyn wrote:

Matt wrote: There's no problem with being a "Fair Weather Fisherman" it just leaves the water open for us die hard fisherman during the rain and snow.

You'll promise to leave a couple of fish for us, won't you?

I do have to admit, one of my best days on Amber was fighting white caps and the temperature was in the mid 50's. But that was about 15 years ago when my legs and arms were stronger. Now fishing in that temperature, my hands get so gimped up it is hard to tie on a fly.

Hard to TIE on a FLY??! Try CATCHING them in those waves and wind!

I'm 49 and I fish in any kind of weather. I fish from a tube even in 38- 40 degree water, wind, snow, rain...whatever. I cant tell you how many times I've had a lake all to myself...I love that feeling. I understand why some don't due to just being uncomfortable, etc. But man...I gotta fish!

BassDood wrote: But man...I gotta fish!

Hi, my name is Matt, and I am a fishaholic.

When I was younger I would fish in any weather at any time for as long as I could stay out of the house. Now..... if the wind is cold or it's raining hard and or the wind is blowing in my face........................... I will rethink about my options... more often deciding to stay home or walk about.

Maybe I'd fish more if I still had rain and or thermal wear for the blucky weather factor but I'm spending the limited amount of money I have on things I need.

That's a good point, especially with the higher cost of gas. I've held back a couple of days to go fishing, knowing the weather will improve and I can enjoy myself more. Nothing spoils a day of fishing more than to sit in uncomfortable weather conditions, catch just a couple of fish and realize you spent 1/3 of a tank of gas doing it.

When I lived in Washington, my parens would say "Hey, were goin to the Skokomish River tomorrow"
The next day, they would wussy out just because it wasnt clear skies, and it wasnt even raining.
And there only 35, so dont feel like a wussy.

I ended up going on Sunday. Now its Monday and I hurt good all over. My neck and back are tweaked but Im ready for another outing.I remember fishing up north in nasty freezing weather. Sometimes out of Dutch Harbor the boats were totally iced up.No thanks That I dont need at 57 yo. Its not the age as much as the miles Ive put on.Most of you thank G-d have not been under the knife (surgery) but I have a few times.You feel the old scars hurt in really damp weather.All the broken bones I've had all hurt like hell in dampness. Oh well.
Matt youre not a Fishaholic ..."youre a fishing BEAST" LOL.You really need that tee-shirt that says "The Fish Fear Me".Hahahaha.I cant wait till y'all hit the 50 and over mark.I may be 70-80 by then but I will laugh my a$$ off seeing all you crippled middle agers.......Good luck everyone and G-d Bless.

Well just for giggles here is my fishing records for ONE LAKE the past four years;

'07 - 29 trips
'08 - 47 trips
'09 - 37 trips
ALL three years fishing from March to Oct.

Now for '10 I fished from March to Aug 25th. I had no money for gas to get to the lake for Sept and Oct, and no gas in the boat anyway, and STILL fished 57 trips . You know some of those HAD to be in the rain. Just don't like it anymore. :-)

I don't always go fishing in the rain, but when I do, I do so in a boat with full canvas and a heater.

Stay dry my friends.

I am a teen and i fished through a tornado warning. A tornado actaully touched town 5 or 6 miles away. I didnt know though cuz i forget my cell. Parents were mad. Caught a couple nice bass still though.