Like most other die hard fly anglers, I spend about 95 percent of my time chasing trout on local rivers and streams. During the spring after the long winter layoff, coupled with the appearance of large lake run trout, there simply are not enough hours in a day to drift nymphs and egg flies to satisfy my fly fishing compulsion.
As summer progresses and the waters warm, this fly fishing impulsiveness turns to dry fly fishing the plentiful hatches we are lucky enough to have in our area. When the weather begins to cool once again in fall, the salmon and steelhead start to make their annual spawning runs where we target these aggressive fish by stripping large streamers. Even to the most dedicated of fly fisherman, keeping up this type of fishing schedule is not easy. By the time late summer hits I know that I usually feel burned out from spending so much time on the river. You know it's bad when you have a hard time getting motivated to line your rod standing on the banks of the river.
The one thing that I have learned is that changing things up and taking a break from your usual methods can really make a difference. In my situation, fishing four to five times a week is given but doing something other than trout fishing with a fly rod has become a necessity. To be honest I have never been much of a trolling fisherman. I have done it sparingly over the last 20 years and thought it was just too boring. These last few years I have increasingly spent more time on the big lake chasing whatever wants to bite. Since Lake Superior is so big trolling really is the most effective way to cover a lot of water and catch fish.
I am not saying I am ever going to lay down my fly rod for a planar board but when the bite is on for pike, walleye or smallmouth I dedicate my time there. Taking off two weeks or so at a time from the river rejuvenates me. I get to the point where I can't wait to put my waders on and roll out a dry fly to a rising fish. I get it that not everyone has the equipment to get out and troll when they want to but you could do a day pan fish fishing. Bluegills and sunfish are a blast to catch and make one of the best fish fries you will ever have. The point here is too just find some other type of local fishing opportunity that you can enjoy and relax with. In most cases over time you will have some much fun with these other types of fishing that they become a staple in your life just like real passion, fly fishing.
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