The Trifecta For Fishing Solitude

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The Trifecta for Fishing Solitude. Photo By: Louis Cahill

It seems like every year it gets harder and harder for me to find complete solitude on the river.

Solitude is not a necessity for me by any means, but when I’m blessed with it, I find it does wonders for purifying my soul and improving my fishing game. Time seems to stand still when I’m in complete solitude on the water. Every fish I land with no one there to confirm it but me, seems to add further reward and satisfaction. There’s no competition from other anglers, it’s just me and the fish. This allows me to open my mind, think clearly, and get in a zone to fish at my best ability. I don’t care what pace I’m fishing or how much water I cover while I’m out. I just take one fish at a time, like I’m challenging each of them to a game of chess. But to be frank, it’s not even about winning or losing. It’s more about taking in the big picture and understanding why I’m out there in the first place; I love to fly fish.

Over the years I’ve developed a betting strategy I call the “Trifecta for Fishing Solitude”. Although gambling never offers us sure win bets, searching out and placing these three bets in order when possible, usually pays out plenty of solitude on the water.

Bet #1. Fish off the beatin path

Being lazy and choosing to fish water that’s easily accessible generally will bring you company instead of solitude in your fishing. Hiking into difficult terrain is great but you don’t always have to go that far. Sometimes all you have to do is search out stretches of water with steep banks/canyons, thick foliage or even spots where the road moves away from the stream. Fishing off the beatin path can offer you solitude even on some of the most heavily fished waters, so don’t overlook it.

Bet #2. Fish During Weekdays

Find time in your schedule when possible to go fishing on a week day when most people are stuck in the office working. I shy away from fishing the weekends since they allow everyone time off to go fishing. You’ll find angler numbers at there lowest levels during the week and solitude will follow.

Bet #3. Choose Nasty Weather Days to go Fishing

Only the die hard fishermen are willing to brave the elements during rainy/snowy, windy, and cold weather days. Most fishermen pass on bad weather days and this will increase your chances of finding solitude on the water. My buddies and I regularly plan week long trips to blue ribbon trout water during the coldest times of the year because we know most people aren’t willing to freeze there ass off and fight off freezing gear to catch fish. I also like to fish the day after a big rainstorm. Many places get blown out but some will remain fishable and you’ll find most fishermen will write the day off and stay at home. My favorite thing about fishing nasty weather days is often you won’t even have to fish off the beatin path. Many times you’ll find the best stretches of water that hold the biggest fish, will be void of fishermen.

Be the First to Leave Foot Prints. Photo Louis Cahill

Adopt this trifecta betting style if you’re looking to search out more fly fishing solitude. It works for me.

 

Don’t forget, entries for the Gink and Gasoline Fly Fishing Photography Contest are due by midnight on Wednesday the 7th so stop your Christmas shopping and get in on your chance at some sweet gear!

Kent Klewein
Gink & Gasoline
www.ginkandgasoline.com
hookups@ginkandgasoline.com
 
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7 thoughts on “The Trifecta For Fishing Solitude

  1. I felt it necessary to shoot you a message and let you know that your blog has made the last three months bearable for me. I’m a US Marine, currently deployed on a ship in South America. At the same time I’m an avid fly fisherman, born and raised in North Western Pennsylvania, however I am currently stationed in North Carolina. It pains me to be in a place as beautiful as the Eastern coast of Central America and to have no capacity to wet a line. Its things such as your blog that make looking at all that crystal clear blue water tolerable until we get home.

    I also wanted to thank you for what your doing, fly fishing is an amazing sport, and one that I have grown to love, from poppers for bass on man made lakes back home, to cold water trout in December, to bluefish on Clouser minnows off the jetties in North Carolina. Your work makes it easy for me to day dream of simpler times, chasing wild rainbow trout in frosted Allegheny tributaries, my dad up stream, my grandfather down stream, all trying to outdo one another. The competition never mattered; it was the feeling that made those moments so memorable. The connection with nature, with the water, with my family, and with any luck some fish, is what makes those memories so fond.

    As a photographer for the military, I’m bummed I wont be able to get anything in for the photo competition, even the photos I have of the beaches in Central and South America haven’t been cleared for release, let alone contain any fish or fishing. Perhaps ill catch the next one.

    Keep on living the dream, and tight lines!

    • Tyler,

      We cannot tell you how great it is to hear from a United States Marine who’s not only an avid fly fisherman but also a professional photographer. We salute you for your service and thank you for protecting our safety and freedoms.
      Hearing that Gink & Gasoline helps make your time overseas bearable is the ultimate compliment and we Give you our word that we’ll continue to supply you with five minutes of day dreaming each day if it helps you get through your stressful day and resurface fishing memories with loved ones.

      Thank you for following us and stay in touch Tyler.

      Kent Klewein

      • Kent, thanks for the ongoing blog. I look forward to it everyday, and I realize how much effort is involved in posting something on a daily basis.
        Here in coastal Georgia, solitude when fishing is still relatively easy to come by. Some days require a longer skiff ride or an earlier start, but when I want some quiet time on the water it is available. Time in the marsh alone is rejuvenating and special. I notice things around me that I would never see with too many other fishermen around.
        Quiet, peace and solitude are a great part of the fly fishing experience for me.
        Thank you again for your efforts.

    • Tyler,

      That comment is a true gift to us. Thank you for that, and thank you for the sacrifices you continue to make for all of us here. I am honored to have you as a reader. I wish you a safe tour and a speedy trip home. If I’m lucky, maybe one day I can net a fish for you!

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