Chasing Away the Skunk

So the new year hasn’t started off with great fishing for me. Going back to the end of December, I’ve gone several trips without getting a fish to hand. For a variety of reasons, whether it’s pulled hooks, broken tippet, or straight not hooking them, the fish have been elusive. Add chilly weather and cold water to the mix, and it adds up to the worst slump I’ve had in years. Since this isn’t the first time it’s happened to me, and it might be happening to you as well this winter, I’m here to give you a few tips for scaring away the skunk.



The first thing to remember is that like all slumps, it will eventually end. No one hits 100% of their shots, not even professionals. What true pros do when shots aren’t falling is to keep focused and stay confident in their ability. They also go back to basics. For the flats fisherman this means staying positive even when things aren’t going your way and making sure that when you do get an opportunity you make the most of it.



Casting practice: this should be a no- brainer, but many of you still don’t work on your cast and only attempt to cast when a fish is in view. That’s a sure path to failure. You have to keep the muscle memory up and the casting smooth so you don’t ruin the few shots you’ll get during slower winter days. This may mean casting at the park after work, or blind casting off the flat when it’s cloudy. Keep in mind that it’s not about sheer distance, it’s about making quick casts regardless of the direction the wind is blowing. If you can’t make a particular shot in practice, you won’t make it when it counts either.


Knots and hook points: another no- brainer, but the amount of popped tippets and pulled hooks going on out there astounds me. You need to practice your knots until they’re automatic and absolutely, positively won’t fail when you finally hook that monster fish. There’s no more sickening feeling than getting the fish to eat, only to pop the line before you even get it on the reel.



Dull hook points are another silly way to lose fish. Most anglers reuse their flies, but few of them take the time to inspect and touch up the hook point before tying the fly back on. When a picky fish grabs a fly, you have less than a second to set the hook before he spits it out. Razor sharp hook points will ensure you have the best chance for a solid hook up that won’t slip on a head shake or after the first run ends.


Staying positive and keeping things fresh: when you haven’t been doing well, the tendency is to lose focus and give less than 100% effort, especially if the fishing is slow. Luckily for me, I am extremely persistent (stubborn) and when fishing is difficult I become grouchy and try that much harder. But for most people, you need something to keep you interested in the game until the action heats back up. This might be getting a new piece of gear, casting a different line, or trying some new flies. If you’re into tying, it might mean creating something different than your usual go-to patterns. It might mean using a new material or looking up different patterns online and incorporating a new technique. However you go about it, it’s something to keep things fresh and interesting even if the fish aren’t cooperating.


Most importantly, keep telling yourself that THE SLUMP WILL END! It might take until March, but it will end! Seriously, the only way to end the slump is to keep taking shots and believe in yourself. The game isn’t really that hard, it only is if we make it so. If you truly believe that the next fish will eat, eventually it will and you’ll get to chase that skunk far, far away. Aloha


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