When you're a trout junkie like me and haven't really been in a place to find them since mid-May, well, it does something to your state of mind. It's unsettling, I'm off-kilter. I think I've got a case of the shakes.
Doesn't matter much that you live in Florida, home to endless saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities. Those waters are devoid of trout. I could be called a species snob, but it's not necessarily the fish I'm after, it's the surroundings, the therapeutic experience. It kept me balanced. What I do know is that a handful of opportunities a year isn't going to work.
Social media doesn't provide much of an escape. When you curate your "friends" and "follows" around your primary interest, the constant flow of brookies, browns, & rainbows swimming in the virtual photo stream quickly goes from gratifying to grating. Like? Love? Retweet? Ugh...
It's definitely worse this year than the prior three. I don't handle cold turkey well. Has Pennsylvania been three years already? Wow. Can't believe it.
For now, a long Smoky Mountain weekend in October is the light at the end of the tunnel. Although pinning so much hope on a few short days of potential probably isn't the best recipe for true satisfaction. As easily as Mother Nature can giveth, she can also taketh away.
In the meantime, I guess there's football, family, & the possibility of flood tide tailers. The latter could be a decent distraction, the highlight of many an angler's year, although consistently locating them is still a missing ingredient in my salt marsh recipe. I'm not seeking challenge, I'm seeking comfort.
While I do mean to vent, I'm not looking for your sympathy or consolation. My overall quality of life is good. I'm just confused, existing in an odd state of fishing purgatory. It's even become hard to write this blog. I've been doing this for at least a quarter of my life, it's been such a long time since I haven't. Something is missing and I know it's not going to be found anytime soon.
Change is hard. Living five hours from a good trout stream is even harder.
Oh buddy...Hop on a plane next month and you can cure your thirst for trout!! I knew this post was coming. It can't be easy. You are welcome to stay with us anytime. We like species snobs... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks RD. I'd be lying if I wasn't looking at "getaway" fares...
DeleteI don't think I could stand it.
ReplyDeleteYou live in a special place my friend, enjoy it.
DeleteBoo hoo
ReplyDeletePass a tissue.
DeleteGo west young man!
ReplyDeleteIt's calling, no doubt.
DeleteI've got your back Mike. I haven't posted a real trout post since I can't remember when.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should swing by your way for a day of trouting...kill two birds with one stone.
DeleteHoward isn't a bird.
DeleteAnytime Mike. Don't bring clif.
DeleteI bet Valley misses you too.
ReplyDeleteStrange thing was last time I was there it looked so different. Amazing how things move around so much over time, but it's hardly noticeable when you're there all the time.
DeleteI think there is a place in Florida that stocks trout for catch n release in winter. Of course, they can't exactly import mtn Laurel and rocky streams though...
ReplyDeleteYep, Tallahassee. And you've got it, it's less the fish, more the surroundings.
DeleteMike you are a strong man. I haven't fished a small stream in weeks and I'm going nuts.
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well for your Smokies trip.
Thanks for swinging by, hope you're able to get your fix soon.
DeleteHope you find your happy place and wild trout, Mike.
ReplyDeleteIt'll come...
DeleteTrout withdrawal is hell. Have you tried drugs?
ReplyDeleteNo, unfortunately food is my crutch. Now I'm fat too.
Deleteon your next day off get up as early as you can, drive as far as you can, fish as long as you can, drink as much coffee as you can, and drive back. the binge and purge trip will be exhausting in a therapeutic way. otherwise, I've got plenty of notes on Fernie, BC from my last trip or you can come to the driftless. it is hopper/terrestrial season and you can do no wrong on hundreds of miles of streams. we've got a spare bedroom. flights from orlando to MSP starting at a about $230 (https://www.google.com/?client=safari#q=orlando+to+msp+flights&gws_rd=ssl) come on over :)
ReplyDeleteDude, you have no idea how close I am to pulling the trigger.
DeletePull it. Fernie or Driftless. Your room is taken care of in Wisconsin :) I can only fish on weekends though :) warning, your bathroom is bright pink.
DeleteI'm the opposite. I've got trout 15 minutes away from my house but I'd kill for saltwater fishing. If my daughter didn't live here in Colorado, I'd move down to Mexico in a heartbeat and tackle bonefish, permit, barracuda, and jacks.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. We all have our demons.
DeleteI thought you were further south than "5 hrs from trout water". Hell, I'm in central AL and I'm 4hrs from the good stuff. I have a stocked tailrace just under 2hrs away, but I really want the wild trout waters, the awesome surroundings, the exact same stuff you're talking about. It's hard to make the time to do it, because the distance essentially requires an overnight if not two nights.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the overnight thing is the biggest drawback. I actually don't mind the drive up to Georgia, the time sink to and from is the killer. I was so damn spoiled when I lived in Pennsylvania.
Delete