You Do What You Gotta - Jun 3, 2018

You Do What You Gotta

David Hutton, Palmetto Fly N Fish, ©2018

"Man, its hot," I said, to myself.
"No, strike that - it's FRIGGIN' hot."
We're talking sweat in your eyes, but you can't see anyway because the glare is burning out your retinas. That kinda hot.

Temperature in the mid 90's, heading to 100.
The sun is a cutting torch, and I left the house way too late to avoid it.
Oh well, you do what you gotta.

The Launch Point

The Cumberland float tube and I went to a place I call, "Barstow Bay" to fish, what I call, "The Cove and Rocks."
If you'll notice, my float tube launch site shown above is a boat ramp... yes, I launched my float tube from a boat ramp. 
Hey, I'm no fan of slipping down mud banks to reach the water. 

Trekking miles with a float tube on my back, horseflies biting my backside the whole way.... well, that is also not on my list of favorite things.
I'll take a boat ramp if I can get it. 
Fortunately, The Cove and Rocks are adjacent to the ramp. This makes it an easy launch, my butt is safe from the carnivorous flies, and there's fishing to either side. 

This site usually produces decent bluegill, some bass, and the occasional water snake for company. In fact, the nicest bluegill I've caught on the fly at this lake came outta here. 
But today, it was nuttin.'
I wasn't skunked, so that's something. I caught two dinks - but it was a dismal showing for 5 hours.

Skunk Beater Dink

The View Astern

Mayfly's Demise

While out, I ran across a few large mayfly "spents," i.e., adult flies that have died and are floating in the water. These "spents" are a creamy yellow, and are a common sight this time of year. 

I'm 90% sure they are the much acclaimed hexagenia limbata. 

Fly fishermen drool at that name, I assure you.

All mayflies spend their juvenile lives as aquatic nymphs, and these are an inch or so long. They spend their subsurface time scrounging around, burrowing on the bottom. 

Then at some magical signal known only to them, they rise up to the surface and emerge into the muggy night air of June. 

Large swarms of horny mayflies soon fill the dark skies. 

Essentially, mayflies are flying sex organs with only one purpose....

Once their mating flights are over, the adults fall back to the water and expire. 

There, they float on the wind and currents until they are eaten, sink, or drift ashore for good. The life of a mayfly is short, frenetic... and glorious.

Now, I say they're "eaten" like it's a possibility, and you'd think these things floating along would be an easy feast. 

But, I've never seen the first one of these 'spents' taken by a fish. They just drift away and disappear among the flotsam along the shore. And when I say big mayflies, well...see the pics below:

Mayfly, 2" Wingspan

Spent, Dead and Drifting

Dressed For Float Tubing

Warm Water, 2-3 ft., Visibility, Stained

Moving on from the mayfly porn, I noted the water itself was quite warm; I'd estimate high 70's. 

Any thought of Spring coolness is adios, amigo. 

Given that, I leave my waders at home starting about mid-May, and just wear cotton pajama pants until September or so.  

Cotton pajama pants? Yeah, I know how that sounds, but hear me out.

These pants are comfortable, loose and non-clingy, and they keep the sun off the top of my legs.
You brown-skinned guys may have heard about people like me - I'm the proverbial burnt lobster after just an hour in the sun.
Therefore, anything that keeps me from cooking is a good thing.
Plus I have a phobia about going bare legged in the water, especially if I get out to wade, or go ashore for Nature calls.

They sell wading pants, of course; they sell most anything you could want. 

But I'm never gonna spend $150 on something like that - I get the P.J.'s at the Goodwill for a buck or two. 

Their chief drawback is they lack functional pockets, but that's why I have a fishing vest and a float tube with pockets.

And in case you wondered, Mickey Mouse or Star Wars pajama pants are not worn. Strictly solid colors. 

Hey, I may be weird, but I have some dignity.

Ending Load Out

Along with the P.J. pants I go a'fishing with the following:

• Vest full of "stuff"
• Long sleeve shirt
• Head/Neck protective Buff
• Big-ass Hat
• Sunglasses
• Suspenders (holds up the P.J.pants)
• Neck Lanyard with tools
• Flies/tackle
• Spare tube valves, pump, patch kit
• Water

Just water; I rarely eat while I'm fishing by myself, except maybe a granola bar or a little half-sandwich.

The fins I use get some questions on occasion, so I'll mention them. These are Mares 'Avanti Quattro's.' I picked them up for $35, used, on ebay (but like new). 
A long-time float tube user of my acquaintance recommended them, based on his years of experience.... and that was good enough for me.
They are quite flexible due to their segmented design, with a long power stroke. 
They are also very efficient; small flicks of the tips are enough to move you smoothly. 
Really bearing down on them gets up some speed. 
They are a little cumbersome, but they're scuba fins, after all...not ballet slippers.

I pair them with scuba reef boots - zippered neoprene booties with a molded rubber sole.

TIP: Never walk forward wearing scuba fins. Backwards is the way to go. Don't ask me how I learned this.

What Didnt Work

The Flies of Failure

I tried most every kind of fly I needed to, but it wasn't much use.

* Top water poppers, sliders, bugs - all they got were a few half-hearted swats from the fish.
* Subsurface nymphs, streamers, critters and crawlers - these got a couple nibbles, at best. 

I worked the water column from the surface down to about 6 ft., per my usual system, but it was to little avail.
Both fish were caught on or near the surface, right up against the shore, and tight under overhanging trees. 

I should also mention that some fairly solid casting skills are required to land a fly under shrubs and trees, under these conditions.
And... since I'm only half skilled, more than a few flies had to be rescued from tree branches.
This is in addition to all the usual underwater snags and hang ups.

Some deer came down to watch me for awhile; they twitched their ears and smugly giggled like only deer can.
I know they did. 
No snakes appeared, either, which is a little disappointing. 
They tend to keep you on your toes. 

The Future
Personally, I think with the Hot Season upon us, these close-to-shore spots are played out during the day. I'll pack along my sinking line next time, head straight for the second depth break, and go with large nymphs, Woolly Buggers, and bucktails. 
If that is a no-go, well..., it'll be Beetle Spins, cane poles, and worms.

Hey, you do what you gotta.

Thanks, and Tight Lines,

David
Palmetto Fly N Fish

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