Looking for Clarity

[Onslow]

Several weeks ago, Jim and I had a play date on the books.  It rained. Today was the reschedule date.  I have been longing for more Yaddy time, but training thunderstorms drenched ease Wilkes and Surry, as well as a chunk of the New basin over the weekend.  We made plans for the D and the D.  Oh, the rain wasn't done.  High Point was throttled early this week. Jim didn't want to purchase a Va license even though he lives within 30 miles of the border.  One of the options looked clear on my way home from Wilmington, but I should have pulled at the boat ramp for a closer look.

The place we chose requires a hike/boat cart in at a trib, then paddle to the main event. I would learn soon enough the main river was still a bit dingy.  Damn it. There was a transition zone where the waters met.  Fish were all over.  I managed to get a 4 pound bass to munch (first fish), but my leader broke off at the butt section.  The fish initially seemed a bit confused and wasn't fighting hard...not associating the hookup with humans, but when I lifted the net for a scoop, she went ballistic, drove deep and took line, but I had the line in fingers with net in the other hand.  Too much resistance, and that 5 year old leader butt failed. Gone was my only clawdad on hand...the sling pack didn't make it in the van.

The phone rang, it was Erik returning a call from yesterday.  As I was discussing the New, a monster bass just sauntered out into the light.  It was 24-25".  Missed my chance while jabber jawin.

We went down a mile.  Along the way I managed to loose a very heavy #2 woolly jigger to a 12" turtle.  Good luck getting the hook out of the leathery legs. Damn thing kept on trying to bite me. Had some fun with a gar and caught a couple.

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Jim caught some.

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I paddled up a mile from the confluence.  Wind was stiff, no bass.  Water looked good, but the fish had shut down by noon and we did not start early.

Went up the trib a bit so ascertain whether or not any nice fish could be found, and whether it could be floated in the Spring.  Answer:  No and no.  Wading up this Piedmont flow was more treacherous than any trout pisser I've fished in recent years.  Definitely too old for such nuttery.   It is also hard to believe this beautiful place is less than an hour from RTP. 

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In hindsight, I probably should have hit the New.  I don't fish the New, but the Yadkin is off the table for a while due to all the rain.

[bmadd]

E can mess up everything