What will this season bring?

[rayfound]

Hey guys/gals, Spring is just around the corner, and I was wondering if you have any goals/experiments you'll be working on this fishing season - anything you hope to discover, understand better, or just try for the first time. Here's Mine:

*Soft Hackles/Wets*

I plan on gaining an understanding of soft hackles more. I plan on starting out with generally having a soft-hackle dropper behind dries most of the time... then hopefully I'll deepen my understanding.

*Saltwater*

I plan on getting out and fishing surf/bays a couple times this year. I've got an 8wt now and damnit, I need to use it.

*Striper*

I want to catch a striper. Aqueduct, Silverwood, whatever. They appeal to me as a powerful gamefish and I want to catch one.

*Salmonids*

I want to catch at least one new species with an adipose fin. Kokanee, cutts, whatever. I want one new species.

*Creeks*

I want to fish at least 2 new SoCal creeks that I've never fished before.


So what about you? What are your goals and hopes for the season?

[Sasha]

Oh I dunno, I hardly ever plan my year out.


So far my only set plans are GTW and some other crappy creek out there

There are a few spots I still want to hit up here. I would post more stuff but this thread is in the public section.

I want to hit the Keys but it looks like it will be a next year thing.

[castaway]

My first 30 pound salmon on the fly, and taking my 2 year old daughter to catch goldens... everything else is gravy.

[beachbum]

Hmmmm. Fishing a lot would be good. Dry fly fishing, with some good hatches, would be even better. I too want to land a big salmon. Hooking them is one thing, landing quite another. Some fishing with guys on the board sounds fun too. Every time I have, it's been a great experience.

To recap, I just want to fish a lot!

[FlyinFish]

First and foremost, fish this water. Ryan and I scoped it out. I'm really excited to fish this place. We're deciding between calling it "Treasure Map Creek" and "Torn Up Front Bumper Creek."


I want to fish HC and/or the Upper O or the gorge as well. The EW may have to wait. Those may not happen with all my escapades to the Owens though, unless I can get the gf to come along.

I want to further explore an area near Lake Cachuma that I call Douglass Creek. As well as a spot on the West side of the Sierras. (Both of these are very conducive to bringing along significant others).

A backpacking trip is a must for this year.

Fishing the GTW opener would be nice, but is at a low level of possibility right now.

Of course improving my tying has been a big goal and it's getting better. I'm almost to where I don't have to buy flies anymore.

I'd also like to take up Czech nymphing. Go the whole nine yards, get a specific rod for it, get the flies, fish it exclusively to learn it better... NOT!

Catch a 50# tuna on a popper (not the fly kind, the big honkin' Japanese kind on a 10 foot jigstick).

[WanderingBlues]

1)Become proficient on my local waters
2)Do a hike-in trip in the Sierra's and C&R a Golden
3)Fish an out of state water
4)Meet & fish with some FFA members
5)Do all of the above with my teenage son.

[Jim T]

Here are the things I would like to learn or places I would like to go this year:

Techniques
Soft Hackles: Learn to tie them and fish them

European Nymphing: Improve my Czech Nymphing and try French Nymphing

Locations:
Fish at least one out of state water (currently scheduled to fish the Green River in UT in April)
Fish Northern California for the first time
Western Sierra’s:
Fish Merced River for the first time
Fish Upper Kings River
Eastern Sierra’s:
Fish East Carson River for the first time
Float Kirman and Heenan Lakes

Now that I have a pontoon boat
1) Fish Newport Bay, San Diego Bay (already went once), Huntington Harbor, and Alamitos Bay
2) Float 3 rivers in my pontoon boat (hopefully Lower Owens, Kern, and Kings)

Bass
Catch bass on the surface
Fish at least 2 new San Diego Lakes (hopefully Barrett and Morena)

Teach someone how to fly fish

Jim

[fly addict]

My goal is to fish for trout, a few trout and more trout! Trout live in the best places. And I don't need to wait for spring to do it. 12 days on the LO and 2 in the local mtns so far this year. As long as the money is there I will fish. Once spring is here I will run up to the EW and the Local streams. The San Juan and Durango are also in the mix. That should take me into June. after that I will see what's up.

Mark

[Eric]

I have two goals this year. To become a better Caster and to teach my brother how to fly fish.
Eric

[midger]

My goals: #1 Pick up where Tiger dropped the ball and #2 take over for Brett Favre now that he's too old to play. I'll need the money they were paying Favre to pay for #1 when I get caught.

As for fishing, just fish when and wherever I can with no particular desires. Oh, but share time with friends on the stream and sharing an after fishing drink.

[ashtree1]

my list:

1) many many fly tying classes
2) lots of float tubing
3) stripers (hopefully)
4) carp
5) many many bass
6) try to hit first creek as well as to learn how to fish'em


I have alot of goals for this year, will be going back where I failed at times to get those fish back that put a beatin on me. its funny because its one of those "if I knew then what I knew now" kind of things. I appreciate the help guys and its a pretty bright outlook for the fly fishing game this year. I remember vividly how many days of frustration and skunking up on the rivers, couldn't have continued success without help from guys on the boards and friends that teach and inspire me to become better.

[Rockstar Fisherman]

[quote="rayfound"]

*Striper*

I want to catch a striper. Aqueduct, Silverwood, whatever. They appeal to me as a powerful gamefish and I want to catch one.

quote]

Definately on my list!! Especially now that I have the gear for them.

I'd like to hit the goldens at ice out but it's not looking like I will due to scheduled travels already in place.

I do want to learn and REMEMBER some new knots this year.

[Bernard]

Fun thread,
As new year's day kicks in, my gears start turning and I look at my calendar and create, delete, re-post all sorts of hypothetical trips. They always get sidetracked by weather, flows or new surprise reports etc etc etc. It drives me nuts. One thing I have been successful at for the last few years is what I call "answering a question". Even if I get skunked, I have places that I simply "gotta see". What does the inlet to bla bla bla reservoir look like as runoff fades? Can I dump a Mt. Bike here, drive here, crawl the canyon and grab my bike to head back to my car? The list goes on and on and I wish I had 10 lifetimes to do it all. Some of these strategies require certain tools. Please meet the newest member of my *...

It will help me meet some of my goals be it Jeep alone, with Kayak or with boat and outboard. There is so much out there. I think my new friend here will help me get there more easily. In closing, fishing more with board members is an ongoing goal as well...
B

[dirtryder219]

Enjoy watching my wife and boys catch LOTS of wild fish

Take my 7 year old on his 1st backpacking trip

24" Brown out of the EW

Explore a lot more of the creeks that the Eastern Sierra's and Southern Sierra's have to offer

Backpack at least once a month starting next month. Tech (Joe)....you down for this? I will bring the BV and Crystal light packs....

[Ming Moua]

I just sent in my two broken rods and hope to get them asap. Can't wait to get them back in time for some early spring fishing.......

This year:
1. Strippers......typo I meant Stripers
2. chase after a member of the Cyprinidae familia.
3. LMB
4. Shad
5. some high county trout stuff

Another thing that I'm looking forward to do this year is to teach more people how to cast a fly rod.... Ming