Not a complete surprise.

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I was running a bit behind the stated goal, but only by an half hour.  Give or take.  Between real flat time, my wrist watch, and the clock in the auto, time is... variable.  Still, I am almost sure I was out by noon thirty.  I even set my pack, if I skipped the water purifier.  I couldn't find my canteens.  And I want to set up the charcoal filter... for flavor.  River water is river water.  Even if clean, it can have an fishy taste.  I'll get that arranged for my next trip out.  Out and up the canyon, to an area I have seen people fishing.  I went up to nearly the last camping/picnic area before the high flat valley area.  It turns out that hiking the river is rather a limited thing, if you wish to stay dry.  I would even guess there are areas I would not attempt even with waders.  Too narrow and too fast.  But I did get in as far as I could, looked for fish (didn't see any, but I am a bit of a noob).

There are places where I am almost certain fish might be.  Couldn't see a single fish, but after having watched my father fish for some great time, I did take notes.  And while it is second hand, in a way, I believe I might do quite well.  No dry flies for those areas.  A bottom fly, low and slow, if I remember rightly.  I watched him fish for a number of summers.  I paid as much attention as a per-pubescent probably can.  Perhaps more so than the average.  I really wanted to fish.  But at that age, still a growing lad, I didn't have the coordination, and thus the confidence.  Plus, I knew every minute he wasted on a gangly kid was time out of his fishing.  Something he only got to do, and not daily, a month out of the year.  Plus, I could cheer when he landed a good one, or found that hidden one, or pushed his skill and kit, even for a small one.  I would, from time to time, ask a question.  Not enough to be a bother, but if there was something I didn't quite understand.  Mostly I just watched.

My sunglasses will do.  I wasn't sure if they were polarized, but I could easily see into the water.  Fish, as I recall, can blend in.  More shadow, or ghost, especially in some water.  Knowing where they prefer to be, to feed or rest, is your best bet.  You simply can't always see them.  And, seeing them doesn't mean they will bite.  And yet, it is good, once in a while, to spot them.  It allows you to practice different things, see what it is you can do to trigger a strike, for all times and sometimes just for certain times.  I have that ability, now to just spot them.  As I go up, each time, for a reconnoiter, I will practice spotting fish.  Each time, I will go to a different area.  I am getting hungry for trout sashimi.  And I really enjoyed the, even if short and uneventful, tracking in the out of doors.  And, on the way back home, I checked my mail.  The last of the gear I ordered was in... a fishing net.  I need to get a magnetic breaker for it.  I have been looking.  I would like to compare prices locally, from now on, for anything I buy. 

Tomorrow, actually, I think I may go out again.  I have something both Tuesday and Thursday that require me to be into town, and something Saturday.  I might be able to double duty those days, since I will be out anyway.  Pushing for longer days out, more active days, and social activity, and maybe target practice.  I should be able to get my friend out two of those days.  But hiking days I have to do solo, at least that part of the day.  If he gets his leg going, perhaps we can get him out fishing.  Doubt if he is all that interested, but you never know.  A good way to get his leg practiced, once he gets on it, without thinking about it though.  Just not along a riverbank.  There are lakes to fish, and I have chairs so it doesn't have to be as hard as standing full time.

Now to see if I can get some things done here at home.  It's a fine day.  Topping it off with a little house duty would be good.  Time, only, will tell.  Good day.