Do I just suck?

Bailey · by **Bailey** on Fri Feb 18, 2011 5:56 pm

So, I have been going out nearly every other day, if not more since the 1st of january, and I just havent been catching hardly any fish! :((

I have done just about all that I know...drift fishing, spoon fishing, spinners, float fishing, and all I have to show is 1 hatchery buck. A couple trout here and there, but I always hear stories of how crazy good the Applegate is, where guys get 15 fish days and stuff like that, but why the heck have I not been having any luck?? L-)

Throbbit Shane · by **Throbbit Shane** on Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:45 pm

Probably not... You should come fish the upper rogue with me some time...

I left you a reply on your ifish thread too.

hollywood · by **hollywood** on Sat Feb 19, 2011 12:38 am

People are not catching 15 fish a day on the Applegate! Its not an easy river to master and takes different methods and techniques to get into fish. Keep at it, the more you fish it the better you will get. It takes time to learn a river!

klamathsteel · by **klamathsteel** on Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:33 am

Yea, it's possible that you "just suck" but i doubt it. You said you've tried every method, drift, spoon, spinners, floats. I'm definately no expert but here's my advice for what it's worth. Choose the method that best suites you and the water you are fishing and MASTER IT !!
Learn every nook and cranny of the stretch of water you're fishing and fish it hard with your chosen method. Once you start hooking fish (and you will) you can then experiment with other methods because by now you will know their habits and where they tend to hold. Once you learn that you can adjust your methods to maximize your hook rate. Don't get discouraged and don't over complicate things. Fish are fish and they are where they are. Keep at it and have fun, the fish will come.

THE REEL TECH · by **THE REEL TECH** on Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:46 am

Dont get discouraged Bailey. Ksteel said it best, dont over complicate things and try to master one technique at a time, one that suits you best and you can do well. Take THROBBIT up on his offer, he seems to have the spoon thing figured out and he is catching fish. Go with him and learn how he does it if he is willing to share with you. Learning the habits of the fish is important as well. Concentrate on a piece of water and learn it well. Once you learn what the fish do in certain conditions etc, you can apply that elsewhere.

dew · by **dew** on Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:16 am

dido what steel and tech said. we all have boats and have acess to the whole river and we get skunked. thats why its called fishing and not catching. if i gave up 20 yrs ago i wouldnt be the fisherman i am today. try to hook up with someone with some knowledge, and when you find that person respect them for that. trust me it well go a long way. plus you cant catch a fish laying on the couch. "stay thirsty my friend" $\M/$

AlaskaKid · by **AlaskaKid** on Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:34 pm

Bailey wrote:So, I have been going out nearly every other day, if not more since the 1st of january, and I just havent been catching hardly any fish!

I have done just about all that I know...drift fishing, spoon fishing, spinners, float fishing, and all I have to show is 1 hatchery buck. A couple trout here and there, but I always hear stories of how crazy good the Applegate is, where guys get 15 fish days and stuff like that, but why the heck have I not been having any luck??

Well, like everybody tells you, don't get discouraged! I am in the same boat! I went five times to the Wilson and the Clack and got zip everytime! I consider myself a fairly experienced fisherman with the exception of the float method which is the main thing I work on these days! Till Ihave it down pat! So catching a fish will be secondary for me right now, it will be a pleasant byproduct! I am going to try Sandy as Archer suggested here. I heard somebody say on the Clack that the run is over. All the websites claim that the run lasts thru March, so who is right?

Also, when I get tiredof floating, I do throw some spinners and spoons on them.

archer · by **archer** on Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:24 pm

I am no expert spinner fisherman, but all the steelhead I have hooked spinner fishing were when I casted almost straight upstream and brought it straight down. 2c

bran_man · by **bran_man** on Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:04 pm

Trust me I feel the same way sometimes! The winter is just tough straight up! It is definitely a different feeling when you're used to getting at least one if not more fish almost every trip out, to getting skunked almost every trip. I've only caught one this winter!

and that was in the beginning of January! Trust me, you're not the only one. Just gotta stay positive and keep at it. The only thing that every angler can have in common is hope...