What a difference a day (or two Covid years) makes

I am driven and competitive. I compete with myself to do better. I fished with Paul in Malaysia at a fly fishing Conclavein 2012, and took this  photo of one of his first snakehead. I realised at the time that even though I had my CI, I had lots to learn about fly fishing to even be in the game.

We have become friends over the years and fished many places.  I  travelled to Malaysia many times to learn whatever Paul can teach me.

Paul became passionate about catching snakehead...he moved to Malaysia and has perfected a cast the match the task. Start with only a rod length of line outside the rod tip, slip line on the lift, shoot line into the backcast and make fast, accurate shots. Landing a fly inside a teacup at 60’ or more at any angle within 2 seconds sounded like an impossibility, but I started the journey, and on my trip precovid in 2019 I felt confident and competent. Paul described my skills at that stage as “Tim was executing some of the finest shots I’ve seen off the front of my boat.”. I caught some great Snakehead and Giant Gourami.   I was pleased with my progress and the snakehead cast became a regular part of my fly fishing.  It made my saltwater fishing faster and I was catching  a lot of species.

Then along came Covid.  No travel.No fishing.  We are fortunate we have a big backyard and I started throwing loops. I became focused on slipping line into the backcast, maximising carry, and how soft I could cast without causingcounterflex.  I did not practiceaccuracy or the snakehead shot.Even though I use the slip lift and shoot line into the backcast on most of my fishing, I just did not think to practice the snakehead shot…speed and accuracy.

I went back to Malaysia this year in December. My bag was delayed a day so we missed a day fishing. On day 2, I had a serious follow and we were surprised the snakehead did not eat. That was followed by a great eat from a good fish from beside some babies. A great shot and it was all coming together. The fish fell off…we talked about not getting good hookset until I looked at the hook…it was straightened…the first time Paul had ever seen that happen.  From my side it was a big fish…it had my HT10 fully loaded.  Salute to the fish.  Great..I had not lost the touch.

Once a fighting cock..next day a feather duster.  Then things went downhill…I missed some shots…and them some moreeasy shots…the  more I missed the harder I tried, and the more I tried the more I missed. Paul said to me “your cast has changed, you are casting loops, not the fly”…How amazingly perceptive.

Paul asked me one night how I felt.  Not good was my answer...he stewed on that and clearly the answer was not good enough. Did you practice one hour a day during Covid he asked at about 3am..so here is where our lives differ.. Paul has fished 10000 days and lives fly fishing 24/7/365…that is his life.   I run a business, I have a family, and grandkids, and I did not practice 1 hour a day, and when I did I practiced the wrong stuff. And the results showed. No excuses.

What is the message.  If you want to play in the A team, you have to learn the casts and practice.  Snakehead are hard…putting the fly in a teacup within 2 seconds is a challenge.  And if you want to mix with the best you have to give it your best.  Its an interesting comment from fishing guides..theyinvariably say that people going on a golfing holiday will practice golf before they go and yet most people who go on fly fishing trips  do not practice before they go. I did notpractice and the results showed.

So I will practice.  Not just the easy stuff, but all the skills.  Taking your skill base for granted is a dangerous mistake…and it pisses off those who know you can do better. Paul takes no prisoners and I deserved it.

Go snakehead fishing...it frustrating but fun..Paul is a passionate and inspirational teacher. And the battleship is much more comfortable than the Rocket-C!

Merry Xmas to all