3rd Trip to Tuojiang River Fishing Spots: Persistence Does Pay Off!
My October 23rd Fishing Adventure Begins (Finally!)
Let me start by saying: I’ve been sitting on this fishing trip recap for way too long! Life got in the way, but now I’m hyped to spill all the details of my third quest to find the perfect fishing spot on the Tuojiang River. If you’re a fellow angler who’s ever chased that elusive “good spot” or fought through slow days just for a shot at a catch, this one’s for you.
It was a Saturday, and I hit the road around 2 PM, aiming to reach the river by 3. My target? A rocky stretch of the Tuojiang that I’d heard whispers about. But let me tell you, the drive in was already a headache: the riverside road is so narrow, if you don’t get there early, you’re out of luck for parking. I ended up having to leave my car on the main highway, then trudge 300-400 meters to the water, carrying just one rod to scope things out first. Spoiler: that walk was just the first of many back-and-forth trips that weekend.
When I got to the water, I was shocked—this place was packed! It looked like a fishing tournament, not a casual weekend spot. Everyone was lined up along the banks, and the water was super shallow, only about a meter deep. I knew right then I’d have to hunt hard for a spot that wasn’t already claimed.
The Great Spot Hunt (And A Lucky Break)
I wandered up and down the river, asking every angler I passed how their day was going. The verdict? Almost everyone was coming up empty. Nada, zilch, not even a bite. I was starting to get discouraged until I reached a pointy bend in the river (you know, that classic “point” spot every angler craves). There was a guy from Chengdu packing up his gear, and he told me he’d caught 7 or 8 red-tailed fish that day. When he said he was leaving, I practically did a happy dance—scoring a “hot spot” someone else had already broken in? That’s angler gold!
Of course, getting all my gear down to that spot was a nightmare. I had to make two full trips from the car, hauling coolers, rods, bait, and all my other stuff. By the time I was set up, the sun was starting to dip, and I noticed someone on the opposite bank burning reeds. Not the most peaceful sight, but hey, when you’re chasing fish, you take what you get.
Night Fishing, Train Interruptions, And First Catches
As it got dark, I realized I’d forgotten my snacks in the car. I headed back, and just as I was about to cross the tracks, a train rumbled through. Pro tip: never rush around trains near fishing spots—safety first, always! I waited for it to pass, grabbed my food, and headed back to my spot.
The night started slow. From 8 to 9 PM, I fished a backwater cove and only caught two small boat-nosed fish. I was ready to call it a bust until I moved to the faster current side of the bend—bam, a 2-pound carp took my bait! That single catch gave me the energy to keep going through the night.
The Morning Surprise: Redtails And A Tiny Special Guest
I crashed in my car for a few hours, then headed back to the spot at 7 AM. That’s when the magic started: a school of red-tailed fish moved in! But let me warn you, their bites were so light I could barely feel them. I had to stare at my line like a hawk, waiting for the tiniest twitch. It was frustrating, but every time I hooked one, it was worth it.
By 9 AM, I got another surprise: a small spotted catfish! I knew it was way too young to keep, so I gently released it back into the water. C’mon little guy, grow up big and strong so we can have a rematch someday!
The Great Water Drop-Off: A Fishing Dry Spell
Just when things were going well, the river decided to throw a curveball. By 11 AM, the water level had dropped 50 centimeters! The water was already only 1.3-1.4 meters deep, so that drop made it even shallower. And as soon as the water started receding, the bites stopped completely. Nada, nothing, not even a curious nibble.
I was drained, so I walked back to the main road, found a tiny roadside shop, and made myself a cup of instant noodles (fishing fuel, am I right?). Then I headed back to my car, grabbed a cushion, found a shady spot under a tree, and crashed for a nap. I didn’t wake up until 3 PM—sometimes you just need to recharge when the fish aren’t cooperating.
Afternoon Comeback (And A Random Train Encounter)
When I got back to my spot, the water had risen a little, but it was still slow going. I switched to fishing the fast current with a “dead rod” method (holding the rod still in the flow) since the backwater cove was still completely dead. I waited, and waited, and just as I was about to call it a day, I hooked a 1-pound carp! It wasn’t huge, but it was enough to keep me going.
As I was packing up a little later, two guys from Longquan were leaving too—they’d ridden their motorcycles all the way here, carrying all their gear. Can you imagine? A 1.5-hour motorcycle ride just to fish? Total respect. They’d caught a massive 5-pound carp using corn bait, and it was a beast—short, but super wide-bodied. When they found out I’d parked on the main highway, they offered to help haul my gear up, and I gave one of them a ride back partway. Fishing community for the win, am I right?
The Final Haul: A Weekend Of Ups And Downs
By the end of the trip, here’s what I had to show for my 24+ hours of fishing:
- 7-8 red-tailed fish (from that morning school)
- 2 small boat-nosed fish
- 1 2-pound carp (from the night before)
- 1 1-pound carp (from the afternoon dry spell)
- The tiny spotted catfish that got a free pass
When I got home (it was already 10 PM, yikes), I cooked up all my catches: the big carp got turned into cured dried fish, the smaller one was pan-fried for dinner, and the redtails were steamed. Let me tell you, redtail meat is so tender, but those tiny bones are a nightmare—worth it, but be prepared to pick through every bite.
Oh, and one final little story: as I was packing up, a fellow angler who’d only caught one carp was looking pretty down. I gave him two of my redtails, one big and one small. Seeing his face light up made all the tiredness worth it. That’s the thing about fishing—it’s not just about the catches, it’s about the people you meet and the little kindnesses along the way.
My Big Takeaway From The Trip
If you’d told me at 3 PM on Saturday, when I was trudging to the water with one rod and seeing a packed bank, that I’d end up with a solid haul and some great stories, I would’ve laughed. But this trip taught me something I already knew, but needed a reminder of: persistence pays off in fishing (and in life).
Sure, there were hours of nothing. Sure, I walked back and forth to my car more times than I can count. Sure, the river dropped and messed up my whole rhythm. But if I’d left early when the bites stopped, I would’ve missed that morning school of redtails and the little catfish that made my day. If I’d given up on finding a spot, I never would’ve met that guy from Chengdu who gave me his hot spot.
To all the anglers out there chasing that next great trip: don’t let the slow days discourage you. Keep exploring, keep talking to other fishermen, and keep showing up. You never know when that big catch or that perfect spot is just around the bend.
