Fishing in the Rain: River Shrimp, Trash, and a Frustrating (But Fun) Day on the Water

Happy National Day to all my fellow anglers out there! This holiday, I finally got the chance to escape the daily grind and hit the water-even if it meant fishing in the rain. Let me tell you, this wasn’t your typical successful fishing trip. Instead, it was a day full of surprises, laughs, and a whole lot of river shrimp (and trash) that made me question if the fish had all moved to a secret spot!

Why I Hit the Water on a Rainy National Day

First off, let’s set the scene. My wife took the kids to her parents’ place for the holiday, so I had the whole day to myself. The forecast said it would rain for three straight days, but I’m not one to let a little drizzle stop me. I’ve always heard that rainy days are great for fishing-fish love the low light and the extra oxygen in the water, right? So I grabbed my gear, swapped my old 4.5-meter rod for my 5.4-meter one (it’s the longest I have, even if it’s not perfect), and headed out.

Before I left, I made sure to pack my fishing umbrella. Rainy days mean wet gear, and I didn’t want to spend the whole day soaked. Plus, safety first-slippery riverbanks are no joke, especially when you’re focused on your float.

Arriving at the Fishing Spot: Crowds on a Rainy Holiday

When I got to the bridge where I planned to fish, I was shocked. Even with the rain, the place was packed with anglers! I guess everyone else had the same idea: National Day + rainy day = perfect fishing weather. My usual go-to spot was already taken, so I had to settle for a more open area with no obstacles. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than nothing.

As I set up my rod, I noticed the rain was getting lighter. I decided to hold off on putting up the umbrella for a bit-no need to drag it out if I didn’t have to. I baited my hook with some worms, used a running sinker rig (so easy, no need to mess with adjusting floats all day), and tossed in some pellets to chum the water. Let’s be real: I’m here to relax, not to become a fishing scientist. If I have to study fish behavior or perfect my bait mix every time I go out, what’s the point? Fishing should be fun, not a second job!

The First “Big Catch” That Wasn’t a Fish

My 5.4-meter rod is a cheap one, so it’s pretty heavy. I don’t use it much, but I thought the extra length might help me reach deeper water where the big fish might be hiding. I started with a 1.0-pound test line, but after 20 minutes of no bites (just my worms getting nibbled), I switched to a 0.8-pound line with a size 3 hook. It felt like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly, but I was desperate for a bite.

I pulled out my phone and started playing solitaire while I waited. Just as I was about to win a hand, I looked up and saw my float was gone! I dropped my phone, grabbed the rod, and felt a huge tug. The rod bent way down-this was a big one! I thought for sure I had a carp on the line. I reeled it in slowly, my heart racing… and then I saw it: a shoe. A random, soaking wet shoe someone had thrown into the river. Ugh! All that excitement for nothing. I tossed the shoe back into the water (don’t worry, I didn’t leave it there-someone else can deal with it) and went back to my game.

Around this time, four or five other anglers set up next to me. Holiday fishing is always more fun with friends (even if they’re strangers), so we started chatting. They were talking about adjusting their floats and mixing bait, but I just nodded along. I’m here for the chill, not the technical stuff.

River Shrimp Invasion: Why Can’t I Catch a Real Fish?

After a while, my float started moving slowly. I thought, “Finally! A fish!” I lifted the rod, and sure enough, I had something… but it was a river shrimp. A one-legged river shrimp, at that. What is with these things? They’re everywhere! I’ve fished this river for years, and I’ve never seen so many shrimp. It’s like they’ve taken over. Where are all the fish?

This year, the river’s been weird. Usually, fall brings big carp, grass carp, and even some catfish or yellow catfish. But this year? Nothin’. Anglers are asking, “How many fish did you catch?” instead of “How much did you weigh?” It’s sad. I’m worried if this keeps up, the river will be dead in a few years. No fish, just shrimp and trash. That’s not what I signed up for.

I kept fishing, but every time I lifted the rod, it was another shrimp (or a shrimp leg). I was about to pack up when a sudden downpour hit. I scrambled to put up my umbrella-thank goodness I brought it! The rain was pouring, so I decided to stay a little longer. Maybe the shrimp would leave, and a real fish would take the bait.

The Rain That Wouldn’t Quit (and Another “Catch”)

Just as I got the umbrella up, the rain slowed down again. Are you kidding me? I sat there for 20 more minutes, no bites. I started taking down the umbrella to leave, and boom-rain again! I swear, the sky was playing tricks on me. I sighed, put the umbrella back up, and threw my line in one more time.

This time, I put my phone away and focused on the float. I stared at it for what felt like forever, and then-bam! The float dipped, then went under. I lifted the rod, and this time, I felt weight. The rod bent, and I could feel something moving under the water. It wasn’t a big fish, but it was something! My neighbor anglers looked over and yelled, “Big one! Take it slow!” I reeled it in carefully, my heart pounding… and then I saw it: another river shrimp, this time tangled in a plastic bag full of mud. That’s why it felt heavy! I was so mad I wanted to throw my rod into the river.

That was it. I packed up my gear, even though the rain was still drizzling. I’d had enough of shrimp and trash. I just wanted to go home, dry off, and forget about this frustrating day.

Final Thoughts: Fishing Isn’t Always About the Catch

As I drove home, I thought about the day. It wasn’t a successful fishing trip by any means. I didn’t catch a single fish-just shrimp, a shoe, and a plastic bag. But you know what? I had fun. I got to escape the house, chat with some fellow anglers, and enjoy the quiet of the river (even with the rain). Fishing isn’t always about bringing home a big haul. Sometimes, it’s about the experience-the fresh air, the wait, and even the silly moments that make you laugh later.

To all my fellow anglers: Happy National Day! I hope your holiday fishing trips are better than mine. May you catch big fish, avoid the shrimp, and stay dry (or at least not get caught in a never-ending rainstorm). Tight lines!