Why My Wife Calls Me a “Thick-Skinned” Angler (and Why She’s Half-Right)
They say fishing people are “thick-skinned”—but I never got what that meant until my wife started teasing me about it. Every time I come home from a fishing trip, she’ll roll her eyes and say, “You could’ve stayed home, sipping tea, chatting with friends, or even watching a movie instead of sitting by the river, hungry and muddy, right?”
Honestly, I get her point sometimes. After a long day at work, the last thing I want is to be cold, tired, or empty-handed. But there’s something about sitting by the water that feels… *necessary*. Even if I come back empty, just being there, reeling in the line, and watching the water flow makes me feel alive. My wife knows this too, I think. She’ll grumble about me staying out late, but deep down, she’s just worried I’ll hurt myself or miss something. That’s why she calls me “thick-skinned”—because I keep going back, even when it’s frustrating.
But enough about my wife’s lectures. Let’s talk about the real reason I’m here: a new fishing spot I stumbled upon. It’s on a small river near the highway, nothing fancy at first glance, but I’ve got a feeling there’s something special there. Let me backtrack: I tried it twice before—once at night, once in the morning—and both times I went home with nothing. That’s frustrating! But I’m stubborn; I refused to believe it was a bad spot. So I decided to go back again.
First Impressions: A New Spot with a Puzzle
The river is about 100 meters long, straight, with a deep pool in the middle—maybe 2 meters deep. I thought, “How can a deep pool like that not hold fish?” But two nights and two mornings later, I caught nothing. No bait, no fish, just me and my rod. The water was clear, the current was steady, and the riverbank was quiet. I started to wonder if I’d made a mistake with the spot. Maybe the fish weren’t there? Or maybe I was just having an off day.
Wait, no. I’ve fished enough to know the weather and time of day matter. Let me check the details: the river is a “straight flow” type, so water moves quickly, but the deep pool should still attract fish. Maybe the timing was wrong? The first two trips were in the evening and early morning, when the water temperature might have been too low. Anglers often say fish are less active in cooler temps, so maybe they’re more active in the afternoon?
The Day I Finally Got It Right: September 24th
So, yesterday afternoon—September 24th, to be exact—I packed up my gear and headed back. This time, I paid close attention to the weather and timing. Let me share the details so you can learn from my experience:
- Date: September 24th
- Location: A hidden spot on the local river, near a new development area off the main road
- Weather: Cloudy, 13–20°C (75–68°F), fishing index 92% (according to my app, which I trust!)
- Equipment: 5.4m rod, 1.5+1.0 line setup, self-tied hooks (size 3 Izu)
- Bait: Fish meal (70%) mixed with flour (30%) for chumming, then switched to live red worms later
I started chumming the water around 2 PM. The river was calm, not too windy, and the temperature felt just right. I cast my line into the deep pool and waited. At first, nothing. But then, around 4 PM, I saw the float move. Not a big twitch, just a slow, steady sink. I struck, and—*bam*—a fish! Not a big one, but a nice crucian carp, about half a pound. I kept going, and for the next two hours, the fish bit consistently. Here’s the breakdown:
- 9 crucian carps total (9 in total, all around 0.5–1.0 kg)
- 6 fish over 0.5 kg (half a pound)
- 1 fish over 1 kg (a nice “big brother” crucian)
- No small fish or other species—just these fat, happy crucians!
Check out the photos to see my haul! (Don’t mind the dirt on my hands—fishing is messy, but it’s worth it.)
By 6 PM, the bite slowed down, and my wife called to say it was dinner time. I packed up, tired but happy. The key? I’d been trying the wrong times before. The river’s fish are active in the afternoon, especially when the temperature is just right (13–20°C). Live bait (red worms) worked better than the chum I used earlier, too—maybe because the water was cooling down.
Lessons from the New Spot: Why Timing Is Everything
Let me share what I learned from this experience, because I know other anglers might struggle with new spots too:
1. Don’t Give Up After One or Two Trips
I almost quit this spot after two empty sessions! But I’m glad I didn’t. New spots take time to figure out—fish might be there but just not biting at certain times. If you try once and it’s empty, try again at a different time. Maybe morning vs. afternoon vs. night works better for your local water.
2. Understand Your Water’s “Personality”
My river is a straight, fast-flowing stream with a deep pool. I knew the deep pool was the key, but I didn’t realize the fish only came out when the temperature was warmer. In cooler weather, they’re slower, so they wait for the afternoon sun to warm up the water. If I’d tried a different time, like midday when it was hot, maybe it would’ve been worse!
3. Adapt to the Weather and Temperature
When the weather cools down (13–20°C is perfect for crucians!), live bait outperforms prepared bait. The fish are hungrier and more active in cooler temps, so they’ll bite on worms or small insects. If it’s hot, maybe try lighter bait or evening sessions. Always check the weather app—my 92% fishing index was a huge hint!
4. Trust Your Gut (and Your Gear)
I knew the deep pool should hold fish, so I didn’t doubt the spot. If you’re confident a spot is good, keep testing different times. And don’t forget to use the right gear: a 5.4m rod is perfect for river fishing, and the line setup (1.5+1.0) was strong enough to handle the crucians without breaking.
Why This Matters (and Why You’ll Love It)
At the end of the day, fishing isn’t just about catching fish—it’s about the peace, the adventure, and the feeling of discovery. When I finally caught that first fish, I felt like I’d cracked a puzzle. And when I saw all those crucians in the net, I knew it was worth every muddy step. Plus, my wife? She still teases me, but she’ll probably ask where I got the fish for dinner. Win-win!
So, to all you fellow anglers: don’t be afraid to explore new spots. They might seem quiet or empty at first, but with patience and the right timing, you’ll be rewarded. And hey, if your wife teases you, just smile and say, “Wait till you see the fish I caught!” Trust me, she’ll be impressed.
Until next time, happy fishing! Remember: the best catches come from exploring new spots *and* learning when the fish are biting. Good luck out there!
