Skunkings: Lessons learned

[Brian L]

Good topic, Mike. A continuation of what we chatted about on our way back from our skunk two nights ago, eh?

A wise man once told me if I'm not often failing and making mistakes, I'm not trying hard enough, and I'm falling far short of my potential.

Skunks teach me that I need to be out of my comfort zone often enough to remind me that I'm a mere fraction of the fisherman I want to be. I've done more new spot fishing the last two years than in the previous 5, and as a result have had some of my most fruitless trips, and also some of my most enjoyable and productive. For the last several years I'd been in a comfy, cozy place in my boat in SoCo catching fish on 90+% of my trips with relative ease. I have noticed when I've gone elsewhere this year, I'm reminded that I'm not nearly as sharp as I can, have been, and should be. As a result, I've learned to fish the new areas better, and it's made me think back outside the box again in all the spots I've consistantly/historically caught fish in.