Webbed Feet

[rps]

When I was growing up, one of the comic book super heroes had gills and webbed feet. I think his name may have been Aquaman. Anyway, as I sit here and look at the rain and lightning (I don't mind fishing in rain, but I won't fish in lightning), I am beginning to think it would sure help to be like him. I could enjoy this year's weather and I could explore the lake without bulky tanks and awkward equipment.

Questions for the guides: Do many/most of your clients want to fish on a day like today? If they do want to fish, do they expect you to supply the rain gear? Do most of them understand the difference between rain and lightning? Just curious is all.

[Chris Tetrick]

I've never kept anyone out in the lightning. I leave the rain scenerio up to them. Most people would rather wait a downpour out, but the die hard fishermen don't mind getting rained on. I had a guy from New Mexico 3 years ago alomost insist we keep fishing while I was watching a storm with bad lightning from the south blowing in closer to us. I was busy putting my rods in the box ready to haul butt back to Aunts Creek when I guess he threw his shaky head out and asked me what this all about? I looked back to see his line suspended in mid air. Told him it meant I'm getting out of here, and he could go back in with me on the boat or sit on the bank. I imagine still he's cussing my name because I made him loose 2 hours of his fishing trip.

[techo]

I Would rather fish in the rain. I have a great rain suit that its me well. There are less boats on the lake. It isn't so hot that blisters are popping out all over. Lightening is the down side. I try to use a three foot rod and give my partner a seven foot rod! LOL just kidding. Lightning scares me of too.

[focused fishing]

I tell my clients we will fish in the rain but not in lightning. For the most part they bring rain gear and we're all set. Did have one guy similar to the situation Chris had a couple of years ago, he was pretty upset when I ran back to the dock in a lightning storm, offered to wait the storm out on the dock and head back out for the last hour of his trip but he told me the fishing wouldn't be any good after the storm past and walked back to his car PO'd. To bad for him, they bit like trained pigs that afternoon.