While fishing with Tommy Holloway and Russ Hamilton at Clarks Hill for a Georgia Outdoor News article, Russ said "The fish have left the pattern we are fishing." When I asked him how he knew, he said he just felt it. That feeling may come from lots of time on the water, close observation of conditions, knowledge of the fish and other factors.
I get that feeling a few time a year - when I just know I am, or am not, going to catch fish. Russ told me he gets it at least one timea day while fishing. The feeling I get usually comes while thinging about how I am going to fish and where, and it probably comes from putting together past experiences on the same lake. The same thing probably happens to Russ and other pro fishermen based on the same factors.
Can anyone reach that level with practice? Can it be taught? Is there a set of data or information you can learn that will put you on that level? Can anyone become a professional baseball player with enough practice? Probably not. The same goes for great musicians, race car drivers, writers, photographers and anything else that takes a special talent.
I think a tiny number of people have a special gift for catching fish. And that gift may vary specifically for bass, crappie, or walleye, or it may be fishermen with that special talent could become excellent pro fishermen for whatever species they concentrate on, but I do think there is a talent I do not have. And never will.
I will be happy fishing a lot, catching fish when I can and enjoying it at all times. I know I will never be a pro and make a living at it. It is still fun and I plan on enjoying every minute on the water! I will learn all the tips I can, gather all the information available, and catch as many fish as possible!
