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The Fishing Journal Information GuideWhat should I write in my journal?You’ve decided to start journaling your fishing trips and may have an idea of what needs to be recorded. Here are some things you may or may not have thought about.LocationOkay, so this one is probably the most obvious. Write down where you were fishing so you know at a later time what worked at that location.Date and TimeAnother obvious one, but still important. When were you fishing here? Fishing at the same location will require different tactics and flies at different times of the year.A fish may be more active at low light periods than it would in the heat of the day. Recording the time of day will let you know when the best time to fish is. Water ConditionsHow deep were you fishing? What temperature was the water at? Was the water clear or murky from a rain? All of these conditions will change the tactics you will want to use and the flies that are effective.Weather ConditionsThis goes along with water conditions. How did the weather affect the water conditions? If it affected it dramatically what worked after the changes occurred? Be better prepared next time.Other ObservationsRecord other conditions around you. Were the fish actively feeding or bedded down and harder to lure out?What insects, baitfish, or other natural fish food was plentiful? The FishWhat did you catch and what did you catch it on? You may have cast out a multitude of different flies that day. Record what worked and what didn’t. Was one fly more effective at catching many fish or did you find something that would lure out the big guys.If you went with a friend and you are both using different flies record what he or she was using also. Maybe they found something that was working that they only had enough for one person to fish with. Remember next time to pick up a few of them before you go. Who Did You Meet?Almost every time I go out I pass other anglers who may be reeling in fish after fish. They are usually more than willing to let me know what they are fishing with. A lot of times it is something I had not even thought of.Stop by the fly shop later and pick up a few of the flies they suggest and give them a try. Guide ServiceGuide services are a great way to find the most effective ways to fish a stream or lake you may not know too much about. Record who you used and how well they helped out so you can remember to give them a call next time you fish the area.Local Fly ShopWhen fishing somewhere other than your normal fishing hole it is a good idea to record where the nearest fly shop is. No matter how prepared for a fishing trip I am, I always tend to forget something. Even if I don’t the fly shop clerk hears stories all day about the local fishing and can help give you an idea of what has been working for others.LodgeAnother one for when you are fishing away from home is to record where you stayed. Would you stay there again?Most Memorable MomentsAlthough this is probably not going to help on your next trip it is great for reliving past memories.This should be enough to get you started journaling. Your fishing journal doesn’t need to be a full page stories, just enough to jog our memory for the next trip out. What Type of Journal Should You Get?There are really only two characteristics that are need for a simple fly fishing journal.SizeThe journal should be small enough you can keep it in one of your vest pockets. This way you can easily take it out and jot down whatever information comes to you.It shouldn’t be so small that you have little room to write. You should be able to write all your fishing journal information on one page - front and back. Water ResistantYour journal should have water resistant pages or at the least a case that can protect it from the elements. I prefer to have both. You don’t want all your valuable information soaked and illegible should you happen to drop it in the water.Having a case gives you a spot to put business cards of local guides and other accommodations. A journal doesn’t need to have headings that guide you to what should be written like the ideas above but it sure makes it easier and more organized when looking for something down the road. The time it takes to write your fishing journal information should only take a few minutes and can save you hours the next trip you take. If you have a great story to write, jot down a few ideas to jog your memory and write it down later some place you know it won’t be lost. To leave the Fishing Journal Information guide and find out about the benefits of journaling click here. Find out more about fly fishing for bass and panfish at the home page here. Sign up for our free ezine.To get updates to the site, fly fishing stories, tips and gear information feel free to sign up for our free monthly ezine – Fly Fishing Journal.
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