Pro Staff writer All Around Angler: Eric Koenig represents Seattle, WA and is a new Special Contributor for AAA and it’s media outlets. Please welcome him as he will be providing us with five new pieces of content pretty much right off the bat. Thank you, Eric, and welcome! H3llcat
Why make a journal?
I believe that making a fishing journal is an important tool that is much underutilized. It’s one of the simplest things to do, writing in a journal after a long day on the water. It can seem like a pain but it can ultimately help you catch more fish in the long run. A journal simply helps you reflect on what happened during the day and what really stood out in your mind.
As we anglers get older we tend to forget some details of past fishing trips. A journal is an easy way to go back and see what worked or didn’t work in the past. A benefit to having a journal is the ability to look back and know if the water levels are fishable.
Being able to go back and look into records of past years that you fished on a particular system definitely will pay dividends. Journals are especially helpful if you do not have the luxury to fish every day like most of us do. I am always looking back into my journal to see if the conditions are going to be favorable on my next trip. Conditions do not have to be favorable to catch fish or to go out on the water.
Multiple times this year I have made it out on the water with terrible conditions and I was still able to get into a lot of fish. Knowing when not to go can save you from wasting time out on the water.
WAYS TO MAKE A JOURNAL
1. Go the simple route and purchase a composition book
2. Make a template using Microsoft Word (My Favorite)
3. Make a journal online
EXAMPLE OF MY JOURNAL
WHAT GOES INTO YOUR JOURNAL?
The best thing about a journal is you can write whatever you want in it such as date, methods used, water clarity and weather. I personally am obsessed with the details so I like to record just about everything about a given day. Some of those details may include what egg cure was hot or color the fish were really keying in on. I not only like to take notes of what worked for me, but if others are catching I write down what they were using as well. At the end of the day, just go out on the water and fish. Nothing is better than getting experience on the water.
Tight Lines
Eric Koenig
AAA Pro-Staff
Eric – welcome aboard. Very nice article on keeping journals. I have always thought it was a great idea but have never had the discipline after fishing to sit down and do it. Your template is a great idea. I especially like the idea of the flow graph and can see some real value in doing that as opposed to trying to remember. I will see if I can give it a go. Sal
Great comment dad