From the bank · 2 min read
The first fish is not a reason to stay past dark
The first fish is not a reason to stay past dark. Keep the focus on a stop time chosen before the fishing gets good, and keep the water in sight while you do it.
Do it in order
Work from the near bank. Leave when the time arrives. Then look up and see whether the plan still fits the place you are standing.
The usual miss
People lose time to one more cast that becomes a walk out by phone light. Retie, shorten, or reset. Do not negotiate with a setup you already doubt.
Leave only when you are off the water at the time you named. Write nothing down unless that check failed.
This belongs with from the bank because the decision happens before you are committed to the cast.
A bank note, not a forecast or a rule sheet. Check the local regulations before you fish.