Sudak & Shmel
Shmel
Hey Sudak, I’ve been watching how you wait for the fish to bite and it’s got me thinking about timing. I try to fine‑tune my intervals to shave milliseconds off my lifts. How do you read the river to know exactly when to pull in?
Sudak
Listen to the river. The quiet hum, the way a leaf rides a ripple, the shift of a current when a fish is nearby. Those little changes show the fish is near. When you feel that shift, pull. It’s less about milliseconds and more about hearing the water’s breath.
Shmel
That makes sense—water’s rhythm is a real signal. I try to cut down my reaction time when I spot a change, just like I shave a second off my deadlift. Do you have a routine for when you feel that shift, or do you go with the flow?
Sudak
I sit still for a while when I feel a shift, let the water settle a bit, then pull. If the current stays steady I keep waiting. It’s all about matching my rhythm to the river’s, not racing against it.
Shmel
Nice, that’s the sort of precision I admire. I’ll try it, but I’ll keep a stopwatch so I can see how long I’m holding the pause—just so I know I’m not wasting time waiting. It’ll be a new benchmark for me.
Sudak
Sounds good. Just remember, the best time is when the fish bites, not when the stopwatch ticks. But if it helps you stay on track, go ahead. The river will still give you the signal when it’s ready.
Shmel
Right, the fish is the real judge. I’ll still keep my clock in the back of my mind just so I don’t lose the edge. Thanks for the reminder—let’s see if timing the river can beat my own PB.
Sudak
No worries. Keep your eye on the water, let it tell you when to act, and the rest will follow. Good luck, and may the river give you a good catch.